Hittite Microwave Corporation has introduced three new ADCs that are ideal for Digital Storage Oscilloscopes (DSOs). The combination of low power and 1 GSPS sample rate yields the industry's first ADC solution for 1 GSPS USB powered Oscilloscopes.

The HMCAD1520, HMCAD1511 and HMCAD1510 feature integrated functions which are ideal for DSO applications. Integrated crosspoint switches allow switching between quad, dual and single channel modes, while integrated 1 to 8 x clock dividers keep the input clock frequency constant when the number of channels is changed.

The HMCAD1511 features 8-bit resolution at 1 GSPS sample rate. A 13-bit internal resolution allows up to 32 x (30 dB) of digital gain without missing codes, allowing the user to replace analog gain circuitry with digital gain settings. At 1 GSPS and 710 mW, the HMCAD1511 consumes the industry's lowest power, enabling the implementation of USB powered oscilloscopes up to 1 GSPS.

By interleaving 2 or 4 HMCAD1511 ADCs, overall sample rates of 2 or 4 GSPS can be achieved respectively. The low size and power of HMCAD1511 make it an excellent building block for Oscilloscopes up to 4 GSPS.

The HMCAD1520 provides up to 12-bit resolution at up to 640 MSPS, making it ideal for precision DSOs. The HMCAD1511 is available as an operational mode for the HMCAD1520, allowing combined 12-bit and 8-bit implementations. The HMCAD1510 features 8-bit resolution up 500 MSPS. The device consumes the lowest power in the industry at 295 mW, making it an ideal choice for high performance handheld battery powered oscilloscopes.

All three ADCs can be evaluated with the Hittite EasySuite evaluation kits, EKIT01-AD1520, EKIT-AD1511 and EKIT-AD1510.The evaluation kits are based on Xilinx FMC (FPGA Mezzanine Card) SP601 standard motherboards, and feature Hittite evaluation boards with on-board ADCs connected to the Xilinx board through an FMC connector. Hittite's pre-loaded EasyStack firmware performs FPGA processing, while the EasySuite PC software tool performs ADC configuration, data capture and performance analysis.

The HMCAD1520, HMCAD1511 and HMCAD1510 ADCs are housed in 7 x 7 mm plastic leadless surface mount packages.Samples and Evaluation Kits are available from stock and can be ordered via the company's e-commerce site or via direct purchase order.