**The AD7663ASTZ: A 16-Bit, 250 kSPS PulSAR® ADC for Precision Data Acquisition Systems**
In the realm of high-performance electronics, the ability to accurately capture real-world analog signals and convert them into a precise digital representation is paramount. The **AD7663ASTZ from Analog Devices** stands as a cornerstone component in this process, engineered to deliver exceptional performance in demanding precision data acquisition systems. This 16-bit, 250 kSPS analog-to-digital converter (ADC) leverages the proprietary **PulSAR® architecture** to achieve a remarkable blend of speed, accuracy, and power efficiency.
The heart of the AD7663ASTZ's performance is its successive approximation register (SAR) architecture, branded as PulSAR®. This technology is renowned for its deterministic operation and high precision without the latency or complex digital filters associated with delta-sigma (ΔΣ) ADCs. The device guarantees **no missing codes** at the 16-bit level, ensuring every possible digital output value is representable for the highest integrity. It achieves outstanding **dynamic performance**, typified by a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and very low total harmonic distortion (THD), which is critical for applications like spectrum analysis and audio measurement.
Operating at a speedy **250 kilosamples per second (kSPS)**, the ADC provides a fast throughput rate that is suitable for multiplexed multi-channel systems requiring simultaneous sampling or for capturing transient events. Despite its high speed, the AD7663ASTZ is designed for low power operation, consuming a mere 95 mW from a single 5 V supply during normal operation, and features power-down modes for portable, battery-powered instruments.
Ease of integration is another key advantage. The ADC features a versatile parallel and serial interface, offering flexibility for connection to various microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), or FPGAs. Its robust design includes strong internal reference buffers, reducing the need for external support components and simplifying board layout. The device is housed in a compact **48-lead LQFP package**, making it suitable for space-constrained applications without compromising thermal performance or signal integrity.

Typical applications that benefit from the AD7663ASTZ's capabilities are extensive. It is ideally suited for:
* **High-Accuracy Instrumentation** and industrial process control systems.
* **Medical Imaging** and patient monitoring equipment where data precision is non-negotiable.
* **Professional Data Acquisition** systems and automated test equipment (ATE).
* **Spectrum Analysis** and other telecommunications infrastructure.
**ICGOODFIND:** The AD7663ASTZ is a superior 16-bit ADC that masterfully combines the **PulSAR® architecture's precision**, a **high 250 kSPS sampling rate**, and **low power consumption**. Its guaranteed performance, ease of use, and flexibility make it an **exceptional choice for engineers designing critical, high-accuracy data acquisition systems** across medical, industrial, and communications fields.
**Keywords:** **PulSAR® ADC**, **16-bit Resolution**, **250 kSPS**, **Precision Data Acquisition**, **Low Power Consumption**
