Texas Instruments ADS7851EVM-PDK

Overview

ADS7851EVM-PDK from Texas Instruments is a performance demonstration kit (PDK) for the ADS7851 dual-channel, 14-bit, simultaneous-sampling SAR ADC. It integrates the ADS7851EVM board and SDCC controller board with AM3352 Sitara microcontroller and FPGA, enabling USB-based evaluation of fully-differential analog inputs up to ±5 V full-scale range. Designed for high-fidelity data acquisition validation in test benches and lab environments.

For engineers reviewing the ADS7851EVM-PDK datasheet, ADS7851EVM-PDK pinout, ADS7851EVM-PDK application, or ADS7851EVM-PDK equivalent, this kit delivers turnkey SPI-controlled ADC evaluation with built-in FFT, histogram, and scope analysis tools - eliminating custom firmware development and signal capture infrastructure.

Technical Context

The ADS7851EVM-PDK implements a complete hardware-software evaluation stack: the ADS7851EVM board hosts the target ADC, THS4521 differential drivers, internal 2.5-V references (REFOUT_A/REFOUT_B), and 5-V analog/3.3-V digital supplies; the SDCC controller board provides USB 2.0 interface, FPGA-based SPI timing control, and 256 MB DDR SRAM for real-time data buffering.

Digital communication uses a 3.3-V SPI interface (CS, SCLK, SDI, SDO_A, SDO_B) routed via J6 connector, with 47-Ω series resistors for signal integrity. An auxiliary I²C bus programs onboard EEPROM but is unrelated to ADC operation. Analog input routing supports SMA connectors (J1–J4) and header pins (JP1–JP4) for both differential and single-ended configurations.

Key Specifications

Availability

ADS7851EVM-PDK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for high-precision ADC validation, mixed-signal test bench development, and sensor signal chain characterization requiring stable component supply and full technical documentation support.

Supply support for ADS7851EVM-PDK 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company specializing in analog, embedded processing, and power management technologies, with over 90 years of innovation in precision data conversion and system-level solutions.

The ADS7851EVM-PDK belongs to TI's Precision Data Converter Evaluation Platform family, designed specifically to accelerate validation of high-resolution SAR ADCs in demanding applications such as instrumentation, medical imaging, and automated test equipment.

FAQ

What is the ADS7851EVM-PDK used for?

The ADS7851EVM-PDK is a complete evaluation platform for the ADS7851 dual-channel 14-bit SAR ADC. It enables engineers to validate dynamic performance (SNR, SINAD, THD, SFDR), configure analog input paths (differential/single-ended), adjust SPI sampling rates up to 1.5 MSPS, and export captured data directly to text files - all through an intuitive Windows GUI without writing custom firmware. The ADS7851EVM-PDK includes both hardware and software required for immediate lab use.

Does the ADS7851EVM-PDK require external power supplies?

No - the ADS7851EVM-PDK operates from the included USB connection to the host PC, which powers the SDCC controller board. That board then supplies regulated 5-V analog (AVDD) and 3.3-V digital (DVDD) voltages to the ADS7851EVM board. An external 5-V AVDD source can be connected via J5 only if needed for specialized testing, but it is not required for standard operation of the ADS7851EVM-PDK.

Which operating systems support the ADS7851EVM-PDK software?

The official ADS7851EVM-PDK software supports Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8 - as documented in the SBAU217A User's Guide. It requires administrator privileges for installation and depends on the microSD card (included in the kit) containing preloaded firmware and GUI binaries. No Linux or macOS support is provided, and the ADS7851EVM-PDK software is not compatible with newer Windows versions beyond Windows 8 without compatibility mode testing.

How are analog inputs connected to the ADS7851EVM-PDK?

Analog inputs to the ADS7851EVM-PDK can be applied either via SMA connectors (J1–J4) or header pins (JP1–JP4): J1/J2 and JP1.2/JP2.2 serve Channel A; J3/J4 and JP3.2/JP4.2 serve Channel B. All inputs are buffered by THS4521 fully-differential amplifiers, supporting true differential signals (±2.15 V) or single-ended signals (with one side grounded). The ADS7851EVM-PDK does not accept direct ADC input - signal conditioning is mandatory and integrated.

Can the ADS7851EVM-PDK perform FFT and histogram analysis?

Yes - the ADS7851EVM-PDK GUI includes dedicated Performance Analysis pages that compute and display FFTs for both channels, calculating SNR, SINAD, THD, and SFDR in real time. It also provides histogram analysis to assess integral nonlinearity (INL) and differential nonlinearity (DNL) behavior. These analyses operate on captured data blocks (1024–1,048,576 samples), with user-selectable windowing and sample count - all native features of the ADS7851EVM-PDK software suite.