Analog Devices Inc. DC919A-F

Overview

DC919A-F from Analog Devices (formerly Linear Technology) is a fully populated, RoHS-compliant evaluation board for the LTC2203 16-bit, 25Msps analog-to-digital converter. It enables high-fidelity digitization of wideband signals up to 380MHz full-power bandwidth, delivers 81.6dB SNR and 100dB SFDR at 2.5V input range, and supports PGA front-end configuration for 1.667VP-P or 2.5VP-P input ranges - ideal for spectrum analysis and cellular base station receiver testing.

For engineers reviewing the DC919A-F datasheet, DC919A-F pinout, DC919A-F application, or DC919A-F equivalent, this board provides validated signal integrity, clock jitter management via optional duty cycle stabilizer, configurable analog input termination, and CMOS output swing adjustment (0.5V–3.6V), enabling rapid prototyping of high-speed data acquisition systems without custom layout risk.

Technical Context

The DC919A-F implements the LTC2203 in its native 48-lead 7mm × 7mm QFN package with exposed thermal pad, using matched 50Ω differential analog input traces, low-noise 3.3V analog supply regulation, and independent 0.5V–3.6V digital output supply control. It integrates the LTC2203's internal 2.5V bandgap reference (via SENSE tied to VDD) and 1.25V common-mode bias (VCM) with ≥2.2μF ceramic bypassing.

Board-level features include SMA-connected differential analog inputs, LVDS/CMOS-selectable clock input, jumper-configurable shutdown (SHDN), dither (DITH), randomizer (RAND), and output enable (OE) controls, plus on-board CLKOUT± differential clock outputs synchronized to sampling for system timing validation.

Key Specifications

Availability

DC919A-F is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for spectrum analyzers, communications test equipment, and high-speed data acquisition systems requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for DC919A-F 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. (ADI) is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies, acquired Linear Technology in 2017 to expand its precision data conversion portfolio.

The DC919A-F belongs to ADI's LTC evaluation board family, designed specifically to accelerate development of high-speed, high-dynamic-range signal chain applications including wireless infrastructure, instrumentation, and defense electronics.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the DC919A-F evaluation board?

The DC919A-F evaluation board is a ready-to-use hardware platform for evaluating the LTC2203 16-bit, 25Msps analog-to-digital converter. It provides all necessary power conditioning, clock distribution, analog input interface, and digital output routing to validate performance metrics such as SNR, SFDR, and aperture jitter under real-world conditions - eliminating the need for custom PCB design during early system prototyping. The DC919A-F directly supports the full specification set of the LTC2203, including PGA configuration and internal dither.

Does the DC919A-F support both LTC2203 and LTC2202 devices?

No - the DC919A-F is specifically configured and optimized for the LTC2203 (25Msps variant). While the LTC2202 shares the same 48-pin QFN package and pinout, the DC919A-F's layout, clock circuitry, and power delivery are tuned for 25Msps operation and full-bandwidth analog signal integrity up to 380MHz. Using an LTC2202 on the DC919A-F is physically possible but not validated or supported; performance may deviate from datasheet specifications due to mismatched timing margins and layout parasitics. The DC919A-F part number refers exclusively to the LTC2203 evaluation platform.

How is analog input termination handled on the DC919A-F?

The DC919A-F provides 50Ω differential analog input termination via precision surface-mount resistors at the SMA connector pads, supporting both AC-coupled and DC-coupled configurations. Input common-mode voltage is set by the LTC2203's internal 1.25V VCM output (Pin 2), which is bypassed with ≥2.2μF ceramic capacitance per the datasheet. The board accepts differential sine-wave or modulated RF inputs up to 380MHz, with input range selectable between 1.667VP-P and 2.5VP-P via the MODE jumper - matching the exact PGA configurations documented for the LTC2203 in the official datasheet.

Can the DC919A-F generate a clean sampling clock internally?

No - the DC919A-F does not include an onboard clock generator. It requires an external low-jitter differential or single-ended clock source applied to the SMA CLK input. However, it fully supports the LTC2203's optional internal clock duty cycle stabilizer (enabled via CLKIN pin configuration), allowing robust operation across wide duty-cycle variations (5%–95%). The board also routes CLKOUT± - a buffered, phase-aligned copy of the sampling clock - to SMA outputs for system-level timing verification and synchronization with downstream logic or FPGA interfaces.

What digital output voltage levels does the DC919A-F support?

The DC919A-F supports configurable CMOS output swing from 0.5V to 3.6V via its dedicated OVDD supply rail, independently adjustable from the 3.3V analog VDD rail. This allows direct interfacing with diverse logic families (e.g., 1.8V, 2.5V, or 3.3V FPGAs) without level-shifting components. Output drive strength and timing meet LTC2203 specifications across the full OVDD range, with VOH/VOL values verified per the datasheet's digital output characteristics table - ensuring reliable data capture at 25Msps with minimal setup/hold margin violation.