New-Tech Europe Magazine | May 2016

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introduces the LTC2311-16, a 16-bit, 5Msps successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a wide rail- to-rail input common mode range. The LTC2311-16 features a flexible differential input that accepts analog signals up to the Nyquist frequency. This provides direct conversion of a variety of signal types while maintaining a good signal-to- noise ratio (SNR) of 81.6dB with a 2.2MHz input signal, and achieving a high common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of 85dB for the same high speed input signal. Instrumentation and medical applications that require channel- to-channel isolation often use single-channel ADCs to individually isolate front-end circuitry. Each of the ADC channels then requires its own signal conditioning circuitry along with an isolated power source. This circuit is replicated on all channels, so any simplification in the circuit has a profound effect on the complexity of the system. The flexible differential inputs and wide input common mode range of the LTC2311-16 simplify the input signal conditioning design, significantly lowering the required component count, reducing system cost, power consumption and circuit board space. The LTC2311-16 leads a pin- compatible family of 16-, 14- and 12-bit SAR ADCs with sample rates of 5Msps and 2Msps. These devices integrate a precision internal reference with low drift, guaranteeing 20ppm/°C maximum temperature coefficient to simplify

of the Mali-G71. The architecture is optimized for Vulkan and other industry-standard APIs, building on innovations from the previous Utgard and Midgard architectures. “VR is one of the most important technological breakthroughs for the gaming industry in a generation,” said Niklas Smedberg, technical director, platform partnerships, Epic Games. “The ability to deliver a compelling VR experience on all platforms, but especially mobile, is critical for the industry’s continued growth and advancement. To enable a great mobile VR experience, devices need to be the highest performing and most energy efficient available.” “It’s basic math – the sheer number of smartphones in the world is already double PCs and rising, which makes it the single most important device for accelerating VR gaming adoption,” said Clive Downie, CMO Unity Technologies. “ARM is making smart investments that move the mobile VR and AR ecosystems forward. By creating more efficient and powerful technology solutions for mobile they are helping push the boundaries of what is possible in the virtual world and everyone will benefit.” Cortex-A73: More Efficiency and Performance for Mobile SoCs At under 0.65mm2 per core (on a 10nm FinFET process technology) the Cortex-A73 is the smallest and most efficient ‘big’ ARMv8-A core. Its advanced mobile microarchitecture enables a 30 percent uplift in sustained performance and power efficiency over the Cortex-A72. Size and efficiency improvements enhance the ability of silicon

providers to use the Cortex-A73 in ARM big.LITTLE™ configurations. These improvements create further opportunities for designers to scale big cores along with the GPU and other IP in a single SoC. Ten partners have licensed the Cortex-A73 so far, including HiSilicon, Marvell and Mediatek. “In order to deliver more quality and excellent smartphone experiences to consumers, Huawei will continue enhancing the integrated performance of our premium smartphones,” said Kevin Ho, President, handset business, Huawei consumer business group. “The system-level approach that ARM takes in developing its IP is a vital element in ensuring our design teams are able to maximize efficiency and performance across the entire device.” In addition to smartphones, ARM’s latest premium IP suite offers the increased performance density and throughput required for other consumer electronics applications such as large-screen compute devices, industrial gateways, in vehicle infotainment and smart TVs..

16-Bit, 5Msps SAR ADC

with Wide Input Common Mode Range Simplifies Analog Front-End Circuitry Linear Technology Corporation

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