Texas Instruments TLV2542CDGK

Overview

TLV2542CDGK from Texas Instruments is a 12-bit successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter with dual-channel autosweep capability, rail-to-rail analog input (500 kHz bandwidth), SPI/DSP-compatible serial interface, and built-in conversion clock. It operates from a single 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply, delivers up to 200 kSPS throughput, and supports autopower-down mode (2 µA at 2.7 V). It is used in portable instrumentation and battery-powered sensor data acquisition systems requiring low-power, high-accuracy sampling.

For engineers reviewing the TLV2542CDGK datasheet, TLV2542CDGK pinout, TLV2542CDGK application, or TLV2542CDGK equivalent, key selection considerations include its dual-channel autoswitching behavior, MSOP-8 package footprint, 12-bit ±1 LSB INL/DNL performance, and compatibility with microcontroller SPI or TMS320 DSP frame-sync interfaces without external clocking.

Technical Context

The TLV2542CDGK implements a charge redistribution SAR architecture with internal oscillator-based conversion timing (3.5 µs conversion time), enabling deterministic latency independent of host SCLK frequency. Its dual-input multiplexer toggles between AIN0 and AIN1 on each CS falling edge, with MUX reset capability via short CS pulses (4–7 SCLKs).

It uses unipolar straight-binary output format (000h = GND, FFFh = VREF − 1 LSB), supports external reference voltage (2 V to VDD), and features three power states: active (0.95 mA at 2.7 V), autopower-down (2 µA), and deep autopower-down (1 µA after ≥2 ms idle). Timing is governed by CS-controlled cycles with strict setup/hold requirements relative to SCLK.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TLV2542CDGK is housed in an 8-pin MSOP (DGK) package, 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm × 1.0 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch, exposed thermal pad (not electrically connected). Pinout is validated per TI SLAS245E datasheet Figure 4 and Terminal Functions table for TLV2542.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar dual-channel, low-power, 12-bit SAR ADC applications.

Compared with ADS7822U and MCP3202-I/P, TLV2542CDGK uniquely integrates dual-channel autosweep, built-in conversion clock, and sub-µA autopower-down - making it optimal for space-constrained, battery-powered systems requiring autonomous multi-sensor sampling without host intervention.

Availability

TLV2542CDGK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable instrumentation, industrial sensor hubs, medical wearables, and automotive cabin air monitors requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.

Supply support for TLV2542CDGK 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 low-power design.

The TLV254x family was engineered for portable and battery-operated measurement systems needing high-resolution ADC functionality in minimal footprint, emphasizing integration (built-in clock, autosweep), efficiency (sub-µA power-down), and interface flexibility (SPI/DSP).

FAQ

What is the maximum sample rate achievable with TLV2542CDGK?

The TLV2542CDGK achieves up to 200 kSPS when operated at VDD = 4.5–5.5 V with SCLK up to 20 MHz. At 2.7 V, maximum throughput drops to 140 kSPS due to internal timing constraints. This is confirmed in Table 1 of the SLAS245E datasheet under "CS and FS control" mode. The 3.5 µs conversion time remains constant regardless of SCLK frequency because it relies on the internal oscillator.

How does the TLV2542CDGK handle dual-channel sampling?

The TLV2542CDGK implements hardware-based autosweep: each falling edge of CS toggles the analog input MUX between AIN0 and AIN1. After power-up, one dummy conversion cycle is recommended before relying on channel order. A short CS pulse (4–7 SCLKs) resets the MUX to AIN0. This behavior is explicitly defined in the "TLV2542 channel MUX reset cycle" section of the datasheet and differs from software-controlled alternatives.

Does TLV2542CDGK require an external clock for conversion?

No. TLV2542CDGK contains a built-in oscillator that serves as the conversion clock, delivering a fixed 3.5 µs conversion time independent of the host SCLK frequency. The SCLK only governs serial data transfer timing and sampling window duration (12 SCLKs). This eliminates external clock components and associated layout complexity - a key differentiator versus many competing SAR ADCs like the ADS7822U.

What are the power-down current specifications for TLV2542CDGK?

TLV2542CDGK offers two low-power states: autopower-down draws 2 µA at 2.7 V (5 µA at 5 V) and activates within 0.5 µs after conversion completion; deep autopower-down draws 1 µA at both voltages but requires ≥2 ms of CS/SCLK inactivity. These values are measured with all digital inputs held at valid logic levels and are specified in the "Electrical Characteristics" table of SLAS245E.

Can TLV2542CDGK interface directly with a TMS320 DSP serial port?

Yes. TLV2542CDGK supports DSP interface mode using either CS-as-FS (pin 1 only) or dedicated FS (pin 7, TLV2541-only). For TLV2542CDGK, connecting the DSP's FSR signal to CS enables frame-sync operation without external logic. The device outputs MSB-first data aligned to SCLK falling edges, matching standard TMS320 McBSP timing requirements as documented in the "Control via pin 1 (CS, DSP interface)" section.