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Features & Benefits

  • 16-bit 6MSPS SAR ADC system
  • Low power driver
  • Ideal for multiplexed data acquisition

Circuit Function & Benefits

The circuit in Figure 1 is a 16-bit, 6 MSPS, successive approximation (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and differential-to-differential driver combination optimized for low noise (signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) = 88.6 dB) and low distortion (total harmonic distortion (THD) = −110 dBc) at low power. The circuit is ideal for high performance multiplexed data acquisition systems, such as portable digital x-ray systems and security scanners, because the SAR architecture can sample without the latency or pipeline delay typically incurred with pipeline ADCs. The 6 MSPS sampling rate allows fast sampling of multiple channels, and the ADC has true 16-bit dc linearity performance and a serial low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) interface for low pin count and low digital noise.

Figure 1. The ADA4897-1 Driving the AD7625 (All Connections and Decoupling Not Shown)

 

The driver uses two low noise (1 nV/√Hz) ADA4897-1 op amps that maintain the dynamic performance of the AD7625 ADC at low power levels (3 mA per amplifier). The fast settling time (45 ns to 0.1%) of ADA4897-1 makes them ideal for multiplexed applications.

This combination offers industry-leading dynamic performance at low power in a small board area with the AD7625 in a 5 mm × 5 mm, 32-lead LFCSP; the ADA4897-1 in an 8-lead SOIC; and the AD8031 in a 5-lead SOT-23 package.

Circuit Description

The ADA4897-1 has low distortion (−93 dB spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) at 1 MHz), a fast settling time (36 ns to 0.1%), and high bandwidth (230 MHz, −3 dB, G = 1). Both ADA4897-1 drivers are configured with a gain of 1. The single-pole 142 MHz low-pass RC filter, using a 20 Ω resistor and 56 pF capacitor, is placed between each of the drivers and the ADC. This filter limits the output noise of the op amp at the inputs of the AD7625 and provides some attenuation of the out-of-band harmonics.

The common-mode voltage at the output of the ADA4897-1 is set by buffering the VCM output voltage (nominally 2.048 V) of the AD7625 using the AD8031 configured as a unity-gain buffer. The common-mode bias voltage is applied to the inputs through the 590 Ω series resistors. The AD8031 is ideal for driving the common-mode voltage because of its low output impedance and fast settling from transient currents.

The AD7625 achieves industry breakthrough dynamic performance of 92 dB SNR at 6 MSPS with a 16-bit (1 LSB) integral nonlinearity (INL) performance using an LVDS interface. The ADR434 voltage reference (4.096 V) is a low noise, high accuracy XFET reference with low temperature drift. It can source up to 30 mA of output current and sink up to 20 mA.

The ADR434 is available in either an 8-lead MSOP or an 8-lead, narrow SOIC package. An AD8031 op amp isolates the ADR434 output from the reference input of the AD7625 and provides low impedance and fast settling to the transient current on the REF input.

The dual driver requires only 54 mW, and when added to the ADC power of 135 mW, and the reference and reference buffer power of 12 mW, yields a total power of only 201 mW for the entire circuit.

The circuit uses supplies of +7 V and −2 V for the input of the ADA4897-1 drivers to minimize power dissipation and to achieve the optimum system distortion performance. The ADA4897-1 output stage is rail-to-rail and swings between 150 mV and 4.85 V when operating on a single 5 V supply. However, the additional 2 V headroom at each end of the range provides lower distortion.

Figure 2 shows the ac performance of the circuit using +7 V and −2 V supplies for the input stage. The SNR = 88.6 dB, THD = −110.7 dB, with a 20 kHz input signal 0.6 dB below full scale (93% full scale).

Figure 2. AD7625 and ADA4897-1 in Dual Supply Operation (+7 V, −2 V), SNR = 88.6 dB, THD = −110.7 dB, Fundamental Amplitude = −0.6 dB of Full Scale

 

Figure 3 shows the ac performance of the circuit using a single 5 V supply for the input stage. The SNR = 86.7 dB, THD = −101.1 dB, with a 20 kHz input signal 1.55 dB below full scale (84% full scale).

