Specifications

TL/H/7451–38
FIGURE 20. Capacitive Transducer
Analog Systems Building Block
The LM2907, LM2917 series characterize systems building
block applications by the feature that the output from the
device is proportional only to externally programmed inputs.
Any or all of these inputs may be controlled inputs to pro-
vide the desired output. For example, in
Figure 20 the ca-
pacitance transducer can be operated as a multiplier. In
flow measurement indicators, the input frequency can be a
variable depending on the flow rate, such as a signal gener-
ated from a paddle wheel, propeller or vortex sensor
4
. The
capacitor can be an indication of orifice size or aperture
size, such as in a throttle body. The product of these two will
indicate volume flow. A thermistor could be added to R1 to
convert the volume flow to mass flow. So a combination of
these inputs, including control voltage on the supply, can be
used to provide complex multiplicative analog functions with
independent control of the variables.
Phase-locked loops (PLL) are popular today now that low
cost monolithic implementations are available off the shelf.
One of their limitations is the narrow capture range and
hold-in range. The LM2907 can be employed as a PLL help-
er. The configuration is shown in
Figure 21. The LM2907
here serves the function of a frequency-to-voltage converter
which puts the VCO initially at approximately the right fre-
quency to match the input frequency. The phase detector is
then used to close the gap between VCO and input frequen-
cy by exerting a control on the summing point. In this way,
given proper tracking between the frequency-to-voltage
converter and the VCO, (which is a voltage-to-frequency
converter), a wide-range phase loop can be developed.
TL/H/7451–39
FIGURE 21. Phase-Locked Loop Helper
Added f to V Greatly Increases Capture and Hold Range
The linearity of voltage controlled oscillators can be im-
proved by employing the LM2907 as a feedback control ele-
ment converting the frequency back to voltage and compar-
ing with the input voltage. This can often be a lower cost
solution to linearizing the VCO than by working directly on
the VCO itself in the open loop mode. The arrangement is
illustrated in
Figure 22.
TL/H/7451–40
FIGURE 22. Feedback Controlled VCO
Digital Interface
A growing proportion of the complex control systems today
are being controlled by microprocessors and other digital
devices. Frequently they require inputs to indicate position
or time from some mechanical input. The LM2907 can be
used to provide zero crossing datum to a digital system us-
ing the circuits illustrated in
Figure 23. At each zero crossing
of the input signal the charge pump changes the state of
capacitor C1 and provides a one-shot pulse into the zener
diode at pin 3. The width of this pulse is controlled by the
internal current of pin 2 and the size of capacitor C1 as well
as by the supply voltage. Since a pulse is generated by each
zero crossing of the input signal we call this a ‘‘two-shot’’
instead of a ‘‘one-shot’’ device and this can be used for
doubling the frequency that is presented to the microproc-
essor control system. If frequency doubling is not required
and a square wave output is preferred, the circuit of
Figure
24
can be employed. In this case, the output swing is the
same as the swing on pin 2 which is a swing of half supply
voltage starting at 1 V
BE
below one quarter of supply and
going to 1 V
BE
below three-quarters of supply. This can be
increased up to the full output swing capability by reducing
or removing the negative feedback around the op amp.
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