SNAS648C October   2014  – February 2023 TDC1000

PRODUCTION DATA  

  1. 1 Features
  2. 2 Applications
  3. 3 Description
  4. 4 Revision History
  5. 5 Pin Configuration and Functions
  6. 6 Specifications
    1. 6.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings
    2. 6.2 ESD Ratings
    3. 6.3 Recommended Operating Conditions
    4. 6.4 Thermal Information (1)
    5. 6.5 Electrical Characteristics
    6. 6.6 Timing Requirements
    7. 6.7 Switching Characteristics
    8. 6.8 Typical Characteristics
  7. 7 Parameter Measurement Information
  8. 8 Detailed Description
    1. 8.1 Overview
    2. 8.2 Functional Block Diagram
    3. 8.3 Feature Description
      1. 8.3.1 Transmitter Signal Path
      2. 8.3.2 Receiver Signal Path
      3. 8.3.3 Low Noise Amplifier (LNA)
      4. 8.3.4 Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA)
      5. 8.3.5 Receiver Filters
      6. 8.3.6 Comparators for STOP Pulse Generation
        1. 8.3.6.1 Threshold Detector and DAC
        2. 8.3.6.2 Zero-Cross Detect Comparator
        3. 8.3.6.3 Event Manager
      7. 8.3.7 Common-Mode Buffer (VCOM)
      8. 8.3.8 Temperature Sensor
        1. 8.3.8.1 Temperature Measurement With Multiple RTDs
        2. 8.3.8.2 Temperature Measurement With a Single RTD
    4. 8.4 Device Functional Modes
      1. 8.4.1 Time-of-Flight Measurement Mode
        1. 8.4.1.1 Mode 0
        2. 8.4.1.2 Mode 1
        3. 8.4.1.3 Mode 2
      2. 8.4.2 State Machine
      3. 8.4.3 TRANSMIT Operation
        1. 8.4.3.1 Transmission Pulse Count
        2. 8.4.3.2 TX 180° Pulse Shift
        3. 8.4.3.3 Transmitter Damping
      4. 8.4.4 RECEIVE Operation
        1. 8.4.4.1 Single Echo Receive Mode
        2. 8.4.4.2 Multiple Echo Receive Mode
      5. 8.4.5 Timing
        1. 8.4.5.1 Timing Control and Frequency Scaling (CLKIN)
        2. 8.4.5.2 TX/RX Measurement Sequencing and Timing
      6. 8.4.6 Time-of-Flight (TOF) Control
        1. 8.4.6.1 Short TOF Measurement
        2. 8.4.6.2 Standard TOF Measurement
        3. 8.4.6.3 Standard TOF Measurement With Power Blanking
        4. 8.4.6.4 Common-Mode Reference Settling Time
        5. 8.4.6.5 TOF Measurement Interval
      7. 8.4.7 Averaging and Channel Selection
      8. 8.4.8 Error Reporting
    5. 8.5 Programming
      1. 8.5.1 Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
        1. 8.5.1.1 Chip Select Bar (CSB)
        2. 8.5.1.2 Serial Clock (SCLK)
        3. 8.5.1.3 Serial Data Input (SDI)
        4. 8.5.1.4 Serial Data Output (SDO)
    6. 8.6 Register Maps
  9. 9 Application and Implementation
    1. 9.1 Application Information
    2. 9.2 Typical Applications
      1. 9.2.1 Level and Fluid Identification Measurements
        1. 9.2.1.1 Design Requirements
        2. 9.2.1.2 Detailed Design Procedure
          1. 9.2.1.2.1 Level Measurements
          2. 9.2.1.2.2 Fluid Identification
        3. 9.2.1.3 Application Curves
      2. 9.2.2 Water Flow Metering
        1. 9.2.2.1 Design Requirements
        2. 9.2.2.2 Detailed Design Procedure
          1. 9.2.2.2.1 Regulations and Accuracy
          2. 9.2.2.2.2 Transit-Time in Ultrasonic Flow Meters
          3. 9.2.2.2.3 ΔTOF Accuracy Requirement Calculation
          4. 9.2.2.2.4 Operation
        3. 9.2.2.3 Application Curves
    3. 9.3 Power Supply Recommendations
    4. 9.4 Layout
      1. 9.4.1 Layout Guidelines
      2. 9.4.2 Layout Example
  10. 10Device and Documentation Support
    1. 10.1 Device Support
      1. 10.1.1 Development Support
    2. 10.2 Receiving Notification of Documentation Updates
    3. 10.3 Support Resources
    4. 10.4 Trademarks
    5. 10.5 Electrostatic Discharge Caution
    6. 10.6 Glossary
  11. 11Mechanical, Packaging, and Orderable Information
9.2.1.2.1 Level Measurements

For level sensing applications, the total time-of-flight (TOF) of the sound wave in the fluid is measured. The pulses transmitted by transducer B travel through the fluid, typically from the bottom, to the surface of the fluid. The discontinuity between the fluid and air generates a reflected wave which returns back to transducer B.

At the beginning of a measurement cycle, the transducer is connected to a transmit channel of the AFE, and the transmit burst excites the transducer to generate an ultrasound wave. Synchronous to the TX burst, a START pulse is generated by the TDC1000 to indicate the start of a measurement. After the transmission is completed, and depending on the device configuration, the transducer is connected to a receive channel of the AFE.

When a valid echo is received, the TDC1000 generates a STOP pulse. Generation of multiple STOP pulses is possible through register configuration of the device. The START and STOP signal times are compared to determine the TOF.

The level of the fluid can be determined using the following equation:

Equation 6. GUID-5D27C63F-1B1C-40FA-BB07-103E94F13886-low.gif

where

  • d is the fluid level in meters (m)
  • TOF is the time-of-flight in seconds (s)
  • c is the speed of sound in the fluid in meters per second (m/s)
GUID-023E9E10-B638-4A2F-A9F9-4402AAF73135-low.gifFigure 9-2 Relation Between Transmit and Receive Pulses in Level Measurements

Level measurements have two main criteria: resolution and range (maximum height). Resolution accuracies of 1 mm to 2 mm are achievable but are impractical due to any environmental disturbances, such as tank vibrations, creating millimeter level surface waves. Ranges of up to 1 m are measurable using VDD level excitation pulses, but surface disturbances and signal loss over longer distances make the reliable echo reception an issue. Greater level measurement reception can be achieved by mechanical means (level guide tube) or electronic means (level shifting the TX pulses to greater voltages; see TIDA-00322).