February 5, 2001 - National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) today introduced a dual-channel 8-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with record low-power dissipation levels. The ADCV08832 A/D converter expends just one (1) milliwatt (typical) when operating at a 2MHz clock rate from a single +3.3V supply. It drops to 25 microwatts (typical) in the power-down "sleep" mode. A track and hold function speeds performance by allowing the analog voltage at the positive input to vary during the actual A/D conversion. 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.
"This new offering is elegant in its design - small, efficient and accurate," said Robert Eddy, product marketing director for National's Data Conversion Systems product group. "Its low power and configurable input is making it a widely accepted alternative to larger, more power hungry ADCs in many consumer applications."
The new device's 3-wire SPI, MICROWIRE? interface links the serial I/O with microprocessors, microcontrollers, 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 analog signal source, eliminating the transmission of low-level analog 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 data link with the controlling processor, allows the integration of many functions in a small package.
Other unique accuracy-enhancing advantages include a Total Unadjusted Error (TUE) of just +/- 0.8 LSB (Least Significant Bit) and no missing codes over the entire temperature range.
Price and Availability
The ADCV08832CIM is now available in SOIC-8 packages and is priced at $1.35 each in 1000-unit quantities.
For more information on the ADCV08832, visit our World Wide Web site at http://www.national.com/pf/AD/ADCV08832.html.
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; information appliances; information infrastructure; and display, imaging and human interface technologies. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 10,500 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.
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