ADS7883: Title: ADS7883 – Clock and Sample Rate Limitations at 3.3 V

Part Number: ADS7883


Hello TI Team,

I’m working with the ADS7883 SAR ADC and have a couple of questions regarding its performance at different supply voltages:

  1. Clock Frequency:
    The datasheet mentions that the device supports up to 48 MHz SCLK when VDD = 4.5 V to 5.5 V, and 32 MHz SCLK when VDD = 2.7 V to 4.5 V.

    • At 3.3 V, is it strictly limited to 32 MHz, or is there any margin for higher clock rates?
  2. Sample Rate:
    The datasheet specifies 2 MSPS for VDD = 2.7 V to 4.5 V and 3 MSPS for VDD = 4.5 V to 5.5 V.

    • Why is the maximum sample rate dependent on supply voltage?
    • Is this due to internal SAR timing constraints, or other factors?

I want to confirm if achieving 3 MSPS at 3.3 V is possible in any scenario, or if it’s fundamentally limited by the device.

  • HI Christian,

    1. This device is limited to 2MSPS @ 32MHz fSCLK under 4.5Vdd. This is limited by design, and performance above this sampling rate is not characterized.

    2. This distinction comes about because transistor drive strength is higher with Vdd > 4.5V. The analog circuitry (comparator, reference buffer) at lower voltages operates more slowly. This in turn impacts the timing constraints due to different internal circuit switch times.

    In short, 3 MSPS at 3.3V is not achievable with this device at advertised performance levels. 

    Regards,
    Joel