Texas Instruments ADS8324E/250

Overview

ADS8324E/250 from Texas Instruments is a 14-bit, 50kHz sampling SAR analog-to-digital converter operating from a 1.8V supply, featuring differential bipolar input, SPI/SSI-compatible serial interface, and reference voltage range of 500mV to VCC/2. It delivers ±3 LSB integral linearity error and consumes only 2.5mW at 1.8V, making it suitable for portable data acquisition and isolated sensor interfaces.

For engineers reviewing the ADS8324E/250 datasheet, ADS8324E/250 pinout, ADS8324E/250 application, or ADS8324E/250 equivalent, key selection considerations include its micro-power operation at 1.8V, MSOP-8 package footprint, differential input architecture, 14-bit resolution with no missing codes, and compatibility with low-noise signal conditioning for battery-powered measurement systems.

Technical Context

The ADS8324E/250 implements a capacitive redistribution SAR architecture fabricated in 0.6μm CMOS, integrating sample-and-hold functionality. Its conversion cycle requires 16 clock cycles with 4.5-cycle acquisition time, supporting clock frequencies from 24kHz to 1.2MHz and enabling throughput up to 50kHz.

It uses binary two's complement output format, supports power-down mode via CS/SHDN pin (3μA max), and relies on an external reference whose voltage directly defines full-scale input span (±VREF) and LSB size (2·VREF/16384). Input common-mode range depends on VREF and is validated for differential or single-ended drive configurations.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ADS8324E/250 is housed in an MSOP-8 (VSSOP DGK) package - 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm, 0.65 mm pitch, thermally enhanced for compact PCB layouts in space-constrained applications.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-resolution, low-power SAR ADC applications.

Compared with ADS8324E/250, ADS8325IDGKR offers greater resolution at higher supply voltage and cost, while ADS7816U trades resolution and bipolar capability for raw speed and legacy compatibility-neither is pin-compatible nor functionally interchangeable without system-level validation.

Availability

ADS8324E/250 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery-operated data loggers, isolated industrial sensor interfaces, multi-channel synchronized acquisition systems, and portable vibration analysis equipment requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for ADS8324E/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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with decades of expertise in precision data converters and low-power design.

The ADS8324E/250 belongs to TI's precision SAR ADC product line, engineered specifically for ultra-low-power, high-resolution digitization in portable, isolated, and multi-channel measurement systems.

FAQ

What is the minimum reference voltage supported by the ADS8324E/250?

The ADS8324E/250 supports a reference voltage as low as 500 mV. At this level, the full-scale input range becomes ±500 mV, yielding an LSB size of ~61 μV. Operation below 500 mV is not guaranteed and may degrade linearity or cause specification violations per the SBAS172A datasheet.

Does the ADS8324E/250 require an external clock source?

Yes, the ADS8324E/250 requires an external DCLOCK signal. It accepts clock frequencies from 24 kHz to 1.2 MHz, with timing validated for 50 kHz throughput at 24× oversampling (1.2 MHz clock). The duty cycle is flexible as long as high/low times exceed 200 ns.

Can the ADS8324E/250 operate from a 3.3 V supply?

The ADS8324E/250 is specified for 1.8 V operation but supports a VCC range of 1.8 V to 3.6 V. At 3.3 V, quiescent current increases to ~1.7 mA (typical), raising power dissipation to ~5.6 mW - still micro-power relative to competing 14-bit ADCs, though efficiency peaks at 1.8 V.

What does "bipolar input range" mean for the ADS8324E/250?

"Bipolar input range" means the ADS8324E/250 accepts differential analog inputs centered at 0 V, spanning from –VREF to +VREF. For example, with VREF = 0.9 V, the input range is –0.9 V to +0.9 V, enabling true zero-crossing signal capture without level-shifting circuitry.

Is the ADS8324E/250 pin-compatible with the ADS7817?

Yes, the ADS8324E/250 is explicitly documented as pin-compatible with the 12-bit ADS7817. Both share identical MSOP-8 pin assignments, allowing direct replacement to upgrade resolution without modifying PCB layout or interconnect wiring.