Texas Instruments ADS1230REF User Manual page 6

Getting Started
1.5 Connecting Other Signal Sources
In general, the ADS1230REF can accurately measure any voltage in the input range of the ADS1230
ADC, as long as the following rules are observed:
• Never apply a negative voltage to the inputs of the ADS1230REF. The ADS1230 cannot accept
negative voltages at its input. Applying negative voltages may damage both the device and the
ADS1230REF. (The negative signs used in some signal names indicate inversion, not polarity.)
• For single-ended signals, ground the negative input or connect it to 2.5V. 2.5V is available from a
voltage divider by shorting J7; see
• The input range of the amplifier on the ADS1230 does not extend to the supplies. See the
data sheet for details.
Note that Scale mode is designed only for use with load cells. Although it can be tested with a voltage
source or resistive divider, Scale mode does not, in general, display meaningful data unless a load cell is
connected and calibration is performed.
1.6 Connecting an External Clock
To connect an external clock, connect a clock oscillator to the EXTCLK test point. No settings need to be
changed; the ADS1230 will automatically use the attached clock.
The clock source must conform to 3.3V TTL or CMOS logic rules.
1.7 Common Tasks
1.7.1 Shorted-Input Noise Test
The noise measurements given in the product data sheet are taken with the inputs shorted to 2.5V. These
noise measurements can be replicated on the ADS1230REF with no external hardware. To set up these
measurements on the ADS1230REF, perform the following steps:
1. Move the mode switch to Analysis mode.
2. Short jumpers J8 and J7. (These jumpers are located very near the terminal block, and are marked
Input Shorting Jumpers in
3. Set up the ADS1230 as desired, as described in the previous sections.
4. Hold down the DISP button. The display shows the current display mode. While holding down DISP,
press the MODE button until the word on the left side is RMS.
5. While still holding down DISP, press the UNIT button until the word on the right side is VOLT.
6. Release the DISP button. The display shows the word GOT followed by an increasing number. Once
the appropriate number of points is collected, the calculated noise voltage is displayed. This value is
the shorted-input RMS noise voltage, input-referred.
The first RMS noise measurement may be incorrect as a result of device settling. The second
measurement is generally correct.
For a detailed description of Analysis mode, see
1.7.2 Measuring Mass
The following items are required to measure mass with the ADS1230REF:
• A load cell, connected as described in
• An object of known mass within the load cell range
To avoid performing calibration on each power-up, you can save the calibration settings to flash memory.
See Section 3.4.1
6 ADS1230REF User's Guide
Section 6.4.5
Figure 1.)
Section 1.4
for details.
for details.
Section 3.
SBAU125A – August 2007 – Revised September 2007
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ADS1230
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