Analog Devices Targets Medical Imaging Applications with Industry's First High-Speed, 14-Bit Quad ADC.

NORWOOD, Mass. -- New high-speed, low-power, quad ADCs with serial outputs reduce board space and enable high-resolution in multi-channel medical imaging systems.

Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), the world leader in data converter technology, announced today that it is extending its family of high-speed, multi-channel analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with the introduction of the industry's first high-speed, 14-bit data converter with four analog-to-digital conversion channels (quad ADC). The AD9259 is designed for high-end ultrasound and imaging systems, which consist of up to 512 channels and require high dynamic range in order to show the slightest differences in echo magnitudes. In addition to LVDS outputs, which simplify board layout and enable more data conversion paths to be routed within a given printed circuit board (PCB) area, the new quad ADC clocks at 50 MSPS, offers a 3-dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over 12-bit multi-channel ADCs available today, and reduces power consumption by nearly one-third compared to that of competitive devices.

Analog Devices also is announcing the AD9287 8-bit quad ADC, extending ADI's family of high-speed, quad ADCs from 8 to 14 bits. The AD9287 features sample rates up to 100 MSPS and consumes 126 mW per channel. From handheld medical imaging solutions that use 8- or 10-bit ADCs to rolling ultrasound units that require 12- or 14-bit ADCs, ADI provides medical imaging designers with an extensive line of low-power, high-SNR converter solutions.

"The dynamic range, resolution and low-power-per-channel innovations embodied in the AD9259 solve many of the challenges facing systems designers as medical imaging technology evolves," said Kevin Kattmann, Product Line Director, High Speed Signal Processing, Analog Devices. "In ultrasound systems that feature up to 512 channels, the AD9259 not only enables precise imaging, but also saves board space through serial output routing and can save up to 12 W of power over previously available solutions."

About the AD9259

The AD9259 operates at 50 MSPS (mega samples per second) and achieves 73 dB SNR to Nyquist, making it a compelling solution for multi-channel imaging applications that require precise imaging capabilities. As the industry's only high-speed 14-bit quad ADC, the AD9259 is half the size of competing 10- and 12-bit quad ADCs and up to 40 percent smaller than competing 14-bit dual ADCs, allowing designers to add more channels to their given systems.

Operating at 1.8 V, the low-power AD9259 consumes only 95 mW per channel, 20 percent lower than other 12-bit quad ADCs and more than 50 percent lower than available 14-bit dual ADCs. Like other members of ADI's high-speed ADC family, the AD9259 features a programmable clock, data alignment, and digital test pattern generation using a serial port interface (SPI) that improves designers' ability to control and synchronize output data.

The AD9259, when paired with the AD8334 quad VGA (variable gain amplifier) forms an optimized, low-noise analog front end (AFE) that increases dynamic range and image quality.

Pricing and Availability

The AD9259 and AD9287 are available in 7 mm x 7 mm, 48-lead LFCSP (lead-frame chip-scale) packages. Both devices are sampling now, with full production quantities available in June 2006. The AD9259 and AD9287 are priced at $72.25 and $19.00, respectively, in 1,000-piece quantities.

ADI's Data Conversion Technology: Critical Bridge Between Analog and Digital

Analog Devices is the world leader in data conversion technology. ADI's longstanding leadership in data conversion technology stems from an engineering culture that emphasizes deep understanding of the customer's system challenge, aggressive research and development investing and unmatched mixed-signal design expertise. From application-specific solutions designed to lower system cost to the broadest selection of speed, accuracy size and power consumption in DACs and ADCs, Analog Devices provides the products, technology and support customers need to successfully bridge between real-world analog signals and the digital world of electronic equipment. ADI's data converters are used widely in consumer electronics, broadband and wireless communications, automotive systems, industrial and instrumentation equipment, and medical electronics, as well as a host of other emerging market applications.

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 more than 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.