Date: 20/08/2010

12-/10-bit mixed signal front ends from ADI for wireless and portable radio equipment

Analog Devices has introduced the AD9963/AD9961, 12-/10-bit mixed-signal front-ends (MxFEs), which ADI claims reduce power and board space for developers of wireless infrastructure and portable radio equipment. ADI also says that these MxFEs use 40 percent less power and 25 percent less printed-circuit board area than competing devices without sacrificing performance. These MxFEs are suggested for cost-sensitive wireless equipment, such as femtocell and picocell base stations that require highly integrated dual transmit-and-receive functions.

“For RF design engineers designing small-scale wireless communication equipment, Analog Devices’ new MxFEs reduce power and component count,” said Chris Jacobs, product line director, Analog Devices. “The low-power, highly integrated transmit-and- receive paths of our new front-end ICs help customers simplify their designs to meet aggressive cost targets while still providing industry-leading data converter dynamic range.”

The 12-/10-bit AD9963/AD9961 are pin-compatible, low-power MxFEs that each integrate two ADC (analog-to-digital converter) channels with sample rates to 100 MSPS (mega samples per second) and two DAC (digital-to-analog converter) channels with sample rates to 170 MSPS. ADI says that the new MxFEs enable up to 10 dB better ACLR (adjacent-channel leakage ratio) performance than competing devices, easing design and filtering requirements while consuming less power. These devices also interface digital interfaces with flexible clocking options. These MxFEs have five auxiliary analog channels consisting of two 12-bit DACs, two 10-bit DACs and a 12-bit ADC. The ADC may be used to measure and monitor multiple points, both internal and external. The transmit path is configurable for 1x, 2x, 4x and 8x interpolation, and the receive path includes a by-passable 2x decimating low-pass filter. The AD9963 also integrates auxiliary LDO (low dropout) voltage regulators that allow the device to be powered from a single-supply and further reduce external component count.

The key features of AD9963 and AD9961 MxFEs are:
--SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) = 66.5 dB
--ACLR (adjacent-channel leakage ratio) = 72 dBc
--Power = 425 mW at maximum sample rates
--Transmit path power consumption = less than 100 mW at 170 MSPS @ 1.8 V
--Receive path power consumption = less than 350 mW at 100 MSPS @ 1.8 V
--Sleep and power-down modes
--Supports full- and half-duplex data interfaces

The highly integrated MxFEs can be coupled with ADI’s ADF4602 3G multi-band transceiver, ADL5501 RMS power detector as well as RF amplifiers, such as the ADL5320, ADL5542 and ADL5601 products to create a complete femtocell radio.
Product Sample
Availability Resolution
(Bits) Power Price Each
Per 1,000 Packaging
AD9963 Now 12 425 mW $29.50 72-lead LFCSP
AD9961 Now 10 425 mW $25.75 72-lead LFCSP