
National P/N LM331 - Precision Voltage-to-Frequency Converter
The LM231/LM331 family of voltage-to-frequency converters are ideally suited for use in simple low-cost
circuits for analog-to-digital conversion, precision frequency-to-voltage conversion, long-term integration,
linear frequency modulation or demodulation, and many other functions. The output when used as a voltage-
to-frequency converter is a pulse train at a frequency precisely proportional to the applied input voltage.
Thus, it provides all the inherent advantages of the voltage-to-frequency conversion techniques, and is easy
to apply in all standard voltage-to-frequency converter applications. Further, the LM231A/LM331A attain a
new high level of accuracy versus temperature which could only be attained with expensive voltage-to-
frequency modules. Additionally the LM231/331 are ideally suited for use in digital systems at low power
supply voltages and can provide low-cost analog-to-digital conversion in microprocessor-controlled systems.
And, the frequency from a battery powered voltage-to-frequency converter can be easily channeled through
a simple photoisolator to provide isolation against high common mode levels.
The LM231/LM331 utilize a new temperature-compensated band-gap reference circuit, to provide excellent
accuracy over the full operating temperature range, at power supplies as low as 4.0V. The precision timer
circuit has low bias currents without degrading the quick response necessary for 100 kHz voltage-to-
frequency conversion. And the output are capable of driving 3 TTL loads, or a high voltage output up to 40V,
yet is short-circuit-proof against VCC.
Features
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Guaranteed linearity 0.01% max
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Improved performance in existing voltage-to-frequency conversion applications
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Split or single supply operation
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Operates on single 5V supply
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Pulse output compatible with all logic forms
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Excellent temperature stability, ±50 ppm/°C max
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Low power dissipation, 15 mW typical at 5V
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Wide dynamic range, 100 dB min at 10 kHz full scale frequency
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Wide range of full scale frequency, 1 Hz to 100 kHz
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Low cost
Application Notes
Title
Size in Kbytes Date
View Online Download Receive via Email
AN-C: V/F Converter ICs Handle
Frequency-to-Voltage Needs
145 Kbytes
AN-240: Wide-Range Current-to-
Frequency Converters
128 Kbytes
AN-210: New Phase-Locked-
Loops Have Advantages as
Frequency to Voltage Converters
(and more)
183 Kbytes
AN-D: Versatile Monolithic V/Fs
Can Compute as Well as Convert
with High Accuracy
169 Kbytes
CN-1: Analog to Digital
Conversion Techniques with COPS
Family Microcontrollers
601 Kbytes
AN-285: An Acoustic Transformer
Powered Super-High Isolation
Amplifier
113 Kbytes
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