Data Acquisition - Analog Front End (AFE)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
LM96511CCSM/NOPB Texas Instruments	TELECOM CIRCUIT, 1-FUNC, PBGA376	952
ADS1298CZXGR Texas Instruments	IC AFE 8 CHAN 24BIT 64NFBGA	0
VSP2562PTG4 Texas Instruments	IC AFE 2 CHAN 12BIT 48LQFP	0
AFE4404YZPT Texas Instruments	IC AFE 1 CHAN 24BIT 15DSBGA	1339
WM8235GEFL/RV Cirrus Logic	IC AFE 9 CHAN 16BIT 56QFN	0
VSP1021PFB Texas Instruments	ANALOG CIRCUIT, 1 FUNC, CMOS, PQ	5834
ADS131A04IPBSR Texas Instruments	IC AFE 4 CHAN 24BIT 32TQFP	1287
PEB24902HV2.1	4 CHANNEL ISDN ANALOG FRONT END	0
AD73360LAR Analog Devices, Inc.	6-CHANNEL AFE PROCESSOR	978
LM15851NKET Texas Instruments	12 BIT 3.5 GHZ ADC	3500
AD73311ARZ-REEL Analog Devices, Inc.	IC AFE 1 CHAN 16BIT 20SOIC	0
73M1903-IMR/F Analog Devices, Inc.	MODEM AFE V.22BIS - V.92	5000
ADS1292RIPBSR Texas Instruments	IC AFE 2 CHAN 24BIT 32TQFP	773
PGA5807ARGCT Texas Instruments	PGA5807A INTEGRATED 8-CHANNEL AF	73
ATSENSE201HA-AU Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC AFE 4 CHAN 24BIT 32TQFP	360
ADS1198CPAGR Texas Instruments	IC AFE 8 CHAN 16BIT 64TQFP	0
LM98714BCMTX/NOPB Texas Instruments	LM98714 3 CH 16-BIT 45 MSPS DIGI	1965
AD73311ARSZ Analog Devices, Inc.	IC AFE 1 CHAN 16BIT 20SSOP	71
AFE1144E Burr-Brown (Texas Instruments)	DIGITAL SLIC, 1-FUNC	48
MCP3903T-I/SS Roving Networks / Microchip Technology	IC AFE 6 CHAN 24BIT 28SSOP	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