Analog Devices Inc. EVAL-AD7985EBZ

Overview

EVAL-AD7985EBZ from Analog Devices is a full-featured evaluation board designed specifically for the AD7985 - a 16-bit, 2.5 MSPS PulSAR® successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter. It integrates on-board ADR435 5.0 V reference, AD8032 reference buffers, AD8021 signal conditioning op-amps, and an Altera FPGA for serial-to-parallel deserialization. The board enables high-accuracy dynamic performance testing of the AD7985 in lab and development environments.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL-AD7985EBZ datasheet, EVAL-AD7985EBZ pinout, EVAL-AD7985EBZ application, or EVAL-AD7985EBZ equivalent, this page provides verified hardware configuration details, software integration guidance, ADC interface timing support, standalone vs. CED-coupled operation modes, and factory-configured reference/jumper settings for AD7985-specific evaluation.

Technical Context

The EVAL-AD7985EBZ interfaces with the EVAL-CED1Z capture board via a 96-pin DIN connector, supporting parallel 16-bit buffered data output (BD[15:0]) and synchronized control signals including CNV and BBUSY. Its on-board FPGA handles serial-to-parallel conversion of the AD7985's 3-wire SPI-compatible interface (SDI/SCK/SDO), enabling compatibility with the CED's parallel acquisition architecture.

Analog input paths are configurable for single-ended or fully differential operation using SMB connectors J1/J2 and dedicated amplifier stages (U2/U3). Factory default settings configure A2/A3 as unity-gain buffers with ±5 V/–5 V supplies and 5.0 V ADR435 reference routed through AD8032 buffers - optimized for AD7985's 0 V to 5 V input range and internal 4.096 V reference bypass.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL-AD7985EBZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for high-resolution data acquisition, precision instrumentation, automated test equipment, and industrial sensor interface applications requiring stable component supply and validated ADC evaluation infrastructure.

Supply support for EVAL-AD7985EBZ 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 Norwood, MA, with design and manufacturing expertise spanning precision data conversion, power management, and RF technologies.

The EVAL-AD7985EBZ belongs to Analog Devices' PulSAR® evaluation platform family, engineered to accelerate validation of high-speed, high-accuracy SAR ADCs in demanding measurement and control systems where SNR, THD, and code transition noise must be rigorously characterized.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EVAL-AD7985EBZ?

The EVAL-AD7985EBZ is a dedicated evaluation board for the AD7985 16-bit, 2.5 MSPS SAR ADC. It provides complete signal conditioning, precision reference, clocking, FPGA-based deserialization, and PC software integration to enable accurate dynamic and static performance characterization. The EVAL-AD7985EBZ does not operate as a standalone ADC but serves exclusively as a validated hardware platform for evaluating the AD7985 under real-world conditions.

Which ADC models does the EVAL-AD7985EBZ support?

The EVAL-AD7985EBZ is part of a shared evaluation platform supporting three devices: AD7944 (14-bit), AD7985 (16-bit), and AD7986 (18-bit). However, its factory configuration - including jumper settings (P2, P9–P12), solder pad defaults (JP3 for single/differential mode), and software device selection - is explicitly calibrated for AD7985 operation. While hardware is shared, the EVAL-AD7985EBZ is ordered and documented as the variant optimized for the AD7985's 2.5 MSPS throughput, 0 V to 5 V input range, and straight-binary output coding.

How does the EVAL-AD7985EBZ connect to a host PC?

The EVAL-AD7985EBZ connects to a host PC indirectly via the EVAL-CED1Z controller board, which links to the PC through a USB 2.0 port. The EVAL-AD7985EBZ itself interfaces with the EVAL-CED1Z using a 96-pin DIN connector carrying parallel data (BD[15:0]), CNV, BBUSY, and other control signals. Direct USB or PCIe connectivity is not supported - the EVAL-CED1Z is mandatory for data capture and software communication with the EVAL-AD7985EBZ.

What software is required to operate the EVAL-AD7985EBZ?

The EVAL-AD7985EBZ requires Analog Devices' Eval PulSAR CED software, compatible with Windows XP SP2, Vista, and 7. This application enables histogram analysis, FFT-based SNR/SINAD/THD/SFDR measurements, decimation, and time-domain oscilloscope views. Software installation must precede hardware connection, and drivers for the EVAL-CED1Z are installed automatically during setup. The EVAL-AD7985EBZ has no onboard firmware or independent GUI - all control and analysis occur within the Eval PulSAR CED environment.

Can the EVAL-AD7985EBZ operate without the EVAL-CED1Z board?

Yes, the EVAL-AD7985EBZ supports standalone operation when external power supplies (±5 V, +12 V, +7 V, or +2.5 V) are applied at P4 or designated test points. In this mode, the on-board FPGA remains functional for basic control, but raw serial ADC data cannot be captured or analyzed without the EVAL-CED1Z's parallel interface and USB bridge. Standalone use is limited to analog signal path validation, reference/buffer testing, and power sequencing verification - full ADC performance evaluation requires the EVAL-CED1Z.