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Low-power converter

Analog Devices is lowering the power consumption of medical and industrial electronics with its latest precision PulSAR analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The part is designed to increase the portability of patient and industrial monitors and improve the performance and throughput of automated test equipment (ATE) and data-acquisition systems.

The AD7980 PulSAR ADC features 7.5 mW power consumption at 1 Msps and 75 µW at 10 ksps. Other performance enhancements include 2-LSB maximum INL and 91.5 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at 20 kHz. The AD7980 is available in lead-frame chip-scale package/quad flat no-lead (LFCSP/QFN) and mini small-outline plastic (MSOP) packages.

The AD7980 is pin-compatible with the AD768x MSOP family of 16-bit PulSAR ADCs for designers looking to upgrade to a 1 Msps sample rate, and works well with Analog Devices' ADA4841 driver and buffer op-amps and ADR42x, ADR43x and ADR44x voltage references.

The AD7980 is sampling in 10-lead MSOP and LFCSP packages, with production quantities available in the second quarter of 2007. Pricing is $19.50 in 1000-unit quantities.
Analog Devices
www.analog.com
(800) 262-5643

Delta-Sigma ADC

Linear Technology's LTC2498 is a 24-bit, 16-channel Delta-Sigma ADC featuring a front-end design that can directly digitize a range of sensors. The easy-drive design results in zero average differential input current, allowing measurements of high impedance input sources without the use of an internal buffer. This patented sampling scheme simplifies the design of front-end signal conditioning circuits and allows the ADC to be driven directly from bridges, RTDs, thermocouples and other high impedance sensors. Rail-to-rail input signals can be directly digitized while maintaining dc accuracy (2 ppm INL).

The LTC2498 includes a high accuracy internal temperature sensor that offers 1/30 °C resolution and 2 °C absolute accuracy. The ADC converts the output of the temperature sensor or the input multiplexer, which can be configured for 16 single-ended channels, eight differential channels, or combinations of both. The device communicates via a four-wire SPI-compatible serial interface and performs conversions at rates up to 7.5 Hz or 15 Hz while using the internal oscillator. For lower-resolution applications, the LTC2496 is a pin-compatible 16-bit ADC. The LTC2498 and LTC2496 are available in QFN-38 (5 mm × 7 mm) packages, offering a pin-compatible and code-compatible family for performance/cost optimization. Both easy-drive Delta-Sigma ADCs are available in commercial and industrial temperature ranges. Pricing begins at $3.45 each for the LTC2498 and $2.65 each for the LTC2496, in 1000-piece quantities.
Linear Technology
(408) 432-1900
www.linear.com

Floating-point DSP

The TMS320C6720 DSP from Texas Instruments is a floating-point DSP designed for cost-sensitive applications. TI floating-point DSPs, including the C6720 DSP, are based on the TMS320C67x DSP generation. The C67x+ DSP generation-based core is a C-efficient, VLIW architecture.

The DSP runs at 200 MHz and is pin compatible with the TMS320C6722 and TMS320C6726 DSPs, providing a scalable migration path for developers. This device has 64 KB of on-chip RAM, a 32 KB instruction cache, and a 384 KB ROM preloaded with DSP/BIOS, a real-time DSP kernel, as well as optimized DSP libraries of commonly used functions. The device features the dMAX DMA engine, which lifts application performance by off-loading input/output (I/O) processing tasks from the DSP core.

TI's C6720 DSP eliminates the need to convert floating-point prototypes into fixed-point designs. It is fully supported by a number of TI development tools and kits and extensive TI DSP third-party network. The Lyrtech-designed professional audio development kit (PADK), enables developers to evaluate the performance of the C672x DSP generation.

These DSPs are sampling. The C6720 DSP at 200 MHz is priced at $5.75 in production volumes. The PADK also is available from Texas Instruments starting at $1995.
Texas Instruments
(800) 336-5236
www.ti.com

DSP development tools

Xilinx's version 8.2 of its XtremeDSP development tools consist of the System Generator for DSP and AccelDSP, which feature optimized DSP support for XilinxVirtex-5 LX and LXT 65-nm FPGAs. The new version enables DSP system designers and algorithm developers, who are unfamiliar with FPGAs, to design, simulate and verify DSP systems, achieving up to 40% lower power, 10% higher DSP performance and reduced area compared to previous-generation Virtex-4 LX FPGAs.

The 8.2 version of System Generator enables DSP system and algorithm developers to develop their designs using MATLAB and Simulink from The MathWorks. Once floating-point modeling is complete, designers quantize it using the Xilinx bit- and cycle-accurate blockset and automatically generate HDL/RTL, netlists or complete bitstreams for Xilinx FPGAs, including Virtex-5 LX and LXT devices. Finally, designers verify and debug the design on the actual FPGA using high-bandwidth hardware-in-the-loop simulations from within the Simulink environment. New to this release is FIR Compiler 2.0. This parameterized FIR filter complier extends previous versions by adding symmetric coefficient optimization for multirate filters reducing DSP48 resources by 50%.

Stand-alone pricing for System Generator starts at $995 and AccelDSP is priced at $4995. Both System Generator and AccelDSP version 8.2 are available. XtremeDSP XPA for model-based design includes AccelDSP, System Generator, Integrated Software Environment (ISE) foundation with ISIM and four days of training for $9500. XtremeDSP XPA for MATLAB-based design includes AccelDSP, AccelWare Communications and Advanced Math toolkits, ISE foundation with ISIM and two days training for $19995.
Xilinx
(408) 559-7778
www.xilinx.com

LVDS outputs

The ADC14DS105 from National Semiconductor is a 14-bit, dual, 1 GHz-input bandwidth ADC serial low-voltage with differential signaling (LVDS) outputs for communications, test and measurement, and imaging applications.

