Mixed-signal front-ends for wireless applications

The two versatile RF converter platforms combine high-performance analogue and digital signal processing for wireless applications, including 4G LTE and 5G millimetre-wave (mmWave) radios as well as phased array radar systems and electronic defence applications.

The AD9081 is a reconfigurable, highly integrated RF MxFE that incorporates four 16-bit, 12 GSPS digital-to-analog (DAC) cores and four 12-bit, 4 GSPS analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) cores.

Eight transmit and eight receive lanes provide 24.75 Gbps/lane at JESD204C, or 15.5 Gbps/lane at JESD204B.

The device is available in two models: the 4D4AC model supports full instantaneous channel bandwidth, and the 4D4AB model provides maximum fast bandwidth at 600 MHz per channel, with automatic configuration of the digital signal processor (DSP) to limit bandwidth at startup.

The AD9082 MxFE integrates four 16-bit, 12 GSPS DAC cores and two 12-bit, 6 GSPS ADC cores, with support for eight transmit and eight receive lanes, providing 24.75 Gbps/lane (JESD204C) or 15.5 Gbps/lane (JESD204B).

It is also available in two models — the 4D2AC model, which supports four DACs and two ADCs, and the 2D2AC model, which supports two DACs and two ADCs.

Both MxFEs feature an on-chip clock multiplier and DSP and offer a bypass mode to allow the ADC or DAC cores’ full bandwidth capability to bypass DSP data paths.

The AD9801 and AD9802 are supported by the AD9081-FMCA-EBZ and AD9082-FMCA-EBZ evaluation boards, respectively, which include all support circuitry required to operate the MxFEs in various modes and configurations.

These evaluation boards connect to the ADI ADS9-V2EBZ or the ADS8-V3EBZ (sold separately) for evaluation with the ADI Analysis | Control | Evaluation (ACE) software, and can also interface with FPGA development boards from Xilinx or Intel.

The devices are available now from Mouser in the EMEA, Americas and Asia-Pacific regions.