AD637 High Precision, Wideband RMS-to-DC Converter

The AD637 is a complete, high accuracy, rms-to-dc converter that computes the true rms value of any complex waveform. It offers performance that is unprecedented in integrated circuit rms-to-dc converters and comparable to discrete and modular techniques in accuracy, bandwidth, and dynamic range. The AD637 computes the true root mean square, mean square, or absolute value of any complex ac (or ac plus dc) input waveform and gives an equivalent dc output voltage. The true rms value of a waveform is more useful than an average rectified signal because it relates directly to the power of the signal. The rms value of a statistical signal relates to the standard deviation of the signal.

Superior crest factor compensation permits measurements of signals with crest factors of up to 10 with less than 1% additional error. The wide bandwidth of the AD637 permits the measurement of signals up to 600 kHz with inputs of 200 mV rms and up to 8 MHz when the input levels are above 1 V rms.

Direct dB value of the rms output with a range of 60 dB is available on a separate pin. An externally programmed reference current allows the user to select the 0 dB reference voltage to correspond to any level between 0.1 V and 2.0 V rms.

A chip select connection on the AD637 permits the user to decrease the supply current from 2.2 mA to 350 µA during periods when the rms function is not in use. This feature facilitates the addition of precision rms measurement to remote or handheld applications where minimum power consumption is critical. In addition, when the AD637 is powered down, the output goes to a high impedance state. This allows several AD637s to be tied together to form a wideband true rms multiplexer.

The input circuitry of the AD637 is protected from overload voltages in excess of the supply levels. The inputs are not damaged by input signals if the supply voltages are lost.

The AD637 is laser wafer trimmed to achieve rated performance without external trimming. The only external component required is a capacitor that sets the averaging period. The value of this capacitor also determines low frequency accuracy, ripple level, and settling time.

The on-chip buffer amplifier is used either as an input buffer or in an active filter configuration. The filter can be used to reduce the amount of ac ripple, thereby increasing accuracy.

The AD637 is available in accuracy Grade J and Grade K for commercial temperature range (0°C to 70°C) applications, accuracy Grade A and Grade B for industrial range (−40°C to +85°C) applications, and accuracy Grade S rated over the −55°C to +125°C temperature range. All versions are available in hermetically sealed, 14-lead SBDIP, 14-lead CERDIP, and 16-lead SOIC_W packages.

Features and Benefits
  • High accuracy
    0.02% maximum nonlinearity, 0 V to 2 V rms input
    0.10% additional error to crest factor of 3
  • Computes
    True rms
    Square
    Mean square
    Absolute value
  • dB output (60 dB range)
  • Wide bandwidth
    8 MHz at 2 V rms input
    600 kHz at 100 mV rms
  • Chip select/power-down feature allows
    Analog three-state operation
    Quiescent current reduction from 2.2 mA to 350 μA
  • 14-lead SBDIP, 14-lead low cost CERDIP, and 16-lead SOIC_W
  • Linear Products
    SPICE Models
    Data Sheets
    Documentnote
    AD637: High Precision, Wideband RMS-to-DC Converter Data Sheet (Rev. L)PDF 942 kB
    AD637: Military Data Sheet
    Application Notes
    Documentnote
    AN-653: Improving Temperature, Stability, and Linearity of High Dynamic Range RMS RF Power Detectors (Rev. A)PDF 415 kB
    AN-268: RMS-to-DC Converters Ease Measurement TasksPDF 638 kB
    Technical Books
    Documentnote
    Order Information
    Part NumberPackagePacking QtyTemp RangePrice 100-499Price 1000+RoHS
    5962-8963701CA Production14 ld CerDIPOTH 25-55 to 125C87.6279.21N
    AD637AQ Production14 ld CerDIPOTH 25-40 to 85C26.2523.74N
    AD637ARZ Production16 ld SOIC - WideOTH 47-40 to 85C24.622.23Y
    AD637BRZ Production16 ld SOIC - WideOTH 47-40 to 85C29.1628.58Y
    AD637JDZ Production14 ld Side-Brazed CerDIPOTH 250 to 70C37.5133.9Y
    AD637JQ Production14 ld CerDIPOTH 250 to 70C14.613.2N
    AD637JRZ Production16 ld SOIC - WideOTH 470 to 70C13.6512.35Y
    AD637JRZ-R7 Production16 ld SOIC - WideREEL 2500 to 70C13.6512.35Y
    AD637JRZ-RL Production16 ld SOIC - WideREEL 10000 to 70C012.35Y
    AD637KDZ Production14 ld Side-Brazed CerDIPOTH 250 to 70C61.9656.02Y
    AD637KQ Production14 ld CerDIPOTH 250 to 70C24.9422.53N
    AD637KRZ Production16 ld SOIC - WideOTH 470 to 70C23.5121.24Y
    AD637SD Production14 ld Side-Brazed CerDIPOTH 25-55 to 125C86.3578.05N
    AD637SD/883B Production14 ld Side-Brazed CerDIPOTH 25-55 to 125C95.3786.22N
    AD637SQ/883B Production14 ld CerDIPOTH 25-55 to 125C79.8472.18N
    Evaluation Boards
    Part NumberDescriptionPriceRoHS
    AD637-EVALZEvaluation Board100.9Y
    AD637: High Precision, Wideband RMS-to-DC Converter Data Sheet (Rev. L) ad637
    AD637 SPICE Macro Model ad637
    AD637: Military Data Sheet ad637
    AN-653: Improving Temperature, Stability, and Linearity of High Dynamic Range RMS RF Power Detectors (Rev. A) ad8314
    AN-653: 改善高动态范围均方根射频功率检波器的温度稳定性和线性度 (Rev. A) ad8314
    AN-268: 均方根- 直流转换器使测量工作轻松自如 ad536a
    AN-268: RMS-to-DC Converters Ease Measurement Tasks ad536a