RF/IF VGAs
27 October 2010
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
Analog Devices has introduced a new series of highly integrated RF/IF variable gain amplifiers (VGAs).
The ADL5201, ADL5202, ADL5240 and ADL5243 combine up to four discrete RF/IF blocks into a single device, allowing radio system manufacturers to realise a reduction in component count and savings in bill of materials cost. The devices’ combination of performance, linearity and flexibility make them well suited for demanding applications such as cellular base stations, industrial/instrumentation and defence equipment.
The ADL5201 and its dual version, the ADL5202, are digitally controlled, IF variable gain amplifiers designed to support high IF sampling receiver designs that require precise gain control, high IP3 and a low noise figure for new broadband radio designs. The new VGAs combine high dynamic range with low distortion and noise figures for IF frequencies up to 400 MHz. They incorporate proprietary distortion cancellation techniques that enable them to achieve high linearity at more than 47 dBm output IP3 and noise figure of 6 dB. The ADL5201 and ADL5202 provide gain control range of 31,5 dB with 0,5 dB resolution and are capable of supporting serial and parallel interface modes.

Operating in the 100 MHz to 4000 MHz frequency range, the ADL5240 and ADL5243 RF/IF digitally controlled VGAs offer elevated gain control performance and accuracy. Designed with GaAs technology, the ADL5240 combines a DSA (digital step attenuator), while the ADL5243 combines a DSA, a gain block and a broadband ½ W driver amplifier. Either the amplifier or the DSA can be first in the signal chain, providing flexibility by allowing the VGA to be used in multiple places throughout a design. The DSA in each VGA offers a gain control range of 31,5 dB in 0,5 dB steps, and accommodates serial and parallel interface modes, while the gain block in each VGA offers a high linearity of greater than 40 dBm and noise figure of 2,9 at 900 MHz. The ADL5243’s ¼ W driver offers linearity performance of 42,0 dBm with 25,7 dBm P1dB at 2,14 GHz.
For more information contact Stella Homan, Avnet Kopp, +27 (0)11 809 6100, [email protected], www.avnet.co.za
Further reading:
Dual-range IMU with edge processing
EBV Electrolink
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
ST’s innovative LSM6DSV80X combines two accelerometer structures for 16 g and 80 g full-scale sensing, a gyroscope up 4000 dps, and embedded intelligence in a single component.
Read more...
High-reliability isolation amplifiers
EBV Electrolink
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
The VIA series of isolation amplifiers from Vishay are designed to deliver exceptional thermal stability and precise measurement capabilities.
Read more...
Mibbo QT2C Series signal isolators
Conical Technologies
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
The Mibbo QT2C Series isolators support a rich combination of input and output signals, working with either current loops or voltage levels.
Read more...
IMU with dual-sensing capability
EBV Electrolink
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
ST’s 6-axis inertial measurement unit integrates a dual accelerometer up to 320g and embedded AI for activity tracking and high-impact sensing.
Read more...
Plural data converter series
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
Silanna Semiconductor has announced the launch of Plural, a new generation of data converters for customers eager to find a more available, affordable, high-performance alternative to existing brands.
Read more...
Precision JFET op-amp
Altron Arrow
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
The specifications of the ADA4620 make it optimal as a front-end amplifier in a data-acquisition system, or for a TIA circuit with high input impedance.
Read more...
A new era in modular I/O solutions
Rugged Interconnect Technologies
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
Aerospace and defence system designers are demanding scalable and high-performance I/O solutions and while traditional mezzanine standards have proven reliable, they often fall short of meeting modern bandwidth, size, and flexibility requirements.
Read more...
High voltage instrument op-amp
iCorp Technologies
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
The SGM621B is a high accuracy, high voltage instrumentation amplifier, which is designed to set any gain from 1 to 10 000 with one external resistor.
Read more...
High-speed SAR ADC simplifies design
Altron Arrow
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
The ADI AD4080 simplifies data converter integration by integrating a low drift reference buffer, low dropout regulators and a 16K result data FIFO buffer.
Read more...
2-wire quad voltage output DAC
Altron Arrow
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
The DAC has a 2-wire serial interface that operates at clock rates up to 400 kHz, and this interface is SMBus compatible, allowing multiple devices to be placed on the same bus.
Read more...