**The AD7690BRMZ-RL7: A 16-Bit, 250 kSPS PulSAR ADC for Precision Data Acquisition Systems**

In the realm of precision electronics, the accuracy and reliability of data acquisition systems are paramount. At the heart of these systems lies the analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a critical component responsible for translating real-world analog signals into precise digital data. The **AD7690BRMZ-RL7 from Analog Devices** stands out as a premier solution, engineered to meet the rigorous demands of high-performance applications. This 16-bit, 250 kSPS successive approximation register (SAR) ADC combines exceptional accuracy with low power consumption, making it an ideal choice for a wide array of industrial, medical, and instrumentation systems.

**Unpacking the Core Technology: The PulSAR Architecture**

The AD7690 leverages Analog Devices' proprietary **PulSAR® ADC technology**, a hallmark of precision and stability. Unlike delta-sigma (ΔΣ) ADCs that excel at higher resolutions but may suffer from latency, or pipeline ADCs optimized for speed at the expense of power, the SAR architecture offers an optimal balance. It provides **excellent linearity and fast response times** without the phase delay associated with oversampling converters. This makes the AD7690 particularly suited for applications requiring instantaneous feedback, such as motor control, power quality monitoring, and biomedical signal processing.

**Key Performance Characteristics**

The AD7690 delivers **outstanding DC and AC performance**. It boasts a typical integral nonlinearity (INL) of ±0.4 LSB, ensuring that the digital output is a faithful representation of the analog input across its entire range. With a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 93 dB and a total harmonic distortion (THD) of -110 dB at 1 kHz, the converter captures signals with remarkable clarity, even in the presence of noise. Its **250 kilosamples per second (kSPS) throughput rate** provides ample speed for multiplexed systems sampling multiple channels.

A significant advantage of the AD7690 is its **remarkably low power consumption**. Operating from a single 5 V supply, it consumes just 12.5 mW at 250 kSPS. This efficiency is further enhanced by its flexible power-scaling feature; the power dissipation scales linearly with the sampling rate, allowing designers to optimize energy use in portable or battery-powered equipment.

**Design Integration and Ease of Use**

The device is offered in a compact 10-lead MSOP package (AD7690BRMZ-RL7), facilitating its use in space-constrained PCB designs. It features a simple **serial peripheral interface (SPI)**-compatible serial interface, which simplifies connections to modern microcontrollers, DSPs, and FPGAs. The ADC includes an internal conversion clock, a high-speed, high-impedance input buffer, and a versatile reference voltage architecture, which can accept an external reference ranging from 2.5 V to 5 V. These integrated features significantly reduce the bill of materials (BOM) and design complexity, enabling a faster time to market for end products.

**Application Spectrum**

The combination of high resolution, speed, and low power opens doors to diverse applications:

* **Industrial Automation:** Used in PLCs, data loggers, and precision control systems for accurate sensor measurement.

* **Medical Instrumentation:** Ideal for patient monitoring equipment, portable diagnostics, and imaging systems where signal integrity is critical.

* **Test and Measurement:** Provides the accuracy needed in spectrum analyzers, calibrators, and automated test equipment (ATE).

* **Communications Infrastructure:** Employed in base station power amplifier linearization and control loops.

**ICGOOODFIND**

The AD7690BRMZ-RL7 is a **highly integrated and performance-optimized ADC** that delivers 16-bit precision without compromise. Its blend of **PulSAR speed, exceptional linearity, and low-power operation** makes it a superior component for engineers designing the next generation of precision data acquisition systems.

**Keywords:**

1. **PulSAR ADC**

2. **16-Bit Resolution**

3. **250 kSPS**

4. **Low Power Consumption**

5. **Precision Data Acquisition**