AD8338ACPZ-R7 - 80dB Gain Range 18MHz VGA | Analog Devices
MPN: AD8338ACPZ-R7 β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1 | $1.00 |
| 10 | $1 | $10.00 |
| 100 | $1 | $100.00 |
| 500 | $1 | $500.00 |
| 1,000 | $1 | $1,000.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for AD8338ACPZ-R7 β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
AD8338ACPZ
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD8338ACPZ-R7
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$1 / Unit
View Datasheet βAD8330ACPZ-RL
β‘ Same Packageπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD8475ACPZ-WP
β‘ Same Packageπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD8338ACPZ-R7 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Function | Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA) |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Gain Range | 80 dB |
| Bandwidth | 18 MHz |
| Supply Voltage | Single 5 V |
| Input Type | Differential (single-ended capable) |
| Output Type | Differential |
| Gain Control | Voltage-controlled, linear-in-dB |
| Power-Down Mode | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (A grade) |
| Package | 16-LFCSP (3x3 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| RoHS Status | RoHS3 Compliant |
| REACH Status | Unaffected |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (R7) |
AD8338ACPZ-R7 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | INHI β Differential input, high side |
| Pin 2 | INLO β Differential input, low side |
| Pin 3 | GAIN β Gain control voltage input (linear-in-dB) |
| Pin 4 | VOCM β Output common-mode voltage |
| Pin 5 | OUTH β Differential output, high side |
| Pin 6 | OUTL β Differential output, low side |
| Pin 7 | PD β Power-down control |
| Pin 8 | VPOS β Positive supply (5V) |
| Pin 9 | GND β Ground |
Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics
No official SOA curve available for this component. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.
Typical Applications
AD8338ACPZ-R7 is suitable for 6 applications: Ultrasound Imaging TGC, AGC Communication Receivers, Radar and Sonar Receivers, Industrial Instrumentation Front Ends, Portable and Battery-Powered Signal Chains, Test and Measurement Signal Conditioning.
Ultrasound Imaging TGC
The AD8338's linear-in-dB gain control and 80 dB range directly match ultrasound time-gain compensation, where echoes from deeper tissue arrive tens of dB weaker than near-field returns. Its 18 MHz bandwidth covers harmonic imaging bands, and the fully differential input rejects cable-borne common-mode noise from the transducer front end. Placed between the transducer LNA/mixer and the ADC driver, the GAIN pin is driven by a time-synchronized ramp; the 5V single supply and low power draw suit portable and battery-powered probe designs where thermal budget is tight.
Recommended
AGC Communication Receivers
In superheterodyne or zero-IF receivers, received signal strength can swing over 80 dB, swamping the ADC. The AD8338 sits in the IF chain where an AGC loop measures output level and adjusts the GAIN voltage, compressing dynamic range to the converter's full scale. Its well-defined gain-versus-control-voltage law simplifies AGC loop design, while 18 MHz bandwidth supports IF frequencies up to that range. The power-down pin allows receiver duty cycling in burst-mode radios, cutting average supply current in low-duty-cycle links.
Recommended
Radar and Sonar Receivers
Pulse-echo radar and sonar share ultrasound's dynamic-range problem: strong transmit leakage and near targets coexist with weak distant echoes. The AD8338 provides time-varying gain across its 80 dB span during the receive window, preserving small-signal resolution without saturating on large returns. Its differential architecture minimizes even-order distortion that would fold clutter into the signal band, and 18 MHz bandwidth supports baseband or low-IF stages. The 3x3 mm LFCSP fits compact phased-array module PCBs.
Recommended
Industrial Instrumentation Front Ends
Sensors such as ultrasonic flow meters, eddy-current probes, and vibration pickups produce outputs spanning wide amplitude ranges. The AD8338 lets firmware sweep gain via a DAC-driven GAIN pin, enabling auto-ranging measurements without relay-switched attenuators. The 5V single-supply operation and low quiescent power suit loop-powered and compact industrial modules, while the fully differential path rejects ground noise common in factory environments. Power-down mode permits periodic measurement schemes that conserve energy in wireless sensor nodes.
Recommended
Portable and Battery-Powered Signal Chains
For handheld analyzers and wearable sensing products, the AD8338's low power operation and power-down pin reduce average battery drain. Single 5V operation - achievable from a boost converter or 5V rail - removes dual-supply complexity, shrinking BOM cost and PCB area. The 3x3 mm 16-LFCSP package minimizes footprint in dense portable layouts, and its low noise preserves signal fidelity for small sensors like microphones and piezo elements. The well-defined gain law lets a microcontroller calibrate sensitivity in software.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Signal Conditioning
Bench instruments and automated test equipment need programmable gain stages that are linear, repeatable, and quiet. The AD8338's defined gain-versus-control-voltage characteristic allows a DAC to set precise amplifier gain, and its 18 MHz bandwidth covers audio through low-RF measurements. Differential output drives ADC buffers directly, improving CMR across cable runs. Using the power-down pin between measurement bursts lowers self-heating, which stabilizes offset and gain over long unattended test sequences.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for AD8338ACPZ-R7 β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | AD8330ACPZ-RL | AD8475ACPZ-WP | AD8331ARQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-LFCSP (3x3 mm) | 16-LFCSP | 16-LFCSP | QSOP-16 |
| Brand | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices |
| Function | Voltage-controlled VGA | Voltage-controlled VGA | Fixed-gain differential amplifier | Dual-channel VGA |
| Gain Control | Voltage, linear-in-dB, 80 dB range | Voltage-controlled, wide span | Pin-selectable fixed gain (0.5x/1x) | Voltage-controlled (2 channels) |
| Pin Compatibility | Reference (16-LFCSP) | Not pin-compatible | Not pin-compatible | Not pin-compatible (different package) |
| Supply | Single 5 V | Single 5 V | 3 V to 5 V single supply | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Bandwidth | 18 MHz | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] | [DATA_NEEDED] |
| Typical Application | Ultrasound TGC, AGC receivers | AGC / wide dynamic range IF | ADC driving, static gain | Dual-channel ultrasound front end |
Key Differentiators
- Voltage-controlled 80 dB gain range in a 3x3 mm package (vs AD8475ACPZ-WP)
- Single-ended or differential input flexibility (vs AD8330ACPZ-RL)
- Lower channel count / lower power for portable designs (vs AD8331ARQ)
Design Notes
Decouple VPOS with 0.1uF ceramic directly at the pin plus 10uF bulk. The 16-LFCSP has an exposed pad that serves as both thermal and ground connection - solder it to a grounded pad array of at least 3x3 vias on the PCB. Poor exposed-pad soldering is the most common cause of degraded performance in LFCSP VGAs.
Noise on the GAIN pin converts directly to output amplitude modulation due to the linear-in-dB law. Drive GAIN from a low-impedance DAC output or buffer, and add an RC filter (e.g., 1k ohm / 0.1uF) to limit control-line noise bandwidth. Keep the GAIN trace short and away from output routing to prevent feedthrough.
Although inputs are differential, single-ended drive is supported - but match source impedances at INHI/INLO to preserve CMRR and gain accuracy. Do not leave the PD (power-down) pin floating; tie it to the correct logic level for normal operation. Verify that the GAIN control voltage stays within datasheet limits across temperature.
Compliance Information
RoHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected per PartGenie compliance notes; MSL 3 (168 hours).
