28128 Parallax Inc, 28128 Datasheet - Page 75

• Manufacturer Part Number: 28128
• Description: KIT BASIC ANALOG/DIGI PARTS ONLY
• Manufacturer: Parallax Inc

Specifications of 28128

• Accessory Type: ADC, DAC
• Product: Microcontroller Accessories
• For Use With/related Products: BASIC Stamp® 2 and Board of Education
• Lead Free Status / RoHS Status: Lead free / RoHS Compliant

Chapter 3: Basic Analog to Digital Conversion · Page 65
Why did I learn it?
There is a wide variety of electronic applications where analog signals are measured and
digital devices are used to process the analog signal data. In this experiment, we used a
BASIC Stamp and A/D converter combination to construct a digital DC voltmeter. We'll
be using the BASIC Stamp DC-DVM in several of the remaining experiments. There is a
surprising variety of uses for such a device as you will discover with each new
experiment.
How can I apply this?
In developing the digital voltmeter, the process of sampling voltage, converting it, and
processing it in digital form was introduced. An example of another use for an A/D
interface is the digital sampling of the analog signal from a microphone for digital
recording purposes. Another example that could make use of the circuit we built is a
door sensor. Our potentiometer could be attached to a door hinge, and the analog
information could be used to monitor how far the door is open. This circuit could in turn
be incorporated into a larger system that controls how far open the door swings.
The field of analog to digital conversion is an industry in itself. There are semi-conductor
manufacturing companies that specialize solely in creating A/D conversion chips and
systems. Whether you’d like to design at the component level, or at the integrated circuit
level, there will always be a need for creative analog interfacing – simply because the
world isn’t black and white (binary), it’s all the colors in-between as well (analog).