Nicslab XEIC Multichannel DAC/ADC Controller with Single SPI Interface
Controller IC that manages one DAC and two ADCs over a single upstream SPI bus for 16 control and 16 measurement channels.
- Voltage Control Channels
- 16 channels
- Voltage Measurement Channels
- 16 channels (simultaneous)
- Total channels managed
- 32 channels (16 control + 16 simultaneous measurement)
- Voltage Sensing Resolution
- 16 bit
Overview
The Nicslab XEIC is a controller that manages one DAC and two ADCs internally in parallel through a single upstream SPI bus to the host controller. It is intended for systems that need multichannel voltage control and measurement without routing a separate SPI connection to each converter.
The integration problem
Managing multiple DACs and ADCs normally requires complex SPI routing, more host-controller pins and additional firmware to keep the converters operating in sync. XEIC consolidates three separate SPI device connections into one SPI bus, which the manufacturer states reduces host controller pin usage by up to 67% while supporting 32 channels of control and measurement.
Measurement and expansion
The device provides 16-bit voltage sensing across 16 channels with simultaneous acquisition, alongside 16 voltage control channels. Because all converters sit behind one SPI bus, channel count can be expanded with minimal interface redesign as a system scales. An optional Analog Front End (AFE) is available for extended interfacing to the device under test (DUT).
Key Features
- Single upstream SPI interface to the host controller for one DAC and two ADCs
- 16 voltage control channels
- 16 voltage measurement channels with simultaneous acquisition
- 16-bit voltage sensing
- Converters managed internally in parallel
- Uses 4 host pins (SCLK, MOSI, MISO, CS) instead of ~12+ for three separate SPI buses
- Up to ~67% fewer host controller pins
- Flexible channel expansion on a single SPI bus with minimal interface redesign
- Optional Analog Front End (AFE) for extended interfacing to the DUT
Specifications
| Voltage Control Channels | 16 channels |
|---|---|
| Voltage Measurement Channels | 16 channels (simultaneous) |
| Total channels managed | 32 channels (16 control + 16 simultaneous measurement) |
| Voltage Sensing Resolution | 16 bit |
| Host Interface | Single upstream SPI bus |
|---|---|
| Host controller pins |
4 pins (SCLK, MOSI, MISO, CS)
Estimated; compared with ~12+ pins for 3 separate SPI buses
|
| Host pin reduction |
Up to ~67% fewer
Estimated
|
| Internal Converters Managed | 1× DAC, 2× ADCs |
|---|---|
| Optional Add-On | Analog Front End (AFE) for extended interfacing to Device Under Test (DUT) |
Applications
- Multichannel voltage control and measurement
- Photonic device control
- DAC and ADC SPI routing simplification
- Scalable control system development
Options & Accessories
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| AFE | Analog Front End — Optional add-on for extended interfacing to the Device Under Test (DUT) |