AD736 Low Cost, Low Power, True RMS-to-DC Converter

The AD736 is a low power, precision, monolithic true rms-to-dc converter. It is laser trimmed to provide a maximum error of ±0.3 mV ± 0.3% of reading with sine wave inputs. Furthermore, it maintains high accuracy while measuring a wide range of input waveforms, including variable duty-cycle pulses and triac (phase)-controlled sine waves. The low cost and small size of this converter make it suitable for upgrading the performance of non-rms precision rectifiers in many applications. Compared to these circuits, the AD736 offers higher accuracy at an equal or lower cost. The AD736 is capable of computing the average rectified value, absolute value, or true rms value of various input signals. Only one external component, an averaging capacitor, is required for the AD736 to perform true rms measurement. The low power consumption of 1 mW makes the AD736 suitable for many battery-powered applications. A high input impedance of 1012 Ω eliminates the need for an external buffer when interfacing with input attenuators. A low impedance input is available for those applications that require an input signal up to 300 mV rms operating from low power supply voltages.

The AD736 can compute the rms value of both ac and dc input voltages. It can also be operated as an ac-coupled device by adding one external capacitor. In this mode, the AD736 can resolve input signal levels of 100 μV rms or less, despite variations in temperature or supply voltage. High accuracy is also maintained for input waveforms with crest factors of 1 to 3. In addition, crest factors as high as 5 can be measured (introducing only 2.5% additional error) at the 200 mV full-scale input level.

The AD736 has its own output buffer amplifier, thereby pro-viding a great deal of design flexibility. Requiring only 200 μA of power supply current, the AD736 is optimized for use in portable multimeters and other battery-powered applications.

The AD736 allows the choice of two signal input terminals: a high impedance FET input (1012 Ω) that directly interfaces with High-Z input attenuators and a low impedance input (8 kΩ) that allows the measurement of 300 mV input levels while operating from the minimum power supply voltage of +2.8 V, −3.2 V. The two inputs can be used either single ended or differentially.

The AD736 has a 1% reading error bandwidth that exceeds 10 kHz for the input amplitudes from 20 mV rms to 200 mV rms while consuming only 1 mW.

The AD736 is available in four performance grades. The AD736J and AD736K grades are rated over the 0°C to +70°C and −20°C to +85°C commercial temperature ranges. The AD736A and AD736B grades are rated over the −40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range. The AD736 is available in three low cost, 8-lead packages: PDIP, SOIC, and CERDIP.

Product Highlights
  • The AD736 is capable of computing the average rectified value, absolute value, or true rms value of various input signals.
  • Only one external component, an averaging capacitor, is required for the AD736 to perform true rms measurement.
  • The low power consumption of 1 mW makes the AD736 suitable for many battery-powered applications.
  • A high input impedance of 1012 Ω eliminates the need for an external buffer when interfacing with input attenuators.
  • A low impedance input is available for those applications that require an input signal up to 300 mV rms operating from low power supply voltages.

Data Sheet, Rev. I, 12/12

Features and Benefits
  • Converts an ac voltage waveform to a dc voltage and then converts to the true rms, average rectified, or absolute value 200 mV rms full-scale input range (larger inputs with input attenuator)
  • High input impedance: 1012 Ω
  • Low input bias current: 25 pA maximum
  • High accuracy: ±0.3 mV ± 0.3% of reading
  • RMS conversion with signal crest factors up to 5
  • Wide power supply range: +2.8 V, −3.2 V to ±16.5 V
  • Low power: 200 μA maximum supply current
  • Buffered voltage output
  • No external trims needed for specified accuracy
  • Related device: the AD737 features a power-down control with standby current of only 25 μA; the dc output voltage is negative and the output impedance is 8 kΩ
Linear Products
SPICE Models
Data Sheets
Documentnote
AD736: Low Cost, Low Power, True RMS-to-DC Converter Data Sheet (Rev. I)PDF 572 kB
Application Notes
Documentnote
AN-653: Improving Temperature, Stability, and Linearity of High Dynamic Range RMS RF Power Detectors (Rev. A)PDF 415 kB
AN-269: Extend RMS-to-DC Converter's RangePDF 91 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
AD736AQ Production8 ld CerDIPOTH 48-40 to 85C9.989.03N
AD736ARZ Production8 ld SOICOTH 98-40 to 85C5.234.72Y
AD736ARZ-R7 Production8 ld SOICREEL 1000-40 to 85C04.72Y
AD736ARZ-RL Production8 ld SOICREEL 2500-40 to 85C04.72Y
AD736BQ Production8 ld CerDIPOTH 48-40 to 85C11.9610.82N
AD736BRZ Production8 ld SOICOTH 98-40 to 85C9.328.42Y
AD736BRZ-R7 Production8 ld SOICREEL 1000-40 to 85C08.42Y
AD736JNZ Production8 ld PDIPOTH 500 to 70C5.745.18Y
AD736JRZ Production8 ld SOICOTH 980 to 70C5.234.72Y
AD736JRZ-R7 Production8 ld SOICREEL 10000 to 70C04.72Y
AD736JRZ-RL Production8 ld SOICREEL 25000 to 70C04.72Y
AD736KNZ Production8 ld PDIPOTH 500 to 70C9.768.81Y
AD736KRZ Production8 ld SOICOTH 980 to 70C9.88.87Y
AD736KRZ-R7 Production8 ld SOICREEL 10000 to 70C9.88.87Y
AD736KRZ-RL Production8 ld SOICREEL 25000 to 70C08.87Y
Evaluation Boards
Part NumberDescriptionPriceRoHS
AD736-EVALZEvaluation Board106.21Y
AD736: Low Cost, Low Power, True RMS-to-DC Converter Data Sheet (Rev. I) ad736
AD736 SPICE Macro Model ad736
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-269: Extend RMS-to-DC Converter's Range ad736
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