ADAU1966A Data Sheet
Rev. A | Page 14 of 52
THEORY OF OPERATION
DACs
The 16 ADAU1966A DAC channels are differential for improved
noise and distortion performance and are voltage output for
simplified connection. The DACs include on-chip digital
interpolation filters with 68 dB stop-band attenuation and linear
phase response, operating at an oversampling ratio of 256×
(48 kHz range), 128× (96 kHz range), or 64× (192 kHz range).
Each channel has its own independently programmable
attenuator, adjustable in 255 steps in increments of 0.375 dB.
Digital inputs are supplied through six serial data input pins
(two channels on each pin), a common frame clock (DLRCLK),
and a bit clock (DBCLK). Alternatively, any one of the time domain
multiplexed (TDM) modes can be used to access up to 16 channels
on a single TDM data line.
The ADAU1966A has a low propagation delay mode; this
mode is an option for an fS of 192 kHz and is enabled in Register
DAC_CTRL0[2:1]. By setting these bits to 0b11, the propagation
delay is reduced by the amount listed in Table 6. The shorter delay
is achieved by reducing the amount of digital filtering; the negative
impact of selecting this mode is reduced audio frequency response
and increased out-of-band energy.
Because AVDDx is supplied with 3.3 V, each analog output pin
has a nominal common-mode (CM) dc level of 1.5 V. With a 0 dB
full-scale digital input signal, each pin swings approximately
±1.42 V peak (2.83 V p-p and 2 V rms). Therefore, the voltage
swing differentially across the two pins is 5.66 V p-p (4 V rms). The
differential analog outputs require a single-order passive differential
resistor-capacitor (RC) filter only to provide the specified DNR
performance; see Figure 10 or Figure 11 for an example filter. The
outputs can easily drive differential inputs on a separate printed
circuit board (PCB) through cabling as well as differential inputs
on the same PCB.
If more signal level is required, or if a more robust filter is needed,
a single op amp gain stage designed as a second-order, low-pass
Bessel filter can be used to remove the high frequency out-of-
band noise present on each pin of the differential outputs. The
choice of components and design of this circuit is critical to yield
the full DNR of the DACs (see the recommended passive and
active circuits in Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, and Figure 13).
The differential filter can be built into an active difference amplifier
to provide a single-ended output with gain, if necessary. Note that
the use of op amps with low slew rate or low bandwidth can cause
high frequency noise and tones to fold down into the audio
band; exercise care when selecting these components.
The ADAU1966A offers control over the analog performance
of the DACs; it is possible to program the registers to reduce the
power consumption with the trade-off of lower SNR and THD + N.
The reduced power consumption is the result of changing the
internal bias current to the analog output amplifiers.
Register DAC_POWER1 to Register DAC_POWER4 present four
basic settings for the DAC power vs. performance in each of the
16 channels: best performance, good performance, low power, and
lowest power. Alternatively, in Register PLL_CLK_CTRL1[7:6], the
LOPWR_MODE bits offer global control over the power and
performance for all 16 channels. To select the low power or
lowest power settings, set Bit 7 and Bit 6 of the DAC_POWERx
registers to 0b10 or 0b11, respectively. The default setting is 0b00.
This setting allows the channels to be controlled individually
using the DAC_POWERx registers. The data presented in Table 11
shows the result of setting all 16 channels to each of the four
settings. The SNR and THD + N specifications are shown in
relation to the measured performance of a device at the best
performance setting.
The voltage at CM, the common-mode reference pin, can be
used to bias the external op amps that buffer the output signals
(see the Power Supply and Voltage Reference section).
CLOCK SIGNALS
Upon powering the ADAU1966A and asserting the PU/RST pin
high, the part starts in either standalone mode (SA_MODE) or
program mode, depending on the state of SA_MODE (Pin 46).
The clock functionality of SA_MODE is described in the
Standalone Mode section.
In program mode, the default for the ADAU1966A is for the
MCLKO pin to feed a buffered output of the MCLKI signal on
the MCLKI/XTALI pin. The default for the DLRCLK and DBCLK
ports is slave mode; the DAC must be driven with a coherent set
of master clock, frame clock, and bit clock signals to function.
The MCLKO pin can be programmed to provide different clock
signals using Register PLL_CLK_CTRL1[5:4]. The default, 0b10,
provides a buffered copy of the clock signal that is driving the
MCLKI pin. Two modes, 0b00 and 0b01, provide low jitter clock
signals.
The b00 setting yields a clock rate between 4 MHz and 6 MHz,
and the b01 setting yields a clock rate between 8 MHz and 12 MHz.
Both of these clock frequencies are scaled as ratios of the master
clock automatically inside the ADAU1966A. As an example, an
input to MCLKI of 8.192 MHz and a setting of 0b00 yield an
MCLKO of (8.192/2) = 4.096 MHz. Alternatively, an input to
MCLKI of 36.864 MHz and a setting of 0b01 yield an MCLKO
frequency of (36.864/3) = 12.288 MHz. The 0b11 setting disables
the MCLKO pin.
Table 11. DAC Power vs. Performance
Register Setting Best Performance Good Performance Low Power Lowest Power
Total AVDDx Current 60 mA 53 mA 47 mA 40 mA
SNR Reference −0.2 dB −1.5 dB −14.2 dB
THD + N (−1 dBFS Signal) Reference −1.8 dB −3.0 dB −5.8 dB