ZMDI Expands SARah Family with Fast Power-Saving Dual-Core ADCs

ELECTRONICS: ZMDI introduced 12 new members of its SARah converter family. The new A/D-converters ZADC510x and ZADC512x have a dual-core and operate with sampling rates of up to 1MSample/s. The dual-core enables developers to make use of applications requiring the parallel sampling of 2 signals. The ZMDI converter family, which operates on the principle of successive approximation (SAR) and has proven reliable in numerous applications, is ideally suited for use in high-speed applications, such as motion control, 3-phase motor control units, inverters or multi-axis positioning systems.

The A/D-converters ZADC510x and ZADC512x are available in 2-, 6-, and 10-channel versions. With the dual-core ADCs developers can choose between models with 10- or 12-bits, as well as internal or external voltage references. Additionally, the new ADCs offer variable alarm thresholds, 2-10 channels and operate within a temperature range of -25 to +85C.

As with all members of the SARah family, the new module series ZADC510x and ZADC512x are based on a scalable concept making them upwards and downwards compatible. The standard pin-out of the converters and the software compatibility enable developers to quickly and simply design diverse variants of their systems, saving costs as well as time.

The ZADC510x and ZADC512x offer high accuracy at very low power consumption. With sampling rates of up to 1MSample/s, the SARah family has a differential non-linearity (DNL) of ±1 LSB and an integral non-linearity (INL) of ±1 LSB over the temperature range of -25 to +85C. All SARah models have a serial interface that supports SPI^™, QSPI^™ and Microwire™ ^{protocols - industry standards for ADCs.}

The SARah family’s 10/12-bit dual-core ADCs for high-speed applications are sampling now and will be available in production volumes at the end of Q1/2010. They will be offered in an SSOP package and suitable for operation at temperatures of -25 to +85C. Approximate unit prices range from $2.80 to $7, depending on the model, based on unit quantities of 1,000.

-Edited by Kelsey Anderson