Data Acquisition - Analog Front End (AFE)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
TC514COI713 Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC AFE 4 CHAN 17BIT 28SOIC	0
OPT3101RHFT Texas Instruments	IC AFE 3 CHAN 16BIT 28VQFN	271
TC500ACOE Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC AFE 1 CHAN 17BIT 16SOIC	141
AD7730BRU-REEL7 Analog Devices, Inc.	ADC, DELTA-SIGMA, 6-BIT, 2-CH	2630
ADS1291IPBS Texas Instruments	IC AFE 1 CHAN 24BIT 32TQFP	684
MAX5865ETM+T Maxim Integrated	IC AFE 4 CHAN 10BIT 48TQFN	0
ADPD107BCBZR7 Analog Devices, Inc.	IC AFE 4 CHAN 14BIT 17WLCSP	473
AFE1302Y/2K Texas Instruments	DIGITAL SLIC, 1-FUNC, PQFP48	2000
MAX19706ETM Analog Devices, Inc.	LOW-POWER ANALOG FRONT-END	795
ISL51002CQZ-110 Intersil (Renesas Electronics America)	CONSUMER CIRCUIT, CMOS, PQFP128	1320
AD73322LARU Analog Devices, Inc.	DUAL VOICEBAND CODEC	0
AD5940BCBZ-RL7 Analog Devices, Inc.	IC AFE 1 CHAN 16BIT 56WLCSP	390
ADS1299-6PAGR Texas Instruments	ADS1299-6 LOW-NOISE, 6-CHANNEL,	1424
VSP5612RSHR Texas Instruments	ANALOG CIRCUIT, 1 FUNC, 4 CHANNE	2500
LMP91050MME/NOPB Texas Instruments	IC AFE 1 CHAN 10VSSOP	0
AFE7444IABJ Texas Instruments	ANALOG FRONT END	0
WM8235GEFL/V Cirrus Logic	IC AFE 9 CHAN 16BIT 56QFN	0
LMP91002SDX/NOPB Texas Instruments	IC AFE 1 CHAN 8BIT 14WSON	0
PEF88204EV2.1-G	VINAX-A4 4-CHANNEL 30MHZ AFE	0
AFE7422IABJ Texas Instruments	ANALOG FRONT END	0

Data Acquisition - Analog Front End (AFE)

1. Overview

Analog Front End (AFE) ICs are critical components in data acquisition systems, serving as the interface between analog sensors/transducers and digital processing units. They perform signal conditioning, amplification, filtering, and analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) driving functions. AFEs ensure signal integrity and measurement accuracy in applications ranging from medical devices to industrial automation, playing a pivotal role in modern precision electronics.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Precision AFE	Low noise, high linearity, programmable gain amplifiers (PGA)	Medical imaging equipment, precision weighing scales
High-Speed AFE	Wide bandwidth (>100MHz), fast settling time	Ultrasound systems, radar receivers
Integrated AFE	Complete signal chain in single chip (PGA + ADC + DSP)	Smart sensors, IoT edge devices
Isolated AFE	Galvanic isolation with >5kV rating	Power grid monitoring, industrial safety systems

3. Structure and Composition

Typical AFE architecture includes:

Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) for signal scaling
Anti-aliasing filter (low-pass/band-pass)
ADC driver amplifier with fast transient response
Reference voltage generator
Digital control interface (I2C/SPI)
Optional isolation barriers (magnetic/optical)

Advanced designs integrate calibration circuits and fault detection modules.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Effective Number of Bits (ENOB)	Actual ADC resolution considering noise/distortion	Determines measurement accuracy
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)	Ratio of desired signal to background noise (dB)	Impacts dynamic range
Input Referred Noise	Amplifier noise converted to input equivalent (nV/ Hz)	Limits minimum detectable signal
Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)	Ability to reject common-mode interference (dB)	Essential for noisy environments
Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR)	Noise suppression from power rails (dB)	Ensures stable operation

5. Application Fields

Major application areas include:

Medical: ECG/EKG machines, blood glucose monitors
Industrial: Programmable logic controllers (PLCs), vibration sensors
Communications: Software-defined radios, optical transceivers
Automotive: Battery management systems, LiDAR receivers
Consumer: Smart wearables, voice assistants

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Analog Devices	AD7768	24-bit Sigma-Delta ADC with 2 V offset error
Texas Instruments	ADS1298	8-channel ECG frontend with built-in lead-off detection
STMicroelectronics	LTC2358	18-bit SAR ADC with 1MSPS throughput
NXP Semiconductors	MCP3911	6-channel energy measurement AFE with harmonic analysis

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations when selecting AFEs:

Match ADC resolution with system accuracy requirements
Evaluate bandwidth requirements vs. power consumption trade-offs
Consider integration level (discrete vs. system-on-chip)
Verify temperature stability (-40 C to +125 C range)
Assess digital interface compatibility (SPI/I2C speed)
Check for required certifications (medical/industrial safety)

8. Industry Trends

Current development trends include:

Increasing integration with AI acceleration for edge processing
Sub-1V supply operation for IoT devices
Emerging wide bandgap (GaN/SiC) compatible isolation technologies
Development of 32-bit+ precision converters
Standardization of wireless AFE modules for Industry 4.0