Tiny 16-Bit ADC Integrates 2ppm/ºC Reference for Space-Constrained Sensor Applications

Operating from a single 2.7V to 5.5V supply, these ADCs are designed to measure single-ended (LTC2460) or differential (LTC2462) sensors via an SPI serial interface. With its internal 1.25V reference, the LTC2460 can measure a single-ended input from 0V to 1.25V, while the LTC2462 is capable of measuring a differential input up to ±1.25V.

The versatile LTC2460/LTC2462 achieve excellent 16-bit DC performance of 1LSB (Typ) integral nonlinearity error, 2.2uVRMS transition noise and 0.25% gain error (max). These ADCs have an internal oscillator, another space-saving feature. They operate up to 60 conversions per second, making it easy to measure temperature, pressure, voltage, or other low-frequency sensor signals.

The LTC2460/LTC2462 draw 2.5mA (max) supply current at the 60Hz maximum sample rate with the internal reference active. After each conversion, the ADC enters a shutdown mode, reducing supply current to less than 1.5mA (max). Supply current can be further reduced to less than 2uA (max) in sleep mode. The LTC2460/LTC2462 also incorporate a proprietary input sampling network that reduces the dynamic input current to less than 50nA, making possible a wide range of external input filter and protection circuits.

The LTC2460 and LTC2462 join a family that includes the previously released LTC2450 (single-ended input, VCC used as the reference) and LTC2452 (differential input, external reference required). The LTC2450/LTC2452 ADCs should be used for applications that need to measure input signals greater than 1.25V.