Datasheet

LTC487
7
487fc
applicaTions inForMaTion
Losses in a transmission line are a complex combination of
DC conductor loss, AC losses (skin effect), leakage, and AC
losses in the dielectric. In good polyethylene cables such
as the Belden 9841, the conductor losses and dielectric
losses are of the same order of magnitude, leading to
relatively low overall loss (Figure 7).
FREQUENCY (MHz)
0.1
0.1
LOSS PER 100 FT (dB)
1.0
10
1.0 10 100
LTC487 TA08
Figure 7. Attenuation vs Frequency for Belden 9841
When using low loss cables, Figure 8 can be used as
a guideline for choosing the maximum line length for
a given data rate. With lower quality PVC cables, the
dielectric loss factor can be 1000 times worse. PVC
twisted pairs have terrible losses at high data rates
(> 100kbs) and greatly reduce the maximum cable length.
At low data rates however, they are acceptable and much
more economical.
DATA RATE (bps)
10k
10
CABLE LENGTH (FT)
100
1k
10k
100k 1M 10M
LTC487 TA09
2.5M
Figure 8. Cable Length vs Data Rate
Cable Termination
The proper termination of the cable is very important. If the
cable is not terminated with its characteristic impedance,
distorted waveforms will result. In severe cases, distorted
(false) data and nulls will occur. A quick look at the output
of the driver will tell how well the cable is terminated. It is
best to look at a driver connected to the end of the cable,
since this eliminates the possibility of getting reflections
from two directions. Simply look at the driver output
while transmitting square wave data. If the cable is termi-
nated properly, the waveform will look like a square wave
(Figure 9).
Rt
DRIVERDX RECEIVER RX
Rt = 120Ω
Rt = 47Ω
Rt = 470Ω
LTC487 TA10
PROBE HERE
Figure 9. Termination Effects
If the cable is loaded excessively (47Ω), the signal initially
sees the surge impedance of the cable and jumps to an
initial amplitude. The signal travels down the cable and is
reflected back out of phase because of the mistermination.
When the reflected signal returns to the driver, the ampli-
tude will be lowered. The width of the pedestal is equal to
twice the electrical length of the cable (about 1.5ns/foot).
If the cable is lightly loaded (470Ω), the signal reflects in
phase and increases the amplitude at the driver output.
An input frequency of 30kHz is adequate for tests out to
4000 feet of cable.