Analog Devices Introduces Multi-Channel Data Converters for Industrial and Automated Test Equipment Applications.

NORWOOD, Mass. -- New digital-to-analog converters leverage ADI's iCMOS(TM) process technology to offer higher levels of precision and programmability in a compact footprint.

Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal-processing applications and the market leader in data conversion technology, is introducing eight multi-channel monolithic digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that pack the highest concentration of analog signal processing performance in a single device to resolve design challenges in industrial and instrumentation applications, which demand high precision in small spaces. Developed using Analog Devices' patented iCMOS process technology, the new DACs extend the company's denseDAC(TM) family of high-density converters, combining up to 40 channels, high accuracy, and +/-10V output range, in a compact (9 mm x 9 mm) footprint. New programmable on-chip features, such as calibration registers (to compensate for signal errors) and automatic shutdown, ensure system reliability in harsh, high voltage industrial environments, while simplifying board layout. These devices satisfy the needs of today's systems designers trying to squeeze more and more functionality into smaller board space, particularly in ATE (pin-electronics), optical networking (switches, VOAs) and precision instrumentation applications (oscilloscopes, data generators, industrial I/O cards).

"Analog Devices' new AD536x and AD537x DAC families address industrial customers' design concerns along multiple performance dimensions - integration, resolution and channel density," said Mike Britchfield, product line director, Precision Signal Processing, Analog Devices. "This is achieved by using our patented iCMOS technology, which enables us to pack multiple high voltage DACs and a large amount of digital functionality into tiny CSP packages."

About the AD5362 Multi-channel DAC

The AD5362 denseDAC is the industry's first 8-channel DAC with bipolar voltage outputs, 16-bit differential nonlinearity (DNL) and 14-bit integral nonlinearity (INL). In addition, the new DAC incorporates individual user-programmable offset and gain registers per channel, enabling board designers to calibrate their systems and compensate for signal errors that may occur elsewhere in the signal chain. A 50 MHz SPI-compatible serial interface offers group addressing, facilitating fast updating of multiple DAC channels. It also offers flexible diagnostic features, including readback and packet error checking (PEC).

Additionally, the programmable output span of the AD5362 allows users to assign different voltage ranges to different output pins within a 20 V span (the nominal output range is +/- 10 V). This gives designers greater freedom to customize industrial products, such as PLC I/O cards, where the ability to provide selectable voltage output ranges previously required the added expense and design complexity of external analog circuitry. The AD5362 also includes a temperature sensor, a thermal monitor mode, a voltage monitor multiplexer, and a power-down mode--all of which are useful in system monitoring.

The AD5362 is available in an 8 mm x 8 mm 56-lead LFCSP package. Other members of the pin-compatible AD536x family offer higher channel (16-channel) or lower resolution (14-bit) alternatives.

About the AD5370 Multi-channel DAC

The AD5370 is a 40-channel DAC offering 16-bit DNL and 14-bit INL, thereby providing the channel density and performance required by manufacturers of high-precision automated test equipment (ATE), optical networking, and industrial and instrumentation (I&I) applications. Its small (9 mm x 9 mm) package offers a reduced footprint for cost- and space-constrained applications without compromising throughput. In addition to a 50MHz SPI-compatible serial interface, the new DAC offers user-programmable offset and gain registers for easier and more precise system calibration, as well as a programmable 20 V output span to provide flexibility in customizing voltage output levels. For even greater addressing flexibility, the device is divided into five groups of eight DACs. A separate input pin is also provided for each group to enable remote ground sensing. Furthermore, the AD5370 has two Vref pins and two offset DACs, enabling the user to set different output voltage ranges.

Pricing and Availability

The AD536x and AD537x DACs are sampling now, with full production quantities available beginning June 2006. Additional information can be found at www.analog.com/denseDAC

1K Per-
            No. of DAC                                        Unit
Part Number  channels  Resolution  Packaging                  Price
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------------------- ---------
                                   8 mm x 8 mm 56-LFCSP
AD5360         16      16-bit      10 mm x 10 mm 52-LQFP      $29.90
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------------------- ---------
                                   8 mm x 8 mm 56-LFCSP
AD5361         16      14-bit      10 mm x 10 mm 52-LQFP      $27.50
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------------------- ---------
                                   8 mm x 8 mm 56-LFCSP
AD5362          8      16-bit      10 mm x 10 mm 52-LQFP      $23.90
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------------------- ---------
                                   8 mm x 8 mm 56-LFCSP
AD5363          8      14-bit      10 mm x 10 mm 52-LQFP      $19.50
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------------------- ---------
                                   9 mm x 9 mm 64-LFCSP
AD5370         40      16-bit      10 mm x 10 mm 64-LQFP      $62.90
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------------------- ---------
                                   10 mm x 10 mm 100-CSPBGA
AD5371         40      14-bit      12 mm x 12 mm 80-LQFP      $58.50
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------------------- ---------
                                   8 mm x 8 mm 56-LFCSP
AD5372         32      16-bit      10 mm x 10 mm 64-LQFP      $52.90
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------------------- ---------
                                   8 mm x 8 mm 56-LFCSP
AD5373         32      14-bit      10 mm x 10 mm 64-LQFP      $47.50
----------- ---------- ----------- ------------------------- ---------

About ADI's iCMOS Process

The result of significant, multi-year R&D investments, Analog Devices' iCMOS industrial manufacturing process technology combines high-voltage silicon with submicron CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) and complementary bipolar technologies. It enables the development of a wide range of high-performance analog ICs capable of 30-V operation in a smaller footprint, which no other generation of high-voltage parts has been able to achieve. Unlike analog ICs using conventional CMOS processes, iCMOS components can tolerate high supply voltages, while providing increased performance, dramatically lower power consumption, and reduced package size. For more information, please visit http://www.analog.com/iCMOS.

Analog Devices in Industrial

Analog Devices has a 40-year heritage of working in concert with its customers in the industrial manufacturing industry to define, develop and deploy complete signal chain solutions that are optimized for their applications. ADI's legacy of supporting the industrial sector's long product life cycles with multi-year manufacturing commitments is augmented by the company's educated sales force, knowledgeable field applications engineers and advanced design support tools that include evaluation boards and SPICE models.

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 electronic equipment. Celebrating 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 8,900 people worldwide. The company has 30 product design centers around the world and manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland and the Philippines. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "ADI" and is included in the S&P 500 Index.

iCMOS and denseDAC are trademarks of Analog Devices, Inc.