Single-Chip Solutions Enable HD Image Acquisition for Medical, Industrial and Scientific Designs

Date: 27/1/2010

Single-Chip Solutions Enable HD Image Acquisition for Medical, Industrial and Scientific Designs

New HD image signal processors combine image signal conditioning circuitry, a 14-bit ADC, and precision timing core to enable high-speed digital imaging

Medical, industrial and scientific imaging applications present designers with a host of signal-processing complexities in order to accurately capture and record the required high-resolution images. Addressing these challenges Analog Devices has introduced two high-performance, highly integrated 14-bit HD (high-definition) image signal processors that enable designers to create multi-channel CCD (charge-coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) HD image acquisition systems that are able to deliver the degree of clarity, visibility and accuracy needed for today’s high-resolution requirements.

The 75 MSPS dual-channel AD9978A and 72 MSPS quad-channel ADDI7004 HD image signal processors enable the high-resolution, high-speed sampling of signals from advanced image sensors, while consuming very little power - 280 mW (milliwatts) and 530 mW, respectively. Each channel of the AD9978A and ADDI7004 integrates a complete AFE (Analog Front End) comprising a black-level clamp, a CDS (correlated double sampler), a 10-bit VGA (variable gain amplifier), and a 14-bit ADC (analog-to-digital converter). Analog Devices’ Precision Timing® core provides adjustments for the CDS and SHA (sample-and-hold amplifier) clocks with 210 ps (picosecond) resolution at 75 MHz (AD9978A) and 217 ps at 72 MHz (ADDI7004). The AD9978A and ADDI7004 also contain a reduced range LVDS (low-voltage differential signaling) interface for the image-data outputs to increase performance and reduce EMI (electromagnetic interference) issues.

According to Stuart Boyd, Analog Devices’ product line director, Digital Imaging Systems, the AD9978A and ADDI7004 high-resolution image signal processors support designers’ efforts to standardize their image sensor interface designs across multiple platforms, eliminating the need to change or add additional components and reducing overall system cost across several models: “Designers of high-performance imaging system designers used to be forced to use multiple high-power components to sample image signals at HD rates”,  Boyd said. “By integrating high-performance signal conditioning circuitry, a 14-bit data converter, and a precision timing core into a single HD image acquisition solution, the AD9978A and ADDI7004 enable designers to achieve an unequalled combination of speed and accuracy in high-speed, high-resolution digital imaging systems, while eliminating the power dissipation limitations that restrict portability and increase design cost.” 

As the power consumption of the AD9978A and ADDI7004 is proportional to their sampling frequency the devices dynamically lower power consumption at lower frequencies to extend battery life. “They reduce component count and power consumption without sacrificing performance. In addition, the AD9978A is pin-for-pin compatible with the industry-standard AD9978 14-bit CCD signal processor, enabling designers to easily change existing designs to maximise high-end performance”, concluded Boyd.

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