HiSilicon Unveils AC9610 ADC Challenging TI and ADI in High-Performance Market

A Breakthrough in Analog-to-Digital Conversion

The high-performance ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) market has long been dominated by Texas Instruments (TI) and Analog Devices Inc. (ADI). For years, their grip on high-speed, high-resolution ADCs seemed unshakable—until now. Huawei’s semiconductor arm, HiSilicon, has unveiled the AC9610, a 24-bit, 2MSPS (Mega Samples Per Second) SAR ADC. This marks a pivotal moment not just for China’s semiconductor ambitions but for the global electronics industry.

This launch signals the rise of a formidable competitor in an industry where precision, speed, and reliability dictate market leadership. The AC9610 is not just another ADC—it represents a technological leap that could shift the competitive balance in key sectors such as medical imaging, industrial automation, and high-end instrumentation.

Technical Edge: What Makes the AC9610 a Game-Changer?

HiSilicon’s AC9610 is a SAR (Successive Approximation Register) ADC, designed to offer both high precision and high speed—an achievement that has traditionally been challenging. Here’s why it stands out:

24-bit resolution at 2MSPS: Most SAR ADCs sacrifice speed for precision, or vice versa. The AC9610 balances both, offering an unprecedented combination that challenges leading products from TI and ADI.
Ultra-low INL (Integral Non-Linearity) of ±0.9ppm: Ensuring accuracy in high-precision applications, critical for fields like medical diagnostics and industrial measurement.
High signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 103.5dBFS at 2MSPS, reaching 138dBFS at lower speeds: A critical factor for distinguishing weak signals in noisy environments.
Operational temperature range of -40°C to 125°C: Ensuring reliability across diverse industrial applications.

This level of performance positions AC9610 among the best ADCs available globally, potentially disrupting the entrenched dominance of TI and ADI in this space.

Market Impact: Breaking a Decades-Long Duopoly

For years, TI and ADI have held over 90% of the high-performance ADC market, particularly in sectors requiring precise signal conversion such as:

Medical imaging (CT scans, MRI machines, and patient monitoring systems)
High-end industrial automation (robotics, smart manufacturing, and semiconductor production equipment)
Precision measurement instruments (electronic test equipment, spectroscopy, and seismic analysis)
Automotive and LiDAR systems (advanced driver assistance systems, self-driving technology)

Until recently, Chinese ADCs have primarily been focused on lower-end, mid-resolution segments (8-bit, 12-bit, and 16-bit ADCs), with limited penetration into the high-end market. The AC9610 changes this landscape.

Competitive Benchmarking:

Against ADI’s AD4630-24: The AC9610 matches the 24-bit, 2MSPS benchmark while offering comparable noise performance and linearity.
Against TI’s top SAR ADCs: Texas Instruments’ highest-performing 24-bit ADC peaks at 1.365MSPS, meaning the AC9610 exceeds it in speed.
Price Competitiveness: While pricing details remain undisclosed, Chinese semiconductor firms have historically leveraged aggressive pricing strategies to penetrate global markets.

With performance parity—and in some cases, superiority—the AC9610 could force global OEMs to reconsider their supplier mix, particularly given ongoing concerns about semiconductor supply chain resilience.

Geopolitical and Supply Chain Implications

The launch of the AC9610 is not just a technical milestone—it is a strategic play in the broader context of semiconductor self-sufficiency. The U.S. and its allies have tightened export controls on high-performance semiconductors, and ADCs with certain specifications are among the restricted items.

China’s push for domestic alternatives has accelerated in recent years, with state-backed investments fueling semiconductor R&D. The AC9610 could serve as a catalyst for further domestic innovation in high-end analog components, reducing reliance on Western suppliers.

For global electronics manufacturers, this development presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While companies may welcome additional competition to lower component costs, they must also navigate potential geopolitical risks associated with sourcing from Chinese semiconductor firms.

Investment Perspective: What Comes Next?

For HiSilicon and Chinese Semiconductor Firms:

If the AC9610 gains traction in critical applications, expect rapid expansion into adjacent high-performance ADCs, including higher-speed SAR ADCs and low-power delta-sigma ADCs.
Increased R&D and patent filings in the ADC space, signaling long-term commitment to high-end analog ICs.

For TI and ADI:

Expect accelerated innovation cycles and potential price adjustments to defend market share.
Potential supply chain diversification by U.S. and European firms to mitigate competitive risks.
Continued lobbying for tighter export controls on high-performance ADCs and mixed-signal chips.

For Investors:

China’s semiconductor push is no longer limited to digital logic chips—it is now expanding aggressively into high-precision analog components.
Watch for signs of early adoption in sectors like medical imaging and industrial automation.
Potential growth in China’s semiconductor ecosystem, benefitting not just HiSilicon but also domestic competitors like Chipsea, SG Micro, and Nexchip.

A Shift in the Semiconductor Landscape?

The AC9610 is more than just another semiconductor product—it is a sign that China’s analog chip sector is maturing and catching up to international leaders. While it remains to be seen whether HiSilicon can scale production and maintain high yields, this breakthrough ADC is a warning shot to TI and ADI: the era of uncontested dominance in high-performance ADCs may be coming to an end.

As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, the AC9610 is a reminder that innovation is not confined to established Western giants. Whether this disrupts the global ADC market or merely serves as a stepping stone for future advancements, one thing is certain—competition in high-precision analog semiconductors just got a lot more interesting.

HiSilicon Unveils AC9610 ADC Challenging TI and ADI in High-Performance Market