Analog Devices Inc. EVAL-AD5678DBZ

Overview

EVAL-AD5678DBZ from Analog Devices is an evaluation board designed for the AD5678 octal-channel, voltage-output digital-to-analog converter (DAC), supporting both 4 × 12-bit and 4 × 16-bit configurations. It interfaces via SPI to the SDP-B (EVAL-SDP-CB1Z) controller board, operates from a single 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply, and includes on-board reference options (2.5 V, 4.096 V, 5 V) and precision output amplification using AD8608/AD8616/AD8655 op amps for full-scale accuracy validation.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL-AD5678DBZ datasheet, EVAL-AD5678DBZ pinout, EVAL-AD5678DBZ application, or EVAL-AD5678DBZ equivalent, this board enables rapid prototyping of high-resolution analog output systems in industrial control, automated test equipment, and precision instrumentation-requiring DAC register programming, LDAC-controlled updating, power-down configuration, reference selection, and multi-channel voltage calibration.

Technical Context

The EVAL-AD5678DBZ consists of a daughter board (featuring the AD5678BRUZ-1 DAC in 24-lead TSSOP) mounted on the EVAL-MBnanoDAC-SDZ motherboard, which provides configurable power (VDD, VLOGIC, VSS), reference routing (REF1–REF4), and digital interface (SPI, I²C, GPIO). All analog and digital grounds (AGND/DGND) are isolated except at a single point on the motherboard to prevent ground loops.

Link options (LK5, LK6, LK7, REF1–REF4) allow hardware-level configuration of reference source (on-board or external), DAC analog supply (VDD or external), digital logic voltage (3.3 V or external VLOGIC), and negative rail (VSS or AGND), enabling precise replication of target system conditions during characterization.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL-AD5678DBZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, precision test instrumentation, and embedded analog output subsystem development requiring stable component supply, traceable evaluation hardware, and validated DAC performance verification workflows.

Supply support for EVAL-AD5678DBZ 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 semiconductor company headquartered in Norwood, MA, specializing in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies for precision measurement and control applications.

The EVAL-AD5678DBZ belongs to Analog Devices' nanoDAC® evaluation platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate design-in and performance validation of multichannel, high-resolution DACs in closed-loop control, sensor simulation, and programmable power supply applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EVAL-AD5678DBZ evaluation board?

The EVAL-AD5678DBZ evaluation board is a dedicated hardware platform for evaluating the AD5678 octal-channel voltage-output DAC. It enables engineers to configure, program, and validate DAC register values, output voltage accuracy, reference dependency, power-down behavior, and LDAC-controlled updating-all without custom PCB design. The board must be used with the EVAL-MBnanoDAC-SDZ motherboard and EVAL-SDP-CB1Z (SDP-B) controller to operate the EVAL-AD5678DBZ software and access full functionality.

Does the EVAL-AD5678DBZ include the AD5678 DAC IC, and what is its package?

Yes, the EVAL-AD5678DBZ daughter board integrates the AD5678BRUZ-1 DAC IC in a 24-lead TSSOP package (RUZ suffix), as confirmed in Table 5 of UG-987. This matches the AD5678's standard commercial-grade packaging and pinout, including dedicated pins for SDIN, SDO, SCLK, SYNC, LDAC, CLR, PD, GAIN, VREFIN/OUT, VDD, VSS, and eight analog outputs (VOUT_A through VOUT_H).

Which software and host system requirements apply to the EVAL-AD5678DBZ?

The EVAL-AD5678DBZ requires the proprietary EVAL-AD5678DBZ evaluation software, compatible only with Windows Vista (32-/64-bit) and Windows 7 (32-/64-bit). The software must be installed before connecting the SDP-B board to ensure driver recognition. It supports real-hardware operation (via USB–SDP-B–motherboard–daughter board chain) and simulation mode for offline waveform preview. No Linux or macOS support is provided.

Can the EVAL-AD5678DBZ operate with external reference voltages, and how is that configured?

Yes, the EVAL-AD5678DBZ supports external references via four SMB connectors (EXT_REF_1 to EXT_REF_4) routed to the AD5678's VREFIN/OUT pin. Configuration is done using REF1–REF4 jumpers on the EVAL-MBnanoDAC-SDZ motherboard: setting each to "EXT" selects the corresponding external reference. The software's Reference Input window also requires manual entry of the actual external reference voltage value to scale output calculations correctly.

Is the EVAL-AD5678DBZ compatible with other Analog Devices SDP platforms besides SDP-B?

No - the EVAL-AD5678DBZ is explicitly designed for use with the EVAL-SDP-CB1Z (SDP-B) board, as stated in the "Hardware Needed" section of UG-987. The motherboard's SDP connector (J10) implements the SDP-B pinout and protocol; it is not compatible with SDP-K1 or legacy SDP boards. Attempting connection with non-SDP-B controllers will result in communication failure or undefined behavior.