Texas Instruments TLV0838IPWG4

Overview

TLV0838IPWG4 from Texas Instruments is an 8-bit successive-approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with integrated 8-channel multiplexer, serial control interface, and operation over –40°C to 85°C. It supports single-ended, differential, and pseudodifferential input configurations, uses a 2.7-V to 3.6-V supply, achieves ±1 LSB total unadjusted error, and completes conversion in 32 µs at 250 kHz clock frequency. It is used in industrial sensor signal conditioning where remote analog acquisition and noise-immune serial data transmission are required.

For engineers reviewing the TLV0838IPWG4 datasheet, TLV0838IPWG4 pinout, TLV0838IPWG4 application, or TLV0838IPWG4 equivalent, key selection considerations include its TSSOP-20 package, ratiometric reference capability, software-configurable channel addressing, MSB-first/LSB-first output mode via SE pin, and compatibility with TTL/MOS logic levels - all critical for embedded microcontroller-based data acquisition systems.

Technical Context

The TLV0838IPWG4 implements a sample-data comparator architecture with a 9-bit internal shift register for multiplexer address and conversion result handling. Its serial protocol requires a start bit followed by a 3–4-bit assignment word to select channel and input mode (SGL/DIF, ODD/EVEN, polarity), after which conversion begins automatically upon start-bit latching.

It features dual output formats: MSB-first (default) or LSB-first (enabled by driving SE low before data clocking), and includes SARS (SAR Status) output to indicate active conversion. The COM pin serves as common-mode reference for pseudodifferential operation across all eight channels, enabling bias-independent analog sensing in non-ground-referenced systems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP-20 package (PW), 4.4 mm × 6.5 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch, exposed pad not present, RoHS-compliant NIPDAU finish, MSL Level-1.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TLV0838CPW and ADC0838CCN, the TLV0838IPWG4 offers guaranteed industrial-temperature operation, lower quiescent current, TSSOP-20 surface-mount compatibility, and native 3-V logic interface - making it the optimal choice for new designs targeting reliability, miniaturization, and energy efficiency.

Availability

TLV0838IPWG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor monitoring, automotive climate control, portable data loggers, and PLC analog input modules requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for TLV0838IPWG4 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 and embedded processing technologies, with decades of expertise in precision data converters and industrial-grade IC design.

The TLV0838IPWG4 belongs to TI's TLV083x family of low-voltage serial ADCs, engineered specifically for cost-sensitive, space-constrained embedded systems needing reliable analog digitization without external support components.

FAQ

What is the maximum clock frequency supported by TLV0838IPWG4 at 3.3 V?

The TLV0838IPWG4 supports up to 600 kHz clock frequency when operated at V_CC = 3.3 V, enabling faster conversion cycles and higher effective sampling rates than the 250 kHz baseline. At this frequency, conversion time remains fixed at 8 clock periods, resulting in ~13.3 µs minimum conversion duration. This allows the TLV0838IPWG4 to achieve up to ~75 kSPS in burst-mode applications while maintaining ±1 LSB total unadjusted error specification.

How does the COM pin function in TLV0838IPWG4 pseudodifferential mode?

In pseudodifferential mode, the COM pin on the TLV0838IPWG4 acts as a common-mode reference voltage applied to the negative input of all eight channels. Each CHx input becomes the positive side of a differential pair relative to COM, enabling accurate measurement of signals biased above ground - such as thermocouple outputs or sensor bridges operating at mid-supply. This eliminates the need for external instrumentation amplifiers and preserves the TLV0838IPWG4's 8-bit resolution across the selected input span.

Can TLV0838IPWG4 operate without an external reference voltage?

Yes, the TLV0838IPWG4 can operate ratiometrically using V_CC as the reference when the REF pin is left unconnected or tied to V_CC. In this configuration, the full-scale range equals V_CC, and digital output scales linearly with supply voltage variations. This simplifies design in systems where supply regulation is stable and precision external references are unnecessary - a key advantage of the TLV0838IPWG4 in cost-sensitive embedded applications.

What is the purpose of the SARS pin on TLV0838IPWG4?

The SARS (Successive Approximation Register Status) pin on the TLV0838IPWG4 outputs a high signal during active conversion and goes low when conversion completes. This provides hardware-level ready indication to the controlling microcontroller, eliminating the need for fixed-delay polling or precise timing calculations to read DO. Using SARS improves system determinism and frees MCU resources - a critical feature for real-time TLV0838IPWG4 deployments in industrial control loops.

Is TLV0838IPWG4 pin-compatible with TLV0834IPWG4?

No, the TLV0838IPWG4 is not pin-compatible with TLV0834IPWG4. The TLV0838IPWG4 uses a 20-pin TSSOP (PW) package to accommodate its eight analog inputs (CH0–CH7), COM, and additional control lines, whereas the TLV0834IPWG4 is a 16-pin device supporting only four channels. Their pinouts differ fundamentally - including distinct pin counts, channel assignments, and absence/presence of COM - so PCB layout changes are required for substitution.