1、Best Practices Entry: Best Practice Info:a71 Committee Approval Date: 2000-04-20a71 Center Point of Contact: KSCa71 Submitted by: Wil HarkinsSubject: Use of Digital Potentiometers in Electrically Powered Systems Practice: Enhancement maintainability through the use of digital potentiometers to provi
2、de accurate and reliable remote control of electronic hardware.Programs that Certify Usage: Although these devices are not currently in use at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), they represent emerging new technologies with known implementation in commercial industry that are applicable to aerospace system
3、s.Center to Contact for Information: KSCImplementation Method: This Lesson Learned is based on Maintainability Technique number DFE-4 from NASA Technical Memorandum 4628, Recommended Techniques for Effective Maintainability.Benefit:Digital potentiometers are Dual Inline Package (DIP) devices capable
4、 of supporting variable resistance functions currently accomplished by standard electromechanical potentiometers. However, they can be equipped to handle a wide spectrum of specialty tasks not technically possible with standard devices. For example; remote process control, remote calibration, analog
5、 to digital conversions, digital to analog conversions, variable gain amplification and variable oscillation.Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-Implementation Method:Digital potentiometers should be installed in electronic systems as a r
6、eplacement for standard potentiometers. However, designs should be enhanced to utilize the digital potentiometers extended functionality.Digital potentiometers are suitable in both facility power and battery driven applications. These devices should be appropriately selected to match system operatin
7、g parameters and affixed to printed circuit cards as necessary. In contrast to standard potentiometers, digital potentiometers are remotely accessible and can be driven to specific resistance values directly via a 17 bit serial shift register. An application diagram is attached which illustrates a g
8、eneric implementation methodology.refer to D descriptionD The digital potentiometer, although not an infinitely variable device, has either 64 or 256 resistive increments (based on model). In the event that finer control is necessary, digital potentiometers can be cascaded to provide high resolution
9、 trim functions. The digital potentiometers architecture is designed to simulate that of a standard variable resistance device. Three pinpoints provide signal in, signal out and wiper. However, unlike discrete devices, wiper position can be incrementally changed Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo repro
10、duction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-or directly accessed through inputting desired position into the onboard register. Upon power loss, latest wiper position is saved in nonvolatile memory.As an added improvement over discrete devices, noise has been minimized such that sign
11、al to noise ratios are greater than or equal to 120db.Installation of digital potentiometers will provide accurate and reliable remote control of electronic hardware. Digital potentiometers will provide cost savings in the following key areas:a71 Reduced equipment downtime (standard Potentiometers a
12、re prone to failures/instability due to contamination).a71 Reduced maintenance and calibration costs on equipment due to superior resistance to drift, remote configuration capability, and remote reporting not available in standard devices.a71 Provides preventive maintenance function and reduces corr
13、ective maintenance costs as digital potentiometers do not typically require replacement and can be remotely monitored and configured.Additionally, performance of low level signal processing devices will be greatly enhanced due to superior signal/noise ratios.References:1. “Dont Touch That Dial“; An
14、Overview of Digital Potentiometers and Applications by Dallas Semiconductor Corporation.Impact of Non-Practice: Digital potentiometers should be considered in new design or major redesign of electronic systems where comprehensive system control, monitoring, configuration and calibration functions ar
15、e desired (both locally and remotely). Standard devices (electromechanical potentiometers) are limited to manual control. System analysis will reveal strategic points for the inclusion of digital potentiometers to maximize utilization of their remote capabilities and superior noise characteristics.
16、Substitution of standard variable resistance devices with digital potentiometer based circuits will result in enhanced capabilities while yielding reduced maintenance resource impact.Related Practices: N/AAdditional Info: Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-Approval Info: a71 Approval Date: 2000-04-20a71 Approval Name: Eric Raynora71 Approval Organization: QSa71 Approval Phone Number: 202-358-4738Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-
