New Analog Devices Analog-to-Digital Converter Packs Speed and Precision into Industry's Smallest 18-Bit Device.

NORWOOD, Mass. -- 3 mm x 5 mm package means space- and power-constrained instrumentation applications no longer sacrifice signal conversion performance.

Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI), the world leader in data converter technology, today introduced the industry's first 18-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to deliver 400-kSPS (kilo-samples-per-second) data rates in a 3 mm x 5 mm MSOP (mini-small-outline package) package and also a 3 mm x 3 mm LFCSP (lead frame, chip scale package), the world's smallest leadless package. Targeted at applications - such as battery operated medical equipment, remote and isolated data acquisition systems and industrial smart sensors - that can take advantage of its unique combination of speed, performance, low power and small package, the AD7690 is designed for applications where board space is at a premium but speed and accuracy cannot be sacrificed. In addition to doubling speed and enabling a 40 percent reduction in board space, the AD7690 has an SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) of 102 dB, making the 18-bit device 6 dB more accurate than the closest competing ADC.

"A wide range of modern day converters might excel in one dimension, but fall short of meeting the customer needs across all the dimensions that must be balanced for a successful system design. For most instrumentation converters, the compromise has typically been power consumption and size," said Mike Britchfield, product line director of precision signal processing, Analog Devices. "We understand that designers of instrumentation applications are facing the same board constraints as portable applications and with our new AD7690, they no longer have to make complex trade-offs to design a system with speed, precision and portability."

Low Power SAR Ideal for Battery-Powered Devices

In addition to its increased precision, higher speed, and smaller package, the AD7690 consumes 80 percent less power than competing devices, making it a natural fit for battery-powered portable and handheld instrumentation applications. At its highest throughput rate of 400kSPS, the AD7690 dissipates 20 mW compared to 110 mW for the closest competing ADC. The device powers down automatically at the end of each conversion, so the power scales linearly with the sampling rate, making the part ideal for low-battery powered applications.

18-Bit Sampling with No Missing Codes

The AD7690 is a member of the Analog Devices' PulSAR(R) family of successive approximation ADCs, the most cost-effective technology for applications that require precise digital modeling of analog signals. The device's DNL (differential linearity) of +/-1 LSB (least significant bit) makes it the first ADC to offer true 18-bit linearity in an MSOP package with zero data latency. The AD7690 also achieves a typical INL (integral nonlinearity) specification of +/- 1LSB (least significant bit), a critical specification for engineers designing instrumentation devices capable of providing more accurate test measurements.

The AD7690 provides an on-chip track-and-hold, and exhibits no pipeline delay or latency, making it ideal for multiple multiplexed-channel applications. It operates from a single 5-V power supply; an optional I/O supply ensures compatibility with 1.8-, 2.5-, 3- and 5-V logic using the SPI-compatible serial interface. The serial interface also enables designers to "daisy chain" multiple ADCs using a single wire interface - reducing external component count and wiring connections - and provides an optional BUSY indicator for added flexibility. The device also includes an internal conversion clock, eliminating the need for an external clocking device.

In addition to the AD7690, Analog Devices is introducing the AD7691, which also delivers 18-bit linearity for applications that don't have the same speed requirements or board space limitations. The AD7691 provides throughput of 250kSPS and operates on a 2.7- or 5-V single power supply. The devices work well with the ADA4941-1, a 16- and 18-bit single-ended to differential ADC driver from Analog Devices.

Pricing and Availability

The AD7690 and AD7691 are sampling now with production quantities available in February 2006. Both devices are available in the 3 mm x 3mm MSOP package, as well as the 3 mm x 3 mm LFCSP package. The AD7690 and AD7691 are priced at $19.50 and $14.50, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities. For more information, please visit http://www.analog.com/AD7690.

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 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 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.

PulSAR is a registered trademark of Analog Devices, Inc.