Analog Devices Introduces Lowest Noise Precision Amplifier for Low-Voltage Applications.

NORWOOD, Mass. -- New amplifier delivers maximum performance and value to instrumentation, audio, communications, consumer and medical applications.

Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal-processing applications and market leader in amplifiers, today released a precision amplifier optimized for the low-noise requirements of instrumentation, audio, communications and medical applications operating at 5 volts and below. Prior to the AD8655, applications requiring low-noise performance had to use higher-priced bipolar amplifiers designed for higher-voltage applications or add discrete components that require more board space and increase system costs. For low-voltage applications, the AD8655 is the industry's lowest noise precision amplifier designed for +2.7 V to +5 V operation, delivering up to two-thirds lower noise than competing solutions, at a price point significantly below that of bipolar solutions.

"For low-voltage applications, excellent noise performance of only 2.7 nV/root Hz and high precision are essential to achieving system performance and improving resolution and accuracy," said Steve Sockolov, product line director for precision amplifiers at Analog Devices. "Prior to the AD8655, there was no solution that met the noise, accuracy, size and price requirements of many low-voltage applications."

The low-noise of the AD8655 makes it the best choice for a variety of low-voltage products in the industrial, communications, consumer and medical markets. The AD8655's low distortion, wide dynamic range and high output current are ideal for microphone pre-amps, filters and line input buffering in consumer and audio applications such as PDAs (personal data assistants), cellular phone handsets and headphone drivers. For instrumentation applications, the low-distortion and fast settling time of the AD8655 work particularly well driving high-precision ADCs (analog-to-digital converters), such as ADI's AD7685, to maintain the accuracy needed in data acquisition and automatic test equipment systems.

About the AD8655

The AD8655 leverages ADI's DigiTrim(TM) in-package trim technology, to offer high dc accuracy at low cost. The AD8655 is the first in a family of amplifiers optimized for low-noise, low-voltage applications. Circuit designers at Analog Devices leveraged the low-voltage advantages of CMOS, while overcoming the electrical performance-limiting characteristics of the process technology, to design an amplifier core that will be used in a family of products, including dual and quad versions which will be available this year.

For applications operating from 2.7 to 5.5 volts, the AD8655 delivers the lowest noise--2.7 nV/root Hz at 10 kHz--and the lowest distortion of 0.0008%, eliminating the need for external transistor stages or multiple parallel amplifiers to lower system level noise, and also improving the signal-to-noise ratio and resolution. The low offset of 250 micron V max over the full common-mode voltage range provides high dc accuracy without system trimming. The rail-to-rail input and output of the AD8655 makes it ideal for driving ADCs and buffering DACs (digital-to-analog converters) in high accuracy systems.

Fully specified to operate over a temperature range of -40 degree C to + 125 degree C, the AD8655 also features a bandwidth of 28 MHz and offset voltage drift of 0.4 micron V/ degree C typical and 2.3 micron V/ degree C maximum.

Pricing and Availability

The AD8655 low-noise amplifier is available now in 8-lead MSOP and 8-lead SOIC packaging and is priced at 70 cents per unit in 1,000-piece quantities. For more information, visit www.analog.com/AD8655.

About Analog Devices

Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the most long-standing, high-growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers around the world, representing virtually all types of electronics equipment. Celebrating 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices, Inc. is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 8,900 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, and the Philippines. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and ADI is included in the S&P 500 Index.