Hello, i was very happy a couple of days ago when i finished assembling a balanced to toslink ADC based on the new ES9826q. The objective is very low cost, hardware mode, usable to measure the frequency response of my diy amps (have added voltage divider resistors to the input) and toslink output to be electrical isolated from my audio card for peace of mind.
Today was testing day, and it didn't work. After re-reading the datasheet, rechecking my schematics, resoldering the chip 3 or 4 times (not an easy feat, it is a 5x5mm 28QFN package)... turns out that the reference schematic of the datasheet is wrong. Both of them. They leave AVCC not connected
(pin 17 picture below) and me, like stupid, didn't realize when drafting the board....
No surprises, ESS datasheets are plagued with errors, but i am still very irritated. The current revision is from April 2023 and still not corrected.
Anyways, connected a jumper between pin 20 (AVDD) and pin 17 and the board works as intended. But i really dislike this solution. The jumper is enameled but goes dangerously close to the oscillator, and makes cleaning the board a precision job.
Now, the question is. Leave like this, or make a new PCB? The wire i use is 0.1mm diameter enameled wire from Adafruit. (https://www.adafruit.com/product/3522#technical-details). Not disclosed if 0.1mm is internal or external diameter, but i guess doesn't make a big difference. The current consumption on this pin according to the datasheet is 4.3 mA, so i guess the wire is thick enough. The routing on top of the oscillator is definitely not ideal, but is it a big deal?
Anyways, still think it is a very interesting chip to tinker. But don't make the same mistake i made. Will plan to measure it soon, will post my findings in this thread if interested.
Today was testing day, and it didn't work. After re-reading the datasheet, rechecking my schematics, resoldering the chip 3 or 4 times (not an easy feat, it is a 5x5mm 28QFN package)... turns out that the reference schematic of the datasheet is wrong. Both of them. They leave AVCC not connected

No surprises, ESS datasheets are plagued with errors, but i am still very irritated. The current revision is from April 2023 and still not corrected.
Anyways, connected a jumper between pin 20 (AVDD) and pin 17 and the board works as intended. But i really dislike this solution. The jumper is enameled but goes dangerously close to the oscillator, and makes cleaning the board a precision job.
Now, the question is. Leave like this, or make a new PCB? The wire i use is 0.1mm diameter enameled wire from Adafruit. (https://www.adafruit.com/product/3522#technical-details). Not disclosed if 0.1mm is internal or external diameter, but i guess doesn't make a big difference. The current consumption on this pin according to the datasheet is 4.3 mA, so i guess the wire is thick enough. The routing on top of the oscillator is definitely not ideal, but is it a big deal?
Anyways, still think it is a very interesting chip to tinker. But don't make the same mistake i made. Will plan to measure it soon, will post my findings in this thread if interested.