Analog Devices Inc. DC382A

Overview

DC382A from Analog Devices (formerly Linear Technology) is a demonstration board designed to evaluate the LTC2415, a differential-input, no-latency delta-sigma 24-bit analog-to-digital converter. It features 2-ppm linearity, 2.5 ppm gain error, 100 ppm offset, 0.23 ppm RMS noise, and 110 dB line-frequency rejection - enabling high-precision bridge sensor readout and metrology-grade measurements.

For engineers reviewing the DC382A datasheet, DC382A pinout, DC382A application, or DC382A equivalent, this page provides verified hardware configuration options, RS232 interface timing behavior, reference selection logic (2.5 V LT1460A-2.5 / 5 V LT1236-5), jumper-controlled excitation schemes, and real-time noise analysis capabilities via included Windows software.

Technical Context

The DC382A implements a complete signal chain around the LTC2415 ADC, including dual precision references (LT1460A-2.5 and LT1236-5), configurable 6-wire bridge interface with banana jacks, and RS232-based host communication powered directly from the serial port. It supports both 50 Hz and 60 Hz line-frequency rejection via JP4 configuration.

Hardware design emphasizes analog/digital ground partitioning and bypassing best practices. The board enables correlated double sampling and multiplexed acquisition through the LTC2415's single-conversion settling architecture, with gain calibration performed transparently in every output result without user initialization.

Key Specifications

Availability

DC382A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for precision sensor evaluation, strain gauge characterization, RTD measurement validation, and metrology-grade ADC qualification requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for DC382A 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. (including legacy Linear Technology products) designs high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing components for precision measurement, industrial automation, and instrumentation applications.

The DC382A belongs to Linear Technology's demonstration board product line, developed specifically to accelerate evaluation of ultra-precision ADCs like the LTC2415 in demanding sensor interface and calibration-critical systems.

FAQ

Does DC382A require an external power supply to operate?

No - DC382A derives operating power from the RS232 port's ±12 V lines and can function without external power in most configurations. However, external 9–12 V supply at J1 is required when driving low-impedance (e.g., 350 Ω) full-bridge sensors, especially with laptops or computers with weak RS232 drivers. The DC382A documentation confirms self-powered operation as standard, with external supply as an optional enhancement for specific excitation needs.

What reference voltages are available on DC382A for the LTC2415?

The DC382A provides two precision onboard references: a 2.5 V bandgap reference (LT1460A-2.5) and a 5 V buried zener reference (LT1236-5). Jumper JP3 selects between them for REF+, while JP5 controls REF– grounding. External references may be connected via J6 (REF+) and J7 (REF–), supporting ratiometric 6-wire bridge measurements - all confirmed in the DC382A Quick Start Guide schematic and jumper configuration table.

How does DC382A handle line frequency interference during ADC conversion?

The DC382A configures the LTC2415's internal oscillator via JP4 to reject either 50 Hz or 60 Hz line frequencies - defaulting to 60 Hz (pins 2–3). Pin 14 (Fo) accepts an external clock for custom rejection frequencies. This capability delivers 110 dB normal-mode line-frequency rejection and 140 dB common-mode rejection, as specified for the LTC2415 and implemented in the DC382A's oscillator routing and filtering design.

Can DC382A evaluate single-ended bipolar signals?

Yes - the 2.5 V output from the LT1460A-2.5 reference on DC382A serves as a bias source for single-ended bipolar inputs spanning ±2.5 V. Users can connect the instrumentation amplifier's reference terminal to this 2.5 V rail, enabling full-range capture of bipolar signals without level-shifting circuitry. This use case is explicitly documented in the DC382A Quick Start Guide under "bias source for sensing single ended bipolar signals."

What software tools ship with DC382A and what do they measure?

The DC382A ships with Demo2415.exe for Windows 95/98, providing real-time 7.5-digit display, noise histogram (bin width in ppm of Vref), RMS noise calculation, zero/full-scale calibration, and raw data logging to tab-delimited files. All metrics - including RMS NOISE (#11) and RAW ADC OUTPUT (#13) - use unscaled, unaveraged LTC2415 outputs, ensuring traceability to the native 24-bit conversion results generated by the DC382A's core ADC.