Direct Digital Synthesis. (DDS)

AdrianJ · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2483 Location: Queensland

With some limitations, yes. But only at low frequencies, say less than 1 KHz, and relatively low resolution, usually 8 bit, 265 levels or steps in the wave. You still need a good filter on the 1 pin output, and the extra components there are usually more that just putting a DAC on an 8 bit port. Reread carefully all the posts in this very long discussion.
Rather than use an R-2R ladder, use a DAC, like for example the MAX5100/5102, very simple to use. On the whole, you get a much better and easier result.

cowboyrx · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 6

AdrianJ · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2483 Location: Queensland

AFAIK there is no DAC in a Mega48. The PWM output is simply a digital on/off control. By adjusting the on/off time, you adjust the average level on the output, which you then have to filter to produce a slowly varying voltage. The filter has to have a time constant significantly longer than the period of the PWM, so you smooth out the pulses into a useable signal.

I think you would be wise to start a new thread on this topic, if you want to continue discussion, its not really relevant to the DDS. In fact at this stage its not really relevant to use of Bascom either, and probably belongs in forum Various, but its true there is much less activity there.

cowboyrx · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 6

AdrianJ · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2483 Location: Queensland

Its not quite that simple ( what is Smile

) . You need to connect also a write enable line at least, and pulse it high-low-high after you change the data on the port, that triggers a new DAC output. While the enable is high, the DAC output remains constant. Usually you do all that in an interrupt driven by an AVR timer, so the output changes appear at regular intervals - each step on your output waveform. Read the datasheet on the Maxim website for more details.

cowboyrx · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 6

AdrianJ · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2483 Location: Queensland

It doesnt. An R-2R ladder needs as many pins as you want bits in the output resolution. To do this on one pin, you need to feed a varying pulse width to the pin, ON for longer to get higher average output voltage, shorter to get lower. And you need a filter to smooth out the pulses to a slow varying voltage. Using one pin and filtering, and using an R-2R ladder or DAC are two entirely different ways of achieving similar results.