Analog Devices Inc. AD9481BSUZ-250

Overview

AD9481BSUZ-250 from Analog Devices is an 8-bit, 250 MSPS monolithic analog-to-digital converter optimized for high-speed instrumentation and communications systems. It operates from a single 3.3 V supply, delivers ±0.35 LSB DNL and ±0.26 LSB INL, features internal 1.0 V reference and differential track-and-hold, and targets digital oscilloscopes and point-to-point radios.

For engineers reviewing the AD9481BSUZ-250 datasheet, AD9481BSUZ-250 pinout, AD9481BSUZ-250 application, or AD9481BSUZ-250 equivalent, key selection criteria include SNR (45.7 dB at 70.1 MHz), aperture jitter (0.25 ps rms), de-multiplexed CMOS outputs, power-down mode (15 mW), and TQFP-44 industrial-grade packaging.

Technical Context

The AD9481BSUZ-250 implements a 1.5-bit-per-stage pipeline architecture with integrated track-and-hold and on-chip 1.0 V reference. It accepts differential analog inputs (1 V p-p full scale) and differential LVPECL/TTL/CMOS-compatible clock inputs (CLK+/CLK−), with duty cycle stabilizer enabled by default.

Digital outputs are de-multiplexed across two 8-bit CMOS ports (A and B), each synchronized to complementary data clock outputs (DCO+/DCO−). Pipeline latency is fixed at 8 cycles, and output coding supports both twos complement and binary formats via S1 control.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The AD9481BSUZ-250 is housed in a Pb-free, 44-lead TQFP surface-mount package (10 mm × 10 mm, 0.8 mm pitch), rated for −40°C to +85°C operation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AD9481BSUZ-250, AD9480BCPZ-250 offers superior noise immunity at identical speed, while ADS5271IPFP trades speed for resolution and lower power-neither is pin-compatible, and all require distinct PCB layout and driver design.

Availability

AD9481BSUZ-250 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for digital oscilloscopes, instrumentation systems, and point-to-point radio designs requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.

Supply support for AD9481BSUZ-250 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 Norwood, MA.

The AD9481BSUZ-250 belongs to Analog Devices' high-speed pipeline ADC product line, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, space-constrained instrumentation and communications applications demanding 250 MSPS throughput with integrated reference and low-power operation.

FAQ

What is the maximum analog input frequency supported by the AD9481BSUZ-250?

The AD9481BSUZ-250 maintains usable AC performance up to 170 MHz analog input frequency, delivering 45.6 dB SNR and 59.6 dBc SFDR at −1 dBFS. Its analog bandwidth is specified at 750 MHz, but dynamic specifications degrade above ~125 MHz due to aperture jitter and core nonlinearity effects. For full 250 MSPS utilization, input signals should remain below the Nyquist frequency (125 MHz) to avoid aliasing and preserve ENOB.

Does the AD9481BSUZ-250 require external clock conditioning?

No, the AD9481BSUZ-250 includes an integrated clock duty cycle stabilizer that actively corrects input clock asymmetry, allowing reliable operation with duty cycles from 40% to 60%. This eliminates the need for external clock buffers or duty cycle correction ICs in most applications, reducing bill-of-materials and layout complexity while maintaining timing margins at 250 MSPS.

How does the de-multiplexed output architecture of the AD9481BSUZ-250 benefit FPGA interfacing?

The AD9481BSUZ-250 splits its 250 MSPS data stream across two 8-bit CMOS ports (A and B), each running at 125 MHz with synchronized DCO+/DCO− clocks. This halves the required I/O speed on the FPGA side, enabling use of standard-speed I/O banks instead of high-speed transceivers-reducing FPGA resource usage, power, and PCB routing complexity while maintaining full throughput.

Can the AD9481BSUZ-250 operate with a single-ended analog input?

Yes, the AD9481BSUZ-250 accepts single-ended analog inputs, but SNR and SINAD degrade by ~1–2 dB compared to differential drive due to reduced common-mode noise rejection. The analog input stage self-biases to ~1.9 V, so single-ended signals must be DC-coupled with appropriate level shifting. For optimal performance-especially SFDR >64 dBc-differential drive using transformers or drivers like AD8138 is strongly recommended.

What is the power-down current consumption of the AD9481BSUZ-250?

In power-down mode (PDWN = high), the AD9481BSUZ-250 draws only 15–37 mW total, corresponding to <5 mA combined AVDD and DRVDD current. This state disables the analog core, reference, and digital outputs while retaining register settings. Recovery time is one clock cycle, enabling rapid wake-up for burst-mode acquisition in battery-powered or thermally constrained systems.