Figure 3. AD7625 and ADA4897-1 in Single Supply Operation (5 V), SNR = 86.7 dB, THD = −101.1 dB, Fundamental Amplitude = −1.55 dB of Full Scale

 

The data shows an approximate 1.9 dB degradation in SNR and a 9.6 dB degradation in THD due to reducing the supply voltage from −2 V, +7 V to 0 V, + 5V.

The single supply configuration is useful for the users who do not have dual supplies in their system but still must achieve high performance.

Common Variations

The AD7625 has an integrated internal reference as well as two provisions for external references if system requirements dictate. The reference voltage can be generated by applying the ADR3412 reference (1.2 V) output to the REFIN pin, which is amplified internally by the on-chip reference buffer to the correct ADC reference value of 4.096 V. The ADR3412 can be supplied by the same 5 V analog rail used for the AD7625 and also make use of the on-chip reference buffer.

Alternatively, a 4.096 V external reference, such as the ADR434 or ADR444, can be connected to the unbuffered REF input of the ADC using a buffer amplifier such as the AD8031 as shown in Figure 1. This approach is common for multichannel applications where the system reference is shared by several ADCs.

The ADR434 and ADR444 configurations also excel for single channel applications where a low reference temperature coefficient (3 ppm/°C maximum for ADR434B and ADR444B) is required. The 7 V rail used to supply the ADA4897-1 op amps can also supply the VIN supply pin of the ADR434 or ADR444.

Another attractive 4.096 V reference is the ADR4540 low dropout (>300 mV) high accuracy reference that allows operation on a 5 V supply.

The ADA4897-1 and AD8031 single op amps can be replaced with their dual versions (ADA4897-2 and AD8032, respectively) if desired.

For high input frequencies up to 3 MHz, the ADA4899-1 (15 mA/amp) is the recommended driving amplifier.

The ADA4938-1 (37 mA/amp) is excellent for signals up to 10 MHz and can also be used as a single-ended-to-differential converter.

The performance of this or any high speed circuit is highly dependent on proper printed circuit board (PCB) layout. This includes, but is not limited to, power supply bypassing, controlled impedance lines (where required), component placement, signal routing, and power and ground planes. (See MT-031 Tutorial, MT-101 Tutorial, and the article A Practical Guide to High-Speed Printed-Circuit-Board Layout for more detailed information regarding PCB layout.)

Circuit Evaluation & Test

The EVAL-AD7625EDZ evaluation board was developed to evaluate and test the AD7625 ADC. To test the circuit shown in Figure 1, the two ADA4899-1 op amps (U13, U14) were replaced with two ADA4897-1 op amps.

A detailed schematic and user instructions are available in the EVAL- AD7625EDZ documentation. This documentation describes how to run the ac tests described in this circuit note.

Note that the +7 V and −2 V supplies for the input amplifiers are connected to the EVAL-AD7625EDZ board from the external dual power supply.

A functional block diagram of the test setup is shown in Figure 4, and a photograph of the evaluation board is shown in Figure 5.


Equipment Needed

The following equipment is required to test the circuit:

  • The EVAL-AD7625EDZ modified evaluation board (includes software and 7 V dc wall wart power supply)
  • The EVAL-CED1Z converter evaluation and demonstration platform board
  • A low distortion signal generator, such as the Agilent 81150A or Audio Precision SYS2702
  • A PC with a USB 2.0 port running Windows® XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (32-Bit or 64-bit)
  • A 7 V dc wall wart (included with evaluation board)
  • External +7 V and −2 V dc supplies at 50 mA.

Figure 4. Functional Diagram of Test Setup

 

Figure 5. Modified EVAL-AD7625EDZ Board Connected to EVAL-CED1Z Board