Analog Devices Inc. AD876ARS

Overview

AD876ARS from Analog Devices is a CMOS 10-bit, 20 MSPS analog-to-digital converter with on-chip sample-and-hold, single +5 V analog/digital supply operation, 160 mW power dissipation, and guaranteed no missing codes - designed for high-speed imaging, CCD input systems, and portable video acquisition.

For engineers reviewing the AD876ARS datasheet, AD876ARS pinout, AD876ARS application, or AD876ARS equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, exact pin functions for the 28-lead SSOP package, real-world timing and dynamic performance values (e.g., 7.8 ENOB @ 1 MHz, 49 dB SINAD), and two validated alternative ADCs with documented functional trade-offs.

Technical Context

The AD876ARS implements a multistage pipelined architecture with output error correction logic to achieve 10-bit accuracy at 20 MSPS while guaranteeing no missing codes across –40°C to +85°C. Its on-chip sample-and-hold amplifier supports differential nonlinearity of ±0.5 LSB and full-power bandwidth of 150 MHz.

It features force-sense reference inputs (REFTF/REFTS/REFBF/REFBS) to minimize voltage drop errors, three-state digital outputs compatible with +5 V or +3.3 V logic, and a standby mode reducing power below 50 mW. Pipeline latency is fixed at 3.5 clock cycles with aperture jitter of 22 ps.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The AD876ARS is housed in a 28-lead SSOP (RS-28) package, 5.6 mm × 10.2 mm × 1.8 mm, with gull-wing leads and 0.65 mm pitch - optimized for compact PCB layouts in space-constrained imaging modules.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-speed ADC applications.

Compared with AD9203ARU and MAX1186EEE+, the AD876ARS uniquely combines force-sense reference support, +5 V/+3.3 V I/O flexibility, and standby mode - making it the only option among the three qualified for thermally stable, multi-rail CCD front-ends operating across –40°C to +85°C.

Availability

AD876ARS is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for high-speed imaging, portable video acquisition, and industrial CCD sensor interfaces requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges.

Supply support for AD876ARS includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Analog Devices is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing semiconductors, headquartered in Wilmington, MA.

The AD876ARS belongs to Analog Devices' high-speed data converter product line, engineered specifically for demanding imaging, video, and communications applications where resolution, speed, and power efficiency must coexist.

FAQ

What is the operating temperature range specified for the AD876ARS?

The AD876ARS is rated for operation from –40°C to +85°C, as confirmed in the Ordering Guide section of the official datasheet. This extended industrial temperature range distinguishes it from commercial-grade variants like AD876JR (0°C to +70°C) and makes it suitable for deployment in outdoor imaging equipment, automotive vision systems, and factory-floor inspection hardware where ambient thermal stress is significant. The AD876ARS maintains guaranteed no missing codes and full DC accuracy specifications across this entire range.

Does the AD876ARS support differential analog input configurations?

The AD876ARS does not include a fully differential input stage; its AIN pin is specified for single-ended operation with a 2 V_p-p input range referenced to AVSS. However, the device supports pseudo-differential acquisition via external circuitry - for example, using an op-amp difference amplifier like the AD830 to level-shift and invert ground-referenced signals before feeding them to AIN. The AD876ARS reference architecture (REFTF/REFTS/REFBF/REFBS) enables precise common-mode control, allowing such external differential front-ends to achieve >9-bit effective resolution without degrading DNL or INL.

What is the purpose of the CML pin on the AD876ARS?

The CML pin on the AD876ARS is a bypass terminal for an internal bias point - not a functional signal I/O. It must be connected to AVSS through a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor, as shown in standard application schematics. Leaving CML unconnected or connecting it to any other node may cause instability in internal bias generation, leading to increased offset error or degraded THD performance. This requirement applies identically across all AD876 package variants, including the AD876ARS in 28-lead SSOP.

Can the AD876ARS operate with a 3.3 V digital supply while maintaining full 20 MSPS performance?

Yes - the AD876ARS supports 3.3 V operation on the DRVDD pin for digital I/O buffering while sustaining full 20 MSPS conversion rate and all specified AC/DC performance. When DRVDD = 3.3 V, VIH is reduced to 2.4 V and VOL to 0.4 V (IOL = 0.6 mA), ensuring compatibility with 3.3 V CMOS logic families. AVDD and DVDD must remain at +5 V per datasheet requirements, and the 0.5 V tolerance between AVDD and DVDD must still be maintained to preserve INL and DNL accuracy.

How does the force-sense reference architecture improve measurement accuracy in the AD876ARS?

The AD876ARS force-sense reference architecture (REFTF/REFTS and REFBF/REFBS) separates current-carrying "force" paths from high-impedance "sense" nodes that feed internal comparators. This eliminates voltage drops across PCB traces and bond wires - typically up to 5 Ω - which would otherwise degrade DNL by >0.5 LSB. By routing sense lines directly to comparator inputs, the AD876ARS achieves ±0.5 LSB DNL over temperature without requiring external trimming or calibration, a critical advantage in production CCD modules where reference path parasitics vary across board lots.