January 31, 2013 – Analog Devices ( www.analog.com , NASDAQ: ADI), a leader in data conversion technology and a long-time partner of the medical imaging industry, has launched a highly integrated digital X-ray analog front-end (AFE) product featuring the industry's lowest noise performance, multiple power mode options, and superior image quality. The 256-channel ADAS1256 digital X-ray AFE is the industry's first single-chip solution to integrate a comprehensive charge-to-digital conversion signal chain, including a low-noise programmable charge amplifier, complementary double-sampling circuitry, and a 16-bit A/D converter. With a noise figure of 2 picocoulombs at a full-scale range and a 560-electron equivalent charge, the ADAS1256 delivers high-resolution digital X-ray images while reducing X-ray radiation doses for patients. ADAS1256 provides multiple operating power modes ranging from 1 mW/channel to 3 mW/channel, so equipment manufacturers can use it for various types of digital X-ray equipment, including mobile radiography and mammography, as well as high-speed fluoroscopy and cardiac imaging.

“By leveraging the ADAS1256’s very low noise performance and excellent dynamic range, digital X-ray technology can now provide superior diagnostic image quality compared to existing digital X-ray systems and reduce radiation doses to patients,” said Pat O’Doherty, Vice President of Analog Devices’ Healthcare Group. “By minimizing power consumption and delivering such outstanding performance, the ADAS1256 digital X-ray AFE provides medical equipment developers with a single-chip solution to meet the ever-increasing performance demands of the portable digital X-ray market.”

ADAS1256 Digital X-ray AFE
The ADAS1256 is a 256-channel, simultaneous sampling, high dynamic range, low-power analog front-end product integrating a comprehensive charge-to-digital conversion signal chain. It includes 256 low-noise integrators, low-pass filters, and complementary double samplers (multitransmitting to high-speed 16-bit A/D converters). All converted channel results are output through a single LVDS (low-voltage differential signaling) self-clocked serial interface. The ADAS1256 can be programmed via an SPI-compatible daisy-chain serial interface. This device product is available in a high-density system-on-flex (SOF) package and can be attached directly to a digital X-ray panel.

Key Features of ADAS1256 Digital X-ray AFE
• Single-chip 256-channel charge-to-digital conversion
• 16-bit resolution does not cause code loss
• Simultaneous sampling
• User-adjustable full-scale range up to 32 picocoulombs
• Ultra-low noise: 560 electrons in the 2 picocoulomb range
• Multiple operating power modes: from 1mW/channel to 3mW/channel
• Power down and sleep modes are as low as 0.005mW/channel

Price, supply, related products

ADAS1256 can be used with ADP7104 and ADP1708 low dropout (LDO) linear regulators, ADP1828 synchronous step-down DC-DC controller, ADR444 voltage reference, ADCLK846 LVDS/CMOS fan-out buffer, and ADXL345 MEMS digital accelerometer.