NATIONAL Semiconductor, represented in Australia by Arrow Electronics , has released 12 low-power, 10 and 12-bit analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs). The pin and function-compatible ADCs allow users to move from eight to 12 bits and across three speed ranges from 50ksps and 1Msps without having to modify their boards.
In consumer applications such as digital cameras, the continuous demand for newer models places tremendous pressure on engineers to develop platforms that can be easily upgraded every six to eight months.
The ADCs allow designers to upgrade products by simply dropping in a higher-speed or higher-resolution ADC without modifying the board.
The ADC family will include 8, 10 and 12-bit parts in one, two, four and eight-channel configurations across three speed ranges for a total of 36 parts covering the most common general-purpose applications.
The 12-bit, two and four-channel ADCs provide no missing codes to 12 bits, ±1LSB integral non-linearity, ±1LSB differential non-linearity and 71dB minimum signal-to-noise ratio. Typical power consumption is as low as 1.9mW at 3 V. The ADCs can also be paired with one of National's general-purpose amplifiers to provide a high-performance signal path solution.