Data Acquisition - ADCs/DACs

Data Acquisition - ADCs/DACs - Special Purpose

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	PCAP02AE ScioSense	IC CAP TO DGT CONVRT 500K 32QFN	0
	PCAP01AD ScioSense	IC CAP TO DGT CNVRT 17BIT 32QFN	0
	PCAP04-AQFT-24 ScioSense	PCAP04-AQFT-24 QFN24 LF T&RDP	0
	PCAP01A DICE ScioSense	IC CAP TO DGTL 17BIT 500K DIE	0
	PCAP04-AQFM-24 ScioSense	PCAP04-AQFM-24 QFN24 LF T&RDP	0
	PCAP04-BQFT-24 ScioSense	IC CAP TO DGT CNVRT 17BIT 24QFN	0
	PCAP02A DICE ScioSense	IC CAP TO DGTL CONVRTR 500K DIE	0
	PCAP04-ASWB ScioSense	IC CAP TO DGTL CONVRTR 17BIT DIE	0
	PCAP04-BQFM-24 ScioSense	IC CAP TO DGT CNVRT 17BIT 24QFN	0
	PCAP04-ASDF ScioSense	IC CAP TO DGTL CONVRTR 17BIT DIE	0
	PCAP01AK ScioSense	IC CAP TO DGTL 17BIT 500K 24QFN	0

Data Acquisition - ADCs/DACs - Special Purpose

1. Overview

Special Purpose Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) are integrated circuits designed for specific data acquisition tasks requiring tailored performance characteristics. These ICs enable precise signal conversion in specialized applications where standard converters cannot meet unique requirements such as ultra-high speed, extreme accuracy, isolation, or environmental robustness. They are critical in advanced industrial control systems, medical instrumentation, aerospace electronics, and high-frequency communication systems.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
High-Speed ADCs	Sampling rates >1 GSPS, low latency, wide bandwidth	Radar systems, 5G transceivers
High-Precision ADCs	24-bit resolution, 2ppm linearity, low noise	Medical imaging, precision test equipment
Isolated ADCs	Galvanic isolation up to 5kVRMS, CMTI >100kV/ s	Industrial motor drives, grid-tied inverters
Multi-Channel DACs	Synchronized channels, crosstalk < -100dB	Automotive LiDAR beam steering
Radiation-Hardened ADCs	Latch-up immunity, TID tolerance >100krad	Satellite payloads, nuclear instrumentation

3. Structure and Components

Typical architecture includes:

Input conditioning stage (PGA, anti-aliasing filter)
Sampling-and-Hold circuit with <10ps jitter
Conversion core (SAR, Delta-Sigma, Pipeline architecture)
Digital interface (SPI, JESD204B, LVDS)
Calibration engine for offset/linearity correction
Thermal management structures (exposed pads, thermal vias)

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Effective Number of Bits (ENOB)	Actual resolution considering noise/distortion	System accuracy benchmark
Signal-to-Noise and Distortion (SINAD)	Dynamic range measurement	Determines minimum detectable signal
Integral Nonlinearity (INL)	Deviation from ideal transfer function	Essential for precision measurements
Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR)	Noise immunity from power rails	System stability in varying conditions
Operating Temperature Range	-55 C to +150 C for automotive/military grades	Environmental reliability

5. Application Fields

Industrial Automation: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) with 16-channel analog inputs
Medical Imaging: MRI scanners requiring 24-bit ADCs with 10nV/ Hz noise density
Aerospace: Avionics data acquisition with radiation-hardened DACs
Test & Measurement: Oscilloscopes using 8GS/s ADCs for 2GHz bandwidth
Energy Systems: Grid monitoring devices with 0.01% accurate voltage measurement

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Product Series	Key Specifications
Analog Devices	AD7124-8	24-bit - ADC, 0.001% linearity, TUE <0.1%
TI Semiconductor	ADS54J60	16-bit, 1GSPS ADC with 74dB SNR
Maxim Integrated	MAX11156	16-channel, 18-bit SAR ADC, 0.1LSB INL
STMicroelectronics	LTC2380-24	24-bit, 2Msps ADC with 2ppm INL
NXP Semiconductors	MC12DX1080	8-channel DAC with 12.5ps jitter for LiDAR

7. Selection Guidelines

Key selection criteria:

Match sampling rate and bandwidth to signal requirements
Verify temperature stability and long-term drift specifications
Consider digital interface compatibility (e.g. JESD204C for high-speed links)
Evaluate power consumption vs. performance trade-offs
Example: For vibration analysis in jet engines, select ADC with 200dB dynamic range and -55 C to +125 C rating

Industry Trends

Emerging trends include:

3D-stacked ICs integrating ADCs with AI acceleration cores
Time-interleaved ADCs breaking 10 GSPS barriers
Self-calibrating DACs with embedded temperature sensors
Photonics-enabled converters for THz-range sampling
Energy-harvesting optimized ADCs with sub- W operation modes