Analog Devices Inc. DC1884A-A

Overview

DC1884A-A from Analog Devices is an evaluation board for the LTM9011-14 - a 14-bit, 125Msps octal simultaneous-sampling ADC with serial LVDS outputs, 73.1dB SNR, 88dB SFDR, and integrated bypass capacitance in a 140-pin BGA package. It enables high-fidelity digitization of wideband RF signals in multichannel systems such as cellular base stations and portable medical imaging.

For engineers reviewing the DC1884A-A datasheet, DC1884A-A pinout, DC1884A-A application, or DC1884A-A equivalent, this board provides validated signal integrity, clock distribution, and layout-optimized LVDS routing for the LTM9011-14 - critical for evaluating dynamic performance at 125Msps across all eight channels under real-world PCB constraints.

Technical Context

The DC1884A-A implements a complete signal chain around the LTM9011-14, including ultra-low-jitter clock conditioning (via LTC6957), transformer-coupled differential analog input paths with selectable 1VP-P/2VP-P ranges, and impedance-matched 100Ω differential LVDS trace routing to FPGA interfaces. It supports both 1-lane and 2-lane serialization modes and integrates on-board power regulation for VDD (1.8V) and OVDD (1.8V) with low-noise LDOs.

Designed for RF sampling applications up to 800MHz full-power bandwidth, the board features calibrated input termination, ground-plane isolation between analog/digital sections, and accessible test points for ENC+, ENC–, AINx±, DCO±, FR±, and all eight LVDS output pairs (OUT1A/B through OUT8A/B).

Key Specifications

Availability

DC1884A-A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for cellular infrastructure, software-defined radio development, portable ultrasound systems, and multichannel data acquisition requiring stable component supply and validated high-speed ADC evaluation platforms.

Supply support for DC1884A-A 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, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies, serving communications, industrial, automotive, and healthcare markets.

The DC1884A-A belongs to Analog Devices' Linear Technology evaluation board family, designed specifically to accelerate time-to-prototype for high-speed data converters - emphasizing signal integrity, layout best practices, and out-of-box measurement repeatability.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the DC1884A-A evaluation board?

The DC1884A-A evaluation board is a fully assembled and tested platform for the LTM9011-14 octal ADC. It provides all necessary clocking, power regulation, analog input conditioning, and LVDS output interfacing to enable immediate characterization of AC/DC performance - including SNR, SFDR, INL, and DNL - without custom PCB design. The DC1884A-A supports both 1-lane and 2-lane serialization modes and includes documentation for FPGA interface timing alignment.

Does the DC1884A-A support all three speed grades of the LTM9011/LTM9010/LTM9009 family?

No - the DC1884A-A is specifically configured and optimized for the LTM9011-14 (125Msps). While the LTM9010-14 (105Msps) and LTM9009-14 (80Msps) share the same pinout and package, the DC1884A-A's clock tree, power delivery, and layout are tuned for 125Msps operation. For lower-speed variants, Analog Devices recommends DC1884A-B (LTM9010-14) or DC1884A-C (LTM9009-14), which differ in clock IC selection and layout tuning.

Can the DC1884A-A be used with external clock sources?

Yes - the DC1884A-A accepts differential (LVDS, LVPECL) or single-ended (CMOS, TTL) clock inputs via the ENC+/ENC– SMA connectors. An onboard LTC6957 clock buffer allows clean distribution and duty-cycle stabilization. External clocks must meet the LTM9011-14's absolute maximum ratings: ±0.3V to 3.6V input range, ≤100ps RMS jitter, and compatible common-mode voltage (1.1V–1.6V for differential mode). The DC1884A-A includes jumpers to bypass the internal oscillator and route external clocks directly.

How does the DC1884A-A handle analog input common-mode biasing?

The DC1884A-A implements the LTM9011-14's internal VCM generation scheme using four dedicated VCM outputs (VCM14, VCM23, VCM58, VCM67), each internally bypassed with 0.1µF ceramic capacitors. These are routed to respective channel pairs (1&4, 2&3, 5&8, 6&7) via low-inductance traces. The board supports both internal reference (1.25V) and external reference (0.625V–1.3V) modes via the SENSE pin, and includes test points for verifying VCM stability (<±25ppm/°C drift) and common-mode rejection (>80dB).

Is the DC1884A-A compatible with Xilinx or Intel FPGAs?

Yes - the DC1884A-A's LVDS outputs (OUT1A/B through OUT8A/B, DCO±, FR±) are routed to a 100-pin Samtec QSH connector with 100Ω differential impedance and matched trace lengths (±100ps skew). It includes reference designs and IBIS models for Xilinx Kintex/Virtex UltraScale+ and Intel Stratix 10 GX devices. The DC1884A-A supports both DDR and SDR LVDS capture, with documented timing margins for 14-bit serialization at 125Msps (tSER = 1ns minimum).