The LTC2379-18, serial 18bit, 1.6Msample/s SAR ADC achieves an unrivaled 101dB SNR and -118dB THD, claims Linear Technology, while supporting a differential ±5V input range. It has a maximum INL of ±2LSB with no missing codes and guaranteed specifications over the -40 to 125ºC temperature range. Operating from a 2.5V supply, the ADC consumes only 18mW and is available in small 3x4mm DFN and MSOP-16 packages. The high SNR, fast throughput and low power dissipation make it suitable for medical, industrial and automotive applications. Complementing the ADC, the company also offers the pin- and software-compatible 16bit, 2Msample/s LTC2380-16. It achieves a 96dB SNR and ±0.5LSB maximum INL. The two devices are the first in a family of 18- and16bit ADCs ranging from 250ksample/s to 2Msample/s. A new digital gain compression feature eliminates the need for a negative supply on the ADC driver, dramatically lowering the total power consumption of the signal chain, according to the company. The devices' shutdown mode reduces power dissipation to 1.25µW when idle. The true no-latency operation enables accurate one-shot measurements even after lengthy idle periods; no minimum sample rate is required.