At 105 megasamples per second (Msps), the device heads a new family of 16 high-bandwidth, 12-bit and 14-bit ADCs. Designed with low-power pipeline architecture on its 0.18 m CMOS process technology, the high bandwidth performance enables excellent noise and distortion performance for 240 MHz and higher intermediate frequencies (IF).

The ADC14DS105 provides a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 72 dB and a spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of 83 dB at a 240 MHz input frequency. This performance allows high intermediate-frequency (IF) sampling to eliminate an IF stage, relaxes filtering constraints and permits multicarrier architectures. For third-generation communication receivers, designers can select 12-bit products to digitize one or two carriers or 14-bit products to digitize three or four carriers requiring a higher dynamic range.

The ADC family, with sample rates from 65 Msps to 105 Msps, features parallel CMOS or serial low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) output options. The LVDS outputs reduce system noise while decreasing the number of input/output pins and traces.

Samples of selected ADCs are available for qualified customers through National's local sales offices, with production quantities scheduled for release throughout 2007. The dual ADC14DS105 is priced at $82.35 each and the single ADC14C105 is priced at $41 each in 1000-unit quantities.
National Semiconductor
(408) 721-5000
www.national.com

SMR filter

Trilithic's RF & Microwave Components division's CFB6-815 series filters feature a passband of 806 MHz to 824 MHz and is ideally suited for in-building bidirectional amplifier applications that require a compact mechanical package. Isolation is specified at 90 dB at Fc ±36 MHz and the insertion loss is 1.0 dB. The design provides high “Q” and stable temperature performance and provides an excellent building block for compact diplexers and multiplexers. Dimensions are 1.90 in. × 3.063 in. × 6.094 in.
Trilithic
(800) 344-2412
www.trilithic.com

Digital signal conditioner

The model 4338 CellMite linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) digital signal conditioner has been incorporated into Electro Standard's Laboratories' (ESL's) CellMite product line. The CellMite LVDT connects to a standard ac LVDT transducer and simultaneously generates a serial output for connection to a PC and a ±10 V analog output. Its multidrop RS-232 serial port and simple command set allow for connection of multiple units in a serial network configuration. This CellMite is suited for in-situ transducer conditioning and distributed process measurements.

The CellMite LVDT features non-volatile memory for parameter and calibration storage. The user selects between three stored LVDT calibrations. Automatic LVDT identification is provided with ESL's TEDS-Tag technology. Multipoint and mV/V calibration, internal generation of precision sine wave ac excitation voltage, remote sense excitation, and 24-bit internal resolution with 16-bit analog output are standard. CellView software and software drivers are optional.
Electro Standards Laboratories
(877) 943-1164
www.electrostandards.com

Analog input board

United Electronic Industries' (UEI) DNA-AI-225 analog input board features 25 differential input channels with 24-bit resolution and a maximum sampling rate of 1 ks/s per channel (25 ksps aggregate for the board). The AI-225 has a separate ADC for each channel. This configuration eliminates the noise and offset errors associated with multiplexed inputs and at the same time allows all 25 channels to be sampled simultaneously.

Using the DNA-AI-225, up to 150 analog input channels fit in a single 4.0 in. × 4 in, × 5.8 in. Ethernet-based I/O cube. The board includes software drivers for all popular Windows programming languages and applications including LabVIEW and MATLAB. Drivers are also included for Linux, RTX, Linux RT and most other real-time operating systems. QNX drivers are also available. The DNA-AI-225 is priced at $1600 each.
UEI
(781) 821-2890
www.ueidaq.com

Multimedia switch

Fairchild Semiconductor's integrated multimedia switches, the FSA201 and FSA221, integrate USB and low-distortion audio switching functionality into a single package. This integration enables portable applications to handle USB or audio signals via one connector and helps designers eliminate additional components. These compact double pole/double throw (DPDT) analog switches are suited for use in electronic products that demand high functionality in a limited space.

Offering a negative-swing capability of -2.0 V, the switches improve system performance by enhancing signal quality, while reducing current consumption and extending battery life due to an on-resistance of Ron = 3 Ω. Additionally, their 10 kV ESD protection enhances system reliability. For board space savings, the FSA201 USB 1.1 full speed (12 Mbps) device is available in an 1.6 mm × 2.1 mm MicroPak. The FSA221 USB 2.0 high-speed (480 Mbps) device is also available in a ultrathin molded leadless package measuring 1.4 mm × 1.8 mm × 0.55 mm.

Additional system benefits of the FSA201 and FSA221 (HS) include automatic V_BUS detection to find the USB signal upon plug-in of the application; user-override of V_BUS detection; built in power-off protection to conserve energy; and wide bandwidth (FSA221 >720 MHz and FSA201 >250 MHz, -3 dB) to ensure signal fidelity by minimizing edge and phase distortion. Pricing for 1000 pieces is $1.10 for the FSA201 and $1.25 for the FSA221. Samples and demo board are available.
Fairchild Semiconductor
(800) 341-0392
www.fairchildsemi.com

Notch filer

The WSN-00256 from K&L Microwave is a 941 MHz pager interference notch filter. The filter mitigates signal interference caused by co-location of paging and cellular systems in buildings and businesses of all types.

This custom notch filter is highly selective with 45 dB minimum rejection from 940 MHz to 943 MHz and is temperature stabilized from 0 °C to 50 °C. The 941 MHz notch filter maximizes performance trade-offs between sharp-shape factors and band-edge insertion losses.

K&L Microwave's interference mitigation products push the performance envelope by using quasi-elliptic responses coupled with high-Q ceramic resonators.
K&L Microwave
(410) 749-2424
www.klmicrowave.com