Analog to Digital Converter

[Douglas Taylor]

On 8/15/2015 12:40 PM, tony duell wrote:
>> I have a number of laboratory instruments that are from the 1990 time
>> frame.  They produce digital data that is the digitized signal from a
>> detector, the data can be from 512 to 65K samples long.  The ADC used in
>> these instruments is a 16bit 100ksample/sec design.  The ADC is in a 3
>> by 4 inch metal box with a row of pins on each long edge.
> [...]
>
>> What is inside the box?  Is it a hybrid circuit?
> I came across somewhat similar looking ADC and DAC modules in an I2S image
> display system. These were flat metal cans with pins on the bottom, going into
> individual sockets on the PCB.
>
> In that case the can could be opened up quite easily (I think just a couple of points
> to unsolder. Inside was a PCB _stuffed_ with components, including several possibly
> custom metal-can ICs (in the case of the ADC I susect fast analogue comparators).
>
> Have you tried to open your module? It may not be potted.
>
> -tony

The ADC module is difficult to get at, the instrument it is in is very 
heavy and sealed against moisture.  I was hoping to get more of heads up 
before I go back in.