MCUs integrate 24bit sigma-delta ADCs, ARM7 core

Analog Devices Inc. has unveiled a highly integrated MCU family incorporating two 24bit sigma-delta ADCs and a host of analog peripherals with a 32bit ARM7 core to create a solution for precision sensing applications.

The ADuC706x family expands ADI's precision analog MCU portfolio offering high performance data conversion for hardware, firmware and industrial systems engineers designing smart sensing, factory automation and instrumentation equipment. In addition, the combination of small size, low operating power and ADI's data conversion design eliminates the complexity, cost and performance degradation issues associated with discrete mixed-signal solutions.

Designed for 4- to 20mA loop-powered applications in factory automation and for precision instruments, the ADuC706x family includes the ADuC7060, ADuC7061 and ADuC7062.

The devices feature an ADC noise performance of just 60nV—20 percent better than the nearest competing part—and offer five times more processing power for a given clock rate. The new precision analog MCUs also incorporate 32Kbyte flash memory and 4Kbyte SRAM, programmable gain amplifier, multiplexers, buffers, auxiliary 24bit ADC for cold junction compensation and interfacing to thermocouple applications, and SPI, UART and I?C ports. The devices consume just 2.6mA with all peripherals activated.

"Precision sensing requires a low noise, high resolution signal conversion architecture," said Mike Britchfield, product line director, precision signal processing, ADI. "With its on-chip 24bit sigma-delta ADCs, the ADuC706x provides the resolution required by today's high-performance industrial and instrumentation equipment, while keeping the noise low. This performance, complemented by the simplicity of a single-chip solution, handles all data acquisition, processing and communications functions at the signal source."

The ADuC7060, available in a 7mm x 7mm 48-pin chip-scale (QFN) package, offers more analog-input channels and general-purpose I/Os than other devices in the family. The ADuC7061 and ADuC7062 come in 5mm x 5mm 32-pin chip-scale (QFN) packages, suitable for space-constrained applications. The ADuC7062 does not include the auxiliary ADC channel.

The ADuC706x family is available in sample quantities and will be in full factory production in November. The ADuC7060, ADuC7061 and ADuC7062 precision analog MCU are priced at $4.90, $3.95 and $3.40 respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities.