AD7920BRMZ-REEL - 12-Bit 250kSPS SAR ADC | Analog Devices
MPN: AD7920BRMZ-REEL ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.12 | $6.12 |
| 10 | $5.55 | $55.50 |
| 100 | $4.92 | $492.00 |
| 500 | $4.31 | $2,155.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.78 | $3,780.00 |
AD7920BRMZ-REEL Overview
An ADC (analog-to-digital converter) is a data-converter IC that samples continuous analog voltage and produces a discrete digital code proportional to the input amplitude. SAR (successive-approximation-register) ADCs use a binary-search algorithm with an internal DAC and comparator to resolve one bit per clock cycle, achieving an excellent balance of speed, power, and resolution for multiplexed low-channel-count systems. Within the data-converter hierarchy, ADCs sit between signal conditioning and the digital host (MCU, DSP, FPGA), making them a foundational block in the broader mixed-signal and power-management signal chain.
Key features of the AD7920BRMZ-REEL include 250 kSPS throughput, low power dissipation (3.6 mW typical at 250 kSPS with a 3 V supply, 12.5 mW typical at 250 kSPS with a 5 V supply), a wide analog input bandwidth, and flexible power/throughput management where conversion rate scales with the serial clock. The serial interface is SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE-compatible, simplifying connection to microcontrollers and DSPs. The part offers an analog input range of 0 V to VDD and supports an operating temperature range of -40 C to +85 C for industrial environments.
The AD7920BRMZ-REEL uses a low-noise, wide-bandwidth track-and-hold front end and a precision SAR core that maintains 12-bit linearity across the full input range. Its flexible power-down modes enable designers to scale quiescent current proportionally with sample rate - a major advantage in duty-cycled battery applications.
Typical applications include industrial process control, portable battery-powered instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and medical monitoring front ends. The MSOP-8 footprint and SPI interface make it a convenient upgrade path for designers transitioning from larger or slower legacy ADCs.
When designing with the AD7920BRMZ-REEL, ensure the source impedance driving AIN is low (<50 ohm) to avoid DC accuracy errors caused by the track-and-hold input current. Use a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor close to VDD and keep the analog input traces short and guarded to preserve SNR.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, helping engineers select the right 12-bit SAR ADC for compact, low-power designs.
Drop-in alternatives for AD7920BRMZ-REEL — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
AD7920BRMZ-REEL7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD7920BRMZ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD7920AKSZ-500RL7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD7920BKSZ-REEL7
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD7910BRMZ-REEL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD7920BRMZ-REEL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Resolution | 12 bits |
| Conversion Architecture | SAR (Successive Approximation) |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Sample Rate (Throughput) | 250 kSPS |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.35 V to 5.25 V |
| Power Consumption (3 V, 250 kSPS) | 3.6 mW typical |
| Power Consumption (5 V, 250 kSPS) | 12.5 mW typical |
| Analog Input Range | 0 V to VDD |
| Interface | SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE-compatible serial |
| Package | MSOP-8 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Input Bandwidth | Wide-bandwidth track-and-hold (per datasheet typical performance) |
| Power-Down Mode | Yes - flexible throughput/power scaling |
| Screening Level | Industrial |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per Analog Devices product page) |
AD7920BRMZ-REEL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Power supply input (2.35 V to 5.25 V) |
| Pin 2 | AIN — Analog input (0 V to VDD) |
| Pin 3 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 4 | DOUT — Serial data output (conversion result) |
| Pin 5 | DIN — Serial data input (configuration word) |
| Pin 6 | SCLK — Serial clock input |
| Pin 7 | CS/SYNC — Chip select / frame synchronization (active low) |
| Pin 8 | REF/VDD — Reference / VDD (variant dependent) |
Typical Applications
AD7920BRMZ-REEL is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Process Control, Portable Battery-Powered Instrumentation, Data Acquisition Systems, Medical Monitoring Front Ends, Automotive Sensor Signal Chains, Embedded System Digitizer.
Industrial Process Control
The AD7920BRMZ-REEL fits industrial process-control front ends where 12-bit resolution and 250 kSPS throughput digitize 4-20 mA loop or 0-10 V sensor signals before a microcontroller or PLC. The single 2.35-5.25 V supply aligns with 3.3 V and 5 V industrial rails, while the SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE interface connects directly to any industrial MCU. Its -40 C to +85 C industrial screening tolerates factory-floor temperatures.
Recommended
Portable Battery-Powered Instrumentation
The AD7920BRMZ-REEL's low 3.6 mW dissipation at 3 V and flexible power-down modes make it ideal for portable, battery-powered instrumentation such as handheld multimeters, field meters, and data loggers. By duty-cycling conversions, average supply current drops into the microamp range, extending battery life. The MSOP-8 footprint fits compact handheld enclosures, and the SPI interface simplifies connection to low-power MCUs like the ADuCM3027.
Recommended
Data Acquisition Systems
The AD7920BRMZ-REEL works well as a single-channel SAR building block in modular data-acquisition (DAQ) systems, where 12-bit resolution and 250 kSPS throughput digitize sensor, strain-gauge, or thermocouple-conditioned outputs. Its wide-bandwidth track-and-hold preserves full-scale step accuracy at the maximum conversion rate, while the SPI interface daisy-chains multiple AD7920 parts via dedicated CS lines for multi-channel DAQ boards.
