Analog Devices Inc. DC2412A-A

Overview

DC2412A-A from Analog Devices (formerly Linear Technology) is an evaluation board for the LTC2335-18 and LTC2335-16 18-bit/16-bit, 8-channel, softspan, high-speed serial SAR ADCs. It supports LVDS or CMOS-level digital interfaces, operates up to 1 MSPS per channel, and features ±10.24 V input range with SoftSpan™ configurable full-scale ranges. It is used for precision data acquisition in test equipment, industrial process control, and medical imaging front-ends.

For engineers reviewing the DC2412A-A datasheet, DC2412A-A pinout, DC2412A-A application, or DC2412A-A equivalent, this page provides verified hardware configuration details, FPGA-based control architecture, supported interface modes (LVDS/CMOS), SoftSpan™ calibration capability, and direct integration path with DC590/DC2026 controllers and QuikEval™ software.

Technical Context

The DC2412A-A implements a complete signal chain around the LTC2335-18/16 family, including programmable gain instrumentation amplifiers (LT1355), precision voltage references (LTC6655BHMS8-5), low-noise LDOs (LT1763, LT3021, LT1964), and a Cyclone III FPGA (EP3C5E144) for timing control, SPI/LVDS protocol handling, and SoftSpan™ register configuration. All analog inputs are BNC-connected and support differential ±10.24 V full-scale operation.

It uses dual power domains: ±16 V/±18 V for analog front-end op-amps and reference buffers, and +1.2 V/+2.5 V/+3.3 V for digital logic and ADC core. The FPGA manages CNV, SCK, SDI, SDO, BUSY, and WRIN signals, enabling synchronized multi-channel sampling and flexible data readout via JTAG or USB-to-SPI (DC590).

Key Specifications

Availability

DC2412A-A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for precision data acquisition, automated test equipment, industrial process monitoring, and medical imaging system development requiring stable component supply and long-term evaluation platform availability.

Supply support for DC2412A-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 acquired Linear Technology in 2017 and maintains its high-performance analog and mixed-signal product portfolio, including precision data converters, references, and power management ICs.

The DC2412A-A belongs to Linear Technology's demonstration circuit series designed specifically to accelerate evaluation and prototyping of high-resolution SAR ADCs in demanding measurement applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the DC2412A-A evaluation board?

The DC2412A-A evaluation board is a fully assembled and tested hardware platform for evaluating the LTC2335-18 and LTC2335-16 8-channel, high-speed SAR ADCs. It provides signal conditioning, precision reference, FPGA-based digital control, and flexible interface options (LVDS/CMOS) to validate performance in real-world data acquisition systems. DC2412A-A enables rapid characterization of SNR, THD, INL, DNL, and SoftSpan™ configuration behavior without custom PCB design.

Which ADC models does the DC2412A-A support?

The DC2412A-A supports both the LTC2335-18 (18-bit resolution) and LTC2335-16 (16-bit resolution) variants of the SoftSpan™ SAR ADC family. These devices share identical pinouts, timing, and interface protocols, allowing the same DC2412A-A board to evaluate either part by swapping U1. DC2412A-A documentation and FPGA firmware are validated for both versions.

Does the DC2412A-A support LVDS and CMOS digital interfaces simultaneously?

No - the DC2412A-A supports either LVDS or CMOS-level digital signaling, selected via JP3 (LVDS/CMOS I/O). The FPGA (EP3C5E144) and level-shifting circuitry are configured for one mode at a time. LVDS mode uses differential SDO±/SCKO± pairs for noise immunity; CMOS mode uses single-ended SDO/SCKO with 1.8 V or 2.5 V logic levels. DC2412A-A does not enable concurrent LVDS+CMOS operation.

How is the SoftSpan™ feature implemented on the DC2412A-A?

The SoftSpan™ input range configuration is controlled via the onboard Cyclone III FPGA, which writes to the LTC2335's internal registers through the SDI interface. DC2412A-A supports all SoftSpan™ modes (e.g., ±10.24 V, 0–10.24 V, ±5.12 V) using QuikEval™ software or custom FPGA register access. Calibration coefficients and range selection are stored in EEPROM (U24, 24LC024-I/ST) for repeatable setup across sessions.

Can the DC2412A-A be used with the DC590B controller?

Yes - the DC2412A-A is fully compatible with the DC590B demonstration controller and QuikEval™ software. It connects via the standard 14-pin ribbon cable interface (J3), and the FPGA's SPI-compatible logic layer translates DC590B commands into native LTC2335 register writes and timing sequences. DC2412A-A has been validated with DC590B firmware v9.0+ and supports all standard evaluation functions including FFT analysis, histogram plots, and INL/DNL sweeps.