Tiny Delta-Sigma ADCs Deliver Big Performance

Claimed as the world's smallest 16- and 20-bit delta-sigma A/D converters, the CS551x family comes in a space-efficient 8-pin package. The devices feature fully differential analog inputs and an output word rate of up to 163 Hz with power consumption of less than 2 mW. They're said to deliver five times the throughput of other 8-pin delta-sigma ADCs at lower cost. Differential inputs are coupled with a wide-range voltage reference (250 mV to 5V), which allows the converter to interface to low-level analog signals from various types of sensors without need for external amplifiers.