Analog Devices Inc. EVAL-AD9246S

Overview

EVAL-AD9246S from Analog Devices is a dedicated evaluation board for the AD9246S 14-bit, 80 MSPS analog-to-digital converter (ADC), supporting full characterization in multiple clocking and input drive configurations. It integrates an on-board LDO regulator, balun-coupled 50 Ω analog input path, transformer-based external clock interface, SPI control circuitry, and direct interconnection to the HSC-ADC-EVALCZ FPGA data capture platform.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL-AD9246S datasheet, EVAL-AD9246S pinout, EVAL-AD9246S application, or EVAL-AD9246S equivalent, key selection considerations include its support for external 6 V DC power, compatibility with VisualAnalog® and SPIController software, default jumper-configured 1.8 V AVDD / 2.5 V DRVDD / 2.5 V digital buffer / 3.3 V OTR supplies, and seamless integration with the HSC-ADC-EVALCZ data capture board via Tyco connectors.

Technical Context

The EVAL-AD9246S provides complete hardware infrastructure to evaluate the AD9246S ADC under real-world signal chain conditions, including low-phase-noise clock injection via SMA J400, double-balun analog input up to ~300 MHz, and regulated power delivery through configurable jumpers (P203–P206, P500). It requires no PCB redesign to interface with the HSC-ADC-EVALCZ FPGA capture board.

It supports both default single-supply operation (6 V, 2 A) and optional independent biasing of AVDD (1.8 V), DRVDD (2.5 V), V-DIG (2.5 V), and 3P3V (3.3 V) sections via P201/P202 test points. The board enables AC performance validation using VisualAnalog canvases and AD9265_CMOS.bin FPGA firmware - specifically built for this evaluation flow.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL-AD9246S is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for high-speed data acquisition systems, radar front-end prototyping, and communications receiver development requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and long-term evaluation platform continuity.

Supply support for EVAL-AD9246S 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, serving precision instrumentation, industrial automation, aerospace, and communications markets.

The EVAL-AD9246S belongs to Analog Devices' high-speed ADC evaluation platform family, designed to accelerate time-to-test for pipeline ADCs by providing reference layouts, calibrated signal paths, and integrated software toolchains aligned with production-grade AD9246S specifications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EVAL-AD9246S?

The EVAL-AD9246S is a dedicated evaluation board for the AD9246S 14-bit, 80 MSPS analog-to-digital converter. It provides all necessary support circuitry-including regulated power, balun-coupled analog input, transformer-based clock interface, SPI control, and CMOS digital output routing-to enable full AC and DC performance characterization without custom hardware design. EVAL-AD9246S is not a standalone product but a validated test platform for the AD9246S device.

Which data capture board is required to use the EVAL-AD9246S?

The EVAL-AD9246S must be used with the HSC-ADC-EVALCZ FPGA-based data capture board. They connect via Tyco board-to-board connectors, and the digital outputs from the AD9246S are routed through buffer U500 to P600 for direct interface. The HSC-ADC-EVALCZ provides USB 2.0 host connectivity, FIFO buffering, and FPGA logic configured via AD9265_CMOS.bin to match the EVAL-AD9246S signal timing and format.

What power supplies are needed to operate the EVAL-AD9246S?

The EVAL-AD9246S operates from a single 6 V, 2 A switching power supply (e.g., RAI S060S200A1) connected to P200. On-board LDOs generate 1.8 V AVDD, 2.5 V DRVDD, 2.5 V digital buffer, and 3.3 V OTR rails - configured via jumpers P204, P205, P206, and P203. External bench supplies may replace LDO outputs when jumpers are removed, enabling independent section biasing.

Does the EVAL-AD9246S support external clock sources?

Yes, the EVAL-AD9246S supports external clock sources via SMA connector J400. The clock path uses a high-bandwidth 1:1 transformer (T400) to convert single-ended sine wave inputs (~2.8 V p-p or 13 dBm) into differential signals for the AD9246S CLK± inputs. This design minimizes added jitter and maintains phase noise integrity critical for evaluating SNR and SFDR performance.

What software tools are compatible with the EVAL-AD9246S?

The EVAL-AD9246S is validated with Analog Devices' VisualAnalog® (using ad9246s_va_canvases.zip) and SPIController software. VisualAnalog provides FFT-based performance analysis (SNR, SFDR, ENOB), while SPIController enables register-level configuration of the AD9246S via the board's SPI interface. Both tools require the AD9265_CMOS.bin FPGA bitstream loaded onto the HSC-ADC-EVALCZ board.