Analog Devices Inc. EVAL-AD7738EBZ

Overview

EVAL-AD7738EBZ from Analog Devices is an evaluation board for the AD7738 8-channel, 24-bit sigma-delta ADC-designed to accelerate development of high-precision industrial data acquisition systems. It supports configurable input ranges (±2.5 V, ±1.25 V, ±625 mV), per-channel system calibration, and 3-wire SPI-compatible serial interface, enabling rapid prototyping in PLCs, process controllers, and multiplexed sensor interfaces.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL-AD7738EBZ datasheet, EVAL-AD7738EBZ setup guide, EVAL-AD7738EBZ hardware configuration, or EVAL-AD7738EBZ compatibility with AD7738-based signal chains, this board provides full access to all AD7738 pins-including MUXOUT, ADCIN, REFIN(±), SYNC/P1, and I/O port-alongside on-board reference, clock, power regulation, and jumper-selectable analog input topologies for single-ended and differential operation.

Technical Context

The EVAL-AD7738EBZ implements the complete AD7738 functional block diagram: it routes all 8 analog inputs (AIN0–AIN7), AINCOM/P0, SYNC/P1, MUXOUT(±), ADCIN(±), REFIN(±), and digital interface signals (SCLK, DIN, DOUT, CS, RDY, RESET) to accessible test points and headers. On-board components include a precision 2.5 V reference (ADR431), crystal oscillator (6.144 MHz), and dual-supply regulation (5 V AVDD, 3.3 V DVDD).

It supports both chopping-enabled (low-noise, up to 18-bit p-p at 500 Hz) and chopping-disabled (high-throughput, 16-bit p-p at 8.5 kHz) AD7738 operating modes, with full register-level control via USB-SPI adapter (not included) or external microcontroller. All channel setup, conversion time, calibration, and mode registers are accessible through the board's standard 10-pin SPI header and JTAG-compatible debug interface.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL-AD7738EBZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial instrumentation, PLC/DCS development, and high-accuracy sensor signal conditioning requiring stable component supply and full-spectrum evaluation capability.

Supply support for EVAL-AD7738EBZ 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 semiconductors, headquartered in Wilmington, MA.

The EVAL-AD7738EBZ belongs to Analog Devices' precision data acquisition evaluation platform family-engineered to de-risk design-in of high-resolution ADCs in demanding industrial and process control applications.

FAQ

What is the primary purpose of the EVAL-AD7738EBZ?

The EVAL-AD7738EBZ is a dedicated evaluation board for the AD7738 8-channel, 24-bit sigma-delta ADC. It enables hardware validation, firmware development, and performance characterization-including noise, linearity, channel switching, and calibration-without custom PCB design. The board exposes all critical AD7738 signals and supports both single-ended and differential input configurations, making EVAL-AD7738EBZ ideal for evaluating high-precision analog front ends in industrial measurement systems.

Does the EVAL-AD7738EBZ include a power supply?

Yes-the EVAL-AD7738EBZ accepts a single 5 V DC input and internally generates clean, regulated 5 V AVDD and 3.3 V DVDD supplies using low-noise LDO regulators. This eliminates the need for external dual-rail power sources and ensures proper analog/digital supply separation required by the AD7738, as specified in its absolute maximum ratings and recommended operating conditions.

Can the EVAL-AD7738EBZ be used with the AD7734 or AD7732?

No-the EVAL-AD7738EBZ is specifically designed for the AD7738 and is not mechanically or electrically compatible with the AD7734 or AD7732. While those parts share the same product family and similar register maps, they differ in pin count (AD7734/AD7732 use 24-lead TSSOP), channel count, input structure, and pin assignments (e.g., no MUXOUT pins on AD7734). Using EVAL-AD7738EBZ with AD7734 or AD7732 would require significant hardware modification and is not supported.

How is the reference voltage implemented on the EVAL-AD7738EBZ?

The EVAL-AD7738EBZ uses the ADR431 ultra-low-noise, high-precision 2.5 V voltage reference, connected directly to the AD7738's REFIN(+) and REFIN(–) pins. It provides ±0.04% initial accuracy and 3 ppm/°C temperature drift-meeting the AD7738's specification for 2.475 V to 2.525 V reference voltage-and includes decoupling capacitors and guard traces to minimize noise coupling into the reference path, ensuring optimal INL and effective resolution performance for EVAL-AD7738EBZ users.

Is software provided with the EVAL-AD7738EBZ?

Analog Devices provides the AD7738 evaluation software (compatible with Windows) and open-source driver libraries (C/C++, Python) for the EVAL-AD7738EBZ, including register configuration utilities, real-time data capture, histogram analysis, and calibration workflow tools. These resources are hosted on the official Analog Devices product page for AD7738 and require connection via USB-to-SPI adapter (e.g., SDP-B or similar); no proprietary hardware dongle is bundled with EVAL-AD7738EBZ itself.