Date: 15/07/2010

12-bit SAR ADC from TI uses only 5 microwatts to smartly scan 4 ADC channels

Texas Instruments has unveiled the 12-bit ADS7924 successive approximation (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This device has an efficient power management system thus allowing the 2.2-V ADS7924 to work with any low-power system that requires sensor monitoring to potentially lower power across the system by more than 50 percent, according to TI.

Once programmed through its I2C interface, the device can operate independently, periodically waking itself to scan all four ADC channels while using only 5uW. This frees the MCU to process other activities or power down entirely to yield significant power savings in energy harvesting, medical, communications, remote sensor signal monitoring, and portable applications.

Some of the key features of the ADS7924 are:
1. For applications requiring additional signal conditioning, the device can share one operational amplifier for all four channels.
2. The ADS7924 can wake up and shut down the op amp to synchronize with the sampling and conversion timing of the ADS7924.
3. Uses TI's ultra-low power MSP430™ MCU platform to enhance the ADS7924's performance for energy harvesting and portable medical, communications, and remote sensor signal monitoring applications.


Package: 24-pin, 3-mm x 3-mm QFN package

Price:
The ADS7924 is priced at US$1.25 for 1,000-unit quantities.
The ADS7924EVM is priced at US$49.

Availability: Now

For more information visit: www.ti.com