Silanna Unveils Smaller Nano High-Performance ADCs

Silanna, a semiconductor company based in Queensland, Australia, has unveiled its latest product, the Plural Nano High-Performance ADCs, which are significantly smaller than competing devices. According to the press release, these new ADCs are up to 86% smaller than their rivals, marking a substantial breakthrough in the industry.

The Plural Nano ADCs come in two variants: a 3.4x3.4 mm package for 12-bit and 14-bit single channel, and a 3.7x3.7 mm package for 14-bit and 16-bit dual channel. These devices are designed to address the stringent board space limitations of the Edge AI market, offering resolutions ranging from 12 to 16 bits and sample rates from 5 to 250 Msps. The company claims that these new ADCs can reduce the footprint of competing devices greater than 125 Msps by 83% and 86%, and for those with a 5 to 125 Msps sample rate, the reduction is 45% and 54%.

The Plural Nano ADCs are part of the company's broader Plural ADC platform, which combines a pipeline ADC core with on-chip reference and clock management circuitry, supporting LVDS and CMOS outputs. These devices operate within an operational temperature range of -40 to +85°C, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. At launch, 90 different SKUs will be available, all with the same feature sets and performance as their full-sized Plural equivalents. Additional resolutions and features are expected to be announced later this year.

Silanna's approach to ADC manufacturing is unique, utilizing a factory-configurable architecture that allows for the production of multiple SKUs from a single chip design. This method significantly reduces costs and lead times compared to traditional manufacturing processes, which require separate mask sets and production runs for each SKU. The company claims that this approach not only lowers prices but also eliminates the need for niche, unprofitable end-of-life SKUs.

Founded in 2006, Silanna is privately funded and operates from facilities in Brisbane and San Diego, CA. The company's product line extends beyond ADCs, including FirePower™ laser drivers and UVC LEDs, which are used in various applications such as water quality sensors, gas sensors, HPLC, and disinfection. The company's UVC LEDs are being commercialized at shorter wavelengths, including 255 and 230 nm, making them effective for chemical-free disinfection.