BIG DATA (Conversion) The products powering the digital revolution

Data converters are the backbone of many test and measurement instruments’ digital transition, and with more and more instruments showing high-definition information on more displays than ever, reliance on these converters continues to grow. Vendors are challenged to pack as much analog-to-digital ADC or digital-to-analog (DAC) performance as they can into such converters while minimizing form factor. Depending on the application, some data converters must be custom-made and built into an existing product, while other standalone converters can be applied across several applications.

A 2017 report by MarketsAndMarkets stated that the global data converter market was expected to grow from $3.35 billion in 2016 to $5.08 billion by 2023 at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2017-2013, with that high growth “driven by the increasing adoption of technologically advanced data acquisition systems and the rising demand for test and measurement solutions by end users.”

Here's a look at some data converter products recently put on the market.

Precision ±10V and 0-20mA A/D converters

Analog Devices (ADI) has introduced two multichannel ±10V and 0-20mA precision A/D converters that better enable implementation of programmable logic controller (PLC) and

distributed control system (DCS) modules. Leveraging ADI’s iPassives integrated precision passives technology, the AD4111 and AD4112 A/D converters integrate precision matched current sense resistors and resistor dividers. The high degree of channel-to-channel matching simplifies calibration requirements, and with support for up to eight single-ended voltage inputs and four current inputs, makes the new products suitable for use as reconfigurable platform solutions, while reducing size, complexity, and cost in PLC and DCS modules. The AD4111 and the AD4112 A/D converters can accept ±10V while meeting performance specifications and has a functional range of ±20V, adding over-range margin to the nominal ±10V. They can also accept currents of –0.5 to 24mA while meeting performance specifications. This allows reliable measurements close to 0mA and provides over range margin past 20mA. Analog Devices

Jade Architecture SOSA Aligned LVDS XMC Module with Optical I/O

Pentek has introduced the newest member of the Jade family of data converter XMC modules. The Model 71813 is based on the Xilinx Kintex Ultrascale FPGA and features 28 pairs of LVDS digital I/O to meet the requirements of emerging standards from The Open Group Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Consortium, of which Pentek is a member. Pentek says Model 71813 is also the industry’s first such XMC to implement an optional front panel optical interface supporting four 12Gbps lanes to the FPGA. The Model 71813 routes 28 pairs of LVDS connections from the FPGA to the XMC P16 connector for custom I/O. When mounted on a compatible single board computer, the Model 71813 provides a customizable I/O signal status and control interface. In the case of VPX implementation, the I/O is routed to the backplane where it can handle control and command signals to the chassis being defined in the evolving SOSA initiative. Pentek

Tiny, precision data converters for performance, small footprint

Texas Instruments has introduced four tiny precision data converters, and the company says each is the industry’s smallest in its class. The new data converters enable designers to add more intelligence and functionality, while shrinking system board space. The DAC80508 and DAC70508 are eight-channel precision digital-to-analog converters that provide true 16- and 14-bit resolution, respectively. The ADS122C04 and ADS122U04 are 24-bit precision analog-to-digital converters that feature a two-wire, I2C-compatible interface and a two-wire, UART-compatible interface, respectively. These new devices join a portfolio of precision ADCs and DACs optimized for a variety of small-size, high-performance or cost-sensitive industrial, communications and personal electronics applications. Mouser Electronics

3Msps, Low-Power, Serial 12-Bit ADC

The MAX19777, from Maxim Integrated, is a 12-bit, compact, high-speed, low-power, successive approximation analog-to-digital converter. This high-performance ADC includes a

high dynamic range sample-and-hold, as well as a high-speed serial interface. The MAX19777 features dual, single-ended analog inputs connected to the ADC core using a 2:1 MUX. This ADC operates from a 2.2V to 3.3V supply and consumes only 6.2mW at 3Msps. The device includes a full power-down mode and fast wake up for optimal power management and a high-speed 3-wire serial interface. The 3-wire serial interface directly connects to SPI, QSPI, and MICROWIRE devices without external logic. The company says the MAX19777’s dynamic performance, low voltage, low power, ease-of-use, and small package size make it an idea converter for portable, battery-powered data-acquisition applications, as well as for other applications that demand low power consumption and minimal space. This ADC is available in an 8-pin wafer-level package. This device operates over the -40°C to +125°C temperature range.Maxim Integrated

SA220 14-bit ADC Card, 2 GS/s

Acqiris has announced the new SA220 14-bit ADC card, the first addition to its new SA2 platform that is specifically optimized for OEM requirements. It leverages the company’s new

high-performance 14-bit ADC card technology—which performs fast signal acquisitions from 1 GS/s up to 10 GS/s—with excellent signal fidelity across a wide bandwidth. The SA220 is an entry model of the SA2 new product generation and a unique DC-coupled acquisition card, featuring: 14-bit resolution; 2 GS/s sampling rate on 2 channels; DC up to 1.2 GHz bandwidth; dedicated real time-processing with streaming at up to 6.5 GB/s; and high signal performance and dynamic range (70 dBc SFDR). Two form factors are available: The SA220P ADC Card with PCIe interface, and the SA220E module with a high-speed serial interface. Acqiris