This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Analog to Digital Converters (ADC) category on DigiKey.com
Analog-to-digital converters (ADC, A/D, or A-to-D) sample an analog signal, such as a sound picked up by a microphone or the output of a sensor, into a digital signal. Typically, the digital output is a two’s complement binary number that is proportional to the input. Input types may be differential, pseudo-differential or single-ended. ADCs are selected by number of bits, sampling rate, number of inputs, interface, number of converters, and the architecture such as adaptive delta, dual slope, folding, pipelined, SAR, Sigma-Delta, or two-step.
SelectionCharacteristics
Number of Bits: Indicates data converter resolution; the width of the digital word used by a device to represent an analog quantity.
Sampling Rate (Per Second): The number of measurements per second the device is able to take.
Number of Inputs: Describes the number of analog signals that can be connected to a device for measurement. The ability of devices to accept signals in various formats (single-ended, differential, etc.) may result in multiple values being listed.
Input Type: Indicates the input structure type(s) able to be converted by the device. Typically this will be selected by matching the sensor output type, however this can change if there is circuitry in between, such as signal conditioning circuitry.
Data Interface: Indication of which interface(s) or protocol(s) are used by the device to communicate with other components in the system.
Configuration: Describes the internal devices and functions that is in the body of the item.
Ratio - S/H:ADC: The number of Sample & Hold amplifiers in the device divided by the number of Analog to Digital conversion cores therein. Describes device architecture and simultaneous sampling potential.
Number of A/D Converters: Indicates the number of analog-digital converter cores contained within a device. May differ from the number of analog inputs available on a device due to input multiplexing.
Architecture: Indicates the basic technique used by a device for converting between analog and digital domains, which has general implications for device performance and application suitability.
Reference Type: Indicates the source of the analog reference voltage used by a device for performing data conversion.
Voltage - Supply, Analog: Describes the permitted operating range of the supply voltage required for powering the analog portion of a mixed-signal device. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Voltage - Supply, Digital: Describes the permitted operating range of the supply voltage required for powering the digital portion of a mixed-signal device. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as simultaneous sampling or a temperature sensor.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Package / Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the supplier device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
Supplier Device Package: This is what the manufacturer calls the package of this device. They are manufacturer specific. It is typically best to use the actual dimensions from the datasheets rather than to go by this terminology when designing your circuit.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | NAU7802SGI |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | NAU7802SGI-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Nuvoton Technology Corporation |
| DESCRIPTION | 24 Bit Analog to Digital Converter 2 Input 1 Sigma-Delta 16-SOP |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | MCP3202T-BI/SN |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | MCP3202T-BI/SNTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Microchip Technology |
| DESCRIPTION | 12 Bit Analog to Digital Converter 1, 2 Input 1 SAR 8-SOIC |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | MAX11645EUA+T |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | MAX11645EUA+TTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated |
| DESCRIPTION | 12 Bit Analog to Digital Converter 1, 2 Input 1 SAR 8-uMAX/uSOP |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Articles
Analog Basics – Part 1: SAR Analog-to-Digital Converters
Product Training Modules
Analog to Digital Converter
Blogs
Basics of ADC/DAC