NEW 256-CHANNEL ADC FROM AMS OSRAM REDUCES POWER AND DESIGN COMPLEXITY IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE CT DETECTORS

ams OSRAM, a global leader in optical solutions, introduced the AS5911, a 256-channel analog-to-digital converter for digitizing signals from photodiode arrays in high-performance computed tomography (CT) scanners.

The AS5911, housed in a 14mm x 14mm FBGA, is a system-in-package solution that performs simultaneous current-to-digital conversion of the outputs from 256 photodiodes in a CT detector.

Smaller than current competing specialist ADCs for CT detectors, the AS5911 has a reduced footprint that facilitates its integration in a variety of detector form factors, including 4-side buttable solutions thanks to its reduced external bill of materials (BOM) and embedded components.




The power dissipation is yet an additional significant benefit of the AS5911. At just 1.25mW per channel in low-power mode, it consumes less power than existing products on the market. Its low power consumption facilitates temperature stabilization strategies by CT scanner manufacturers, ultimately yielding better system performance and potential savings in thermal management.

The AS5911 features on-chip calibration functions for parameters such as offset voltage, linearity, offset charge and leakage current. This allows to automatically set the photodiode and the front-end at their ideal operating point, compensating for offsets and non-linearities of the signal chain.

The AS5911 is available for sampling now. Evaluation boards are available directly from ams OSRAM for performance measurements.