Texas Instruments TLC0820ACDW

Overview

TLC0820ACDW from Texas Instruments is an Advanced LinCMOS™ 8-bit analog-to-digital converter using modified flash architecture, featuring differential reference inputs, parallel microprocessor interface, on-chip track-and-hold (100-ns sample window), single 5-V supply operation, and ±1 LSB total unadjusted error over 0°C to 70°C. It delivers 1.18 µs conversion time and supports read-only and write-read modes for embedded data acquisition in industrial control systems.

For engineers reviewing the TLC0820ACDW datasheet, TLC0820ACDW pinout, TLC0820ACDW application, or TLC0820ACDW equivalent, key selection considerations include its 20-pin SOIC (DW) package, TTL-compatible 3-state outputs, dual-mode timing control (MODE pin), overflow flag for cascading, and compatibility with legacy ADC0820C/CC and AD7820K/B/T designs.

Technical Context

The TLC0820ACDW implements a two-stage modified flash architecture: two independent 4-bit flash ADCs generate high- and low-order nibbles, with a 4-bit DAC and summing amplifier resolving residual error. Its internal timing eliminates external clock requirements, and the MODE pin selects between read mode (WR/RDY as ready output) and write-read mode (WR/RDY as write input).

It features differential reference inputs (REF+, REF–) defining full-scale range, enabling ratiometric conversion; overflow (OFLW) output supports multi-device cascading for >8-bit resolution; and interrupt (INT) provides precise conversion completion signaling with 800 ns typical delay after WR/RDY rising edge.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SOIC-20 (DW), 7.5 mm × 12.8 mm body, 1.27 mm lead pitch, 2.65 mm max height, RoHS-compliant NIPDAU finish, MSL Level-1.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 8-bit parallel ADC applications.

Compared with ADC0820CCN and AD7820KN, the TLC0820ACDW offers superior conversion speed (1.18 µs vs. 25 µs), integrated track-and-hold eliminating external components, and lower power consumption-making it optimal for real-time embedded acquisition where latency and component count matter.

Availability

TLC0820ACDW is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial process monitoring, legacy microcontroller data acquisition, and test equipment front-end designs requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant SOIC packaging.

Supply support for TLC0820ACDW 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies with decades of precision data converter expertise.

The TLC0820ACDW belongs to TI's legacy LinCMOS™ precision ADC family, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, high-speed 8-bit digitization in industrial and instrumentation systems where parallel interface simplicity and timing predictability are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum analog input slew rate supported by the TLC0820ACDW?

The TLC0820ACDW supports analog input signals with slew rates up to 100 mV/µs due to its integrated 100-ns track-and-hold circuit. This specification ensures accurate sampling without distortion for fast-changing signals such as motor current transients or pulse-width modulated sensor outputs. The TLC0820ACDW achieves this performance without requiring external sample-and-hold components, simplifying system design while maintaining fidelity across its full operating temperature range.

Does the TLC0820ACDW require an external clock or oscillator?

No, the TLC0820ACDW does not require an external clock or oscillator. Its modified flash architecture incorporates internal timing generation, enabling autonomous conversion initiation and completion. In read mode, conversion starts on the falling edge of RD; in write-read mode, it starts on the rising edge of WR/RDY. This self-timed operation eliminates timing component dependencies and reduces system-level BOM count and layout complexity for the TLC0820ACDW.

How does the MODE pin affect TLC0820ACDW interface timing?

The MODE pin configures the TLC0820ACDW into either read mode (MODE low) or write-read mode (MODE high). In read mode, WR/RDY functions as an open-drain ready output, and conversion begins on RD falling edge. In write-read mode, WR/RDY acts as a write input, and conversion starts on its rising edge. This dual-mode flexibility allows the TLC0820ACDW to interface seamlessly with diverse microprocessor architectures-whether polling-based or handshake-driven-without external logic.

Can the TLC0820ACDW be used in cascaded configurations for higher resolution?

Yes, the TLC0820ACDW includes an OFLW (overflow) output that goes low when the analog input exceeds V_REF+, enabling hardware cascading. By connecting OFLW of one TLC0820ACDW to the MODE or CS of another, designers can construct 9-bit or 10-bit systems using two or three devices. This capability is explicitly documented in the TLC0820ACDW datasheet Figure 6 and requires no firmware modification-leveraging native hardware signaling for extended resolution.

What is the total unadjusted error specification for the TLC0820ACDW?

The TLC0820ACDW has a total unadjusted error of ±1 LSB over its full operating temperature range (0°C to 70°C). This specification encompasses offset, full-scale, and linearity errors without calibration. It reflects guaranteed performance across process, voltage, and temperature variations, making the TLC0820ACDW suitable for applications where consistent 8-bit accuracy is required without trimming-such as industrial sensor interfaces and automated test equipment front-ends.