I think the discussion on noise has gotten off track. I may be wrong, but I think we are discussing several types of noise:
1. White noise from the source.
2. Deterministic noise from the source.
3. White noise from the ADC.
4. Deterministic noise from the ADC.
4. Deterministic noise from...
Dan + all - At what resolution would you recommend an on-chip ADC? These 12 bit solutions from Microchip? Like you said, maybe I argue to go down in precision to save money. I don't think I can go below 12 though.
Okay...I get the message loud and clear. Thanks for the advice from everyone. I've got to put together a budget outline by Friday and obviously price is what wins...unfortunately. I may be forced into a microcontroller solution. These standalone 16 bit devices run over $20 EACH!!
...a few...
You said : <<Yes, that's right, most microcontrollers with built in units would do a better job.>>
I'm confused. Are you saying that you think the microcontrollers with 16bit ADCs DO WORK???
Yes, I need the speed of the SAR. Multiplex about 16 signals. A delta-sigma can never work. I think the best part gives a conversion rate of about 1kbps.
Sounds like you've been here before. Your link says you do analog circuit development. How much experience do you have in this area (i.e. low noise, 16 bit data acquisition, 1 MHz conversion rate)? Are you able to do work in this area under contract?
Too bad about the part... What got me to thinking about this is that many companies sell these 16 bit converters on microcontrollers. I'm thinking about the Silicon Labs parts (I don't remember the number). They have DACs, temperature sensors, multiple ADCs, amplifiers etc....AND a big...
Does anyone know of a "true" 16 bit SAR ADC that has an on-chip amplifier? It seems like all of the converters require an external amplifier. Given that the dataconverter speed is known, load is known, input voltage level is known, power supply votlage is known, and the noise known...what's...