National Semiconductor has introduced a dual-channel 8bit A/D convertor with record low-power dissipation levels

The ADCV08832 expends just 1mW (typical) when operating at a 2MHz clock rate from a single +3.3V supply. This drops to 25uW (typical) in the power-down "sleep" mode. A track and hold function speeds performance by allowing the analogue voltage at the positive input to vary during the actual A/D conversion.

This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 9 February 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The two-channel multiplexed input can be configured single ended or differentially to provide greater flexibility to system designers.

Because of its small size, low power and auto-shutdown features, the ADCV08832 is well suited for a variety of portable battery-operated communication functions such as touch-screen displays on information appliances.

The new device's 3-wire SPI, Microwire interface links the serial I/O with microprocessors, MCUs, PLDs, DSPs or standard shift registers, giving designers the extra flexibility they require to enhance overall system accuracy.

The part can be located right at the analogue signal source, eliminating the transmission of low-level analogue signals and allowing highly noise-immune serial bit streams of digital data to communicate with a controlling processor.

The ADCV08832 uses a single comparator structure for converting the input voltage with a successive-approximation routine.

Its serial communication format, consisting of a serial datalink with the controlling processor, allows the integration of many functions in a small package.

Other unique accuracy-enhancing advantages include a total unadjusted error of just +/-0.8LSB and no missing codes over the entire temperature range.

The ADCV08832CIM is available now in SOIC-8 packages.