ams OSRAM presents new 512-channel ADC for CT detectors

ams OSRAM, a global leader in intelligent sensors and emitters, introduces the new generation of their specialist analog-to-digital converters: The 512-channel analog-to-digital converter AS5912, which optimizes the digitization of signals from photodiode (PD) arrays in high-performance computed tomography (CT) scanners. The company is thus offering the first ADC of its kind. 

ams OSRAM presents new 512-channel ADC for CT detectors
 
Munich, Germany und Premstätten, Austria (22 February 2024) – With the AS5912, ams OSRAM, a leading supplier in the medical segment for CT scanners, introduces the first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for CT detectors with 512 channels in a compact 23 mm x 15 mm Ball Grid Array (BGA) system-in-package solution. Thanks to its high channel density, the ADC enables smaller pixels of CT modules in order to achieve a high-resolution image quality of the CT scanner.
  
The AS5912 is a system-in-package integrating the silicon and the decoupling capacitors required to achieve the guaranteed performance, reducing the customer’s Bill of Materials (BoM) and facilitating system integration. It features the analog front end and analog-to-digital conversion for each channel, low dropout regulators (LDO), an integrated reference voltage and a temperature sensor. On-chip auto-calibration functions reduce development effort in the data acquisition system.
  
At the same time, the ADC reduces the assembly complexity of the CT module. In particular, a 4-side buttable module consisting e.g. of a 16 x 32 PD array, that now can be interfaced by a single AS5912.
  
As it uses the same architecture as in the 256-channel AS5911 device, the AS5912 matches the same best-in-class power-to-noise ratio that allows for the highest image quality of next generation CT scanners. In low power mode, the power dissipation of 1.25 mW per channel reduces self-heating effects facilitating temperature stabilization strategies of CT scanners. A critical aspect for image quality is noise, the input-referred noise is below 0.29 fC at an input current range of 0.5 µA. 
  
Compared to AS5911 having 256-channel, the new AS5912 serves twice as many channels in one BGA package with smaller equivalent footprint per channel. As a result, the new AS5912 will play a key role in the next generation of high-performance CT scanners for medical and security applications that require lower complexity with higher performance.

About the ADC product family 
After AS5900 (128-channel ADC) and AS5911 (256-channel ADC), ams ORAM launches now its 512-channel specialty ADC for CT detectors. The product family is of superior performance than competing specialty ADCs and its system-in-package has a smaller footprint. The ADC family facilitates installation in a variety of detector form factors, including CT modules that line up on all four sides.