The AD9271 analog front end (AFE) by Analog Devices, Norwood, MA, replaces previous multichip discrete processors and their associated requirements. Applications include cart-based and portable ultrasound equipment. A single IC combines a low-noise amplifier, variable-gain amplifier, anti-aliasing filter (AAF), and a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The device operates on a 1.8-V supply, consuming only 150 mW/channel at 50 mega samples/sec. The AD9721 lets designers boost the channel count and image quality of ultrasound equipment without increasing its size or power consumption.