New family of direct digital synthesizers offers higher speed and lower power dissipation

Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

Microwave semiconductor & tube suppliers

Radio system suppliers

RF module & subsystem suppliers

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12 March 2003 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

Analog Devices has expanded the company's portfolio of radio frequency (RF) ICs with a new family of direct digital synthesizers (DDS). According to the company the new chips deliver a 400 MHz clock speed at one-tenth the power consumption of previous solutions.

This enables designers to use DDS for fast frequency hopping at higher output frequencies in more power-sensitive applications. DDS, which is the technique of digitally creating and manipulating sine waves - or other continuous wave forms - in the digital domain, is the preferred technology for applications requiring superior digital frequency agility, output phase control, and excellent phase noise performance. Typical applications include satellite communications, broadband networking, radar, test and measurement, and instrumentation.

The new DDS devices clock at 400 MSPS and synthesize frequencies up to 160 MHz while dissipating less than 200 mW of power. Previous DDS chips of comparable resolution could only synthesize frequencies up to 120 MHz and dissipated 2 W of power, says ADI. This means designers can use multiple chips on a single PCB with less concern for thermal issues. Additional features of the family include an integrated 14-bit digital-to-analog converter, on-chip random access memory (RAM), phase offset and amplitude control, and multichip synchronisation.

"Designers of radar systems and shaped FSK (frequency-shift keying) communications applications now have increased flexibility and the ability to enhance accuracy, tuning and phase control by using the automatic linear and non-linear frequency sweeping capabilities of these chips," said Kevin Kattmann, product line director for High-Speed Converters, Analog Devices. "This combination of breakthrough speed and power dissipation will extend the attributes of DDS into many new applications that were previously bound by the limitations of traditional analog synthesis technology."

The DDS family comprises four new 14-bit devices with various added benefits. The feature sets were selected to allow designers to purchase only the functionality needed for the desired application. They are:

* AD9951: Basic DDS with on-board 14-bit DAC.

* AD9952: with high-speed comparator.

* AD9953: with RAM (allows nonlinear phase/frequency sweeping).

* AD9954: with high-speed comparator, RAM, and automatic linear frequency sweep.

For more information contact Analog Data Products SA, 011 259 9400.

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New family of direct digital synthesizers offers higher speed and lower power dissipation

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