Recommended
Medical Monitoring Front Ends
The AD7920BRMZ-REEL suits medical monitoring front ends such as pulse oximeters, patient thermometers, and bedside monitors, where its 12-bit resolution digitizes amplified sensor signals from instrumentation amplifiers. Its low noise and wide analog input bandwidth preserve small physiological signals, while the SPI interface integrates with low-power medical MCUs. Pair with AD8221 instrumentation amp for ECG or photodiode-conditioning front ends.
Recommended
Automotive Sensor Signal Chains
Although the standard AD7920BRMZ-REEL is industrial-grade, the pin-compatible AD7920AKSZ-500RL7 (AEC-Q100) and AD7920BKSZ-REEL7 (extended-temp) make this ADC family suitable for automotive sensor signal chains including battery management, HVAC sensors, and body-control modules. The 12-bit resolution and 250 kSPS throughput digitize automotive 0-5 V ratiometric sensor outputs directly, with the SPI interface connecting to body and chassis MCUs.
Recommended
Embedded System Digitizer
The AD7920BRMZ-REEL functions as a low-cost, compact ADC companion to embedded microcontrollers, microprocessors, and FPGAs that lack built-in high-resolution ADCs. The 4-wire SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE interface directly connects to virtually any modern MCU's SPI peripheral, while the MSOP-8 footprint adds minimal board area. Designers gain 12-bit precision for sensor readout, potentiometer digitizing, or feedback loops without changing host firmware architecture.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for AD7920BRMZ-REEL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | AD7920BRMZ-REEL7 | AD7920BRMZ | AD7920AKSZ-500RL7 | AD7920BKSZ-REEL7 | AD7910BRMZ-REEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | MSOP-8 | MSOP-8 (same) | MSOP-8 (same) | MSOP-8 (same) | MSOP-8 (same) | MSOP-8 (same) |
| Brand | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices |
| Resolution | 12 bits | 12 bits | 12 bits | 12 bits | 12 bits | 10 bits |
| Sample Rate | 250 kSPS | 250 kSPS | 250 kSPS | 250 kSPS | 250 kSPS | 250 kSPS |
| Supply Voltage | 2.35 V to 5.25 V | 2.35 V to 5.25 V | 2.35 V to 5.25 V | 2.35 V to 5.25 V | 2.35 V to 5.25 V | 2.35 V to 5.25 V |
| Power (3 V, 250 kSPS) | 3.6 mW | 3.6 mW | 3.6 mW | 3.6 mW | 3.6 mW | 3.6 mW |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (AEC-Q100) | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Active | Active | Active | Active | Active |
| Qty-1 Unit Price (USD, as of 2026-10) | $6.12 (limited stock) | $6.50 (active) | $7.10 (tray, active) | $9.40 (automotive) | $11.20 (ext. temp) | $5.20 (10-bit) |
Key Differentiators
- Active, broad-distribution drop-in alternative within the same datasheet family (vs AD7920BRMZ-REEL7)
- Automotive-grade screening option in the same MSOP-8 footprint (vs AD7920AKSZ-500RL7)
- 12-bit resolution vs 10-bit family member at lower cost (vs AD7910BRMZ-REEL)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD=5 V, 250 kSPS continuous sampling, the AD7920BRMZ-REEL dissipates approximately 12.5 mW per the Analog Devices AD7910/AD7920 datasheet. The part includes a hardware power-down mode entered between conversions that drops quiescent current into the microamp range. For battery-powered designs, duty-cycle the CS line to power down the ADC between samples, then wake it on the rising edge of CS - average current is then dominated by leakage rather than active conversion current.
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (Pin 1) of the AD7920BRMZ-REEL, with the ground return to Pin 3 (GND). Keep the analog input trace (Pin 2, AIN) short and guard it with a ground pour to prevent digital switching noise from coupling into the SAR comparator. Route SPI signals (DOUT, DIN, SCLK, CS) away from the analog trace and group them on the opposite side of the MSOP-8 package.
The AD7920BRMZ-REEL's SAR architecture samples the analog input on the falling edge of CS (or the rising edge of SCLK depending on configuration). The analog source impedance should be below 50 ohm to avoid DC errors from the track-and-hold input current; add an op-amp buffer (e.g., AD8628) if driving from a high-impedance source. For best SNR at 250 kSPS, use a clean low-noise VDD supply - prefer a linear regulator over a switching converter near the ADC.
Common pitfalls when designing with the AD7920BRMZ-REEL: (1) driving AIN with source impedances > 50 ohm without a buffer causes gain errors; (2) exceeding VDD on the analog input damages the ESD diodes and corrupts conversions; (3) toggling CS while SCLK is high can desynchronize the serial frame and cause the host to read shifted data; (4) the AD7920BRMZ-REEL is obsolete - new designs must use AD7920BRMZ-REEL7 to avoid future supply risk; (5) leaving the part in continuous-conversion mode defeats its low-power advantage in battery systems.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Analog Devices product page. Industrial screening only; for AEC-Q100 automotive qualification, use AD7920AKSZ-500RL7 or AD7920BKSZ-REEL7 drop-in equivalents.
