High Performance Receiver Subsystem from Linear Technology Bridges the Gap between RF & Digital Worlds

The LTM9001 is a semi-customizable IF/baseband receiver subsystem that includes a high performance 16-bit Analog-to-Digital converter (ADC) sampling up to 160Msps, an anti-aliasing filter, and fixed gain differential ADC driver. The LTM9001 harnesses years of applications design experience to offer integration, ease of use with guaranteed high performance to enhance system performance in many communications and instrumentation applications.

Sampling high dynamic range signals in RF applications requires extensive experience to maximize the full capabilities of the analog-to-digital converter. An intimate knowledge of the amplifier output stage and ADC front end is required to match the impedances, while careful attention to layout is required to minimize coupling of the digital outputs into the sensitive analog input. Degraded ADC performance can in many cases be attributed to bad layout. These considerations can challenge the engineer whose expertise lies in the RF or digital worlds. The LTM9001 transfers this burden of component selection, input impedance matching, filter design and layout from designer to device, shortening overall design time, system troubleshooting and ultimately improving time to market.

The beauty of the LTM9001 lies in its semi-customization (customization requires minimum order quantity). Using pin-compatible product families, the LTM9001 can be configured for various sampling rates and the differential ADC driver can be substituted for fixed gain versions ranging from 8dB up to 26dB. The anti-aliasing filters can also be configured as Low-Pass or Bandpass filter versions, accepting input frequencies as high as 300MHz.

The LTM9001 is packaged in a space-saving 11.25mm x 11.25mm LGA package, utilizing a multi-layer substrate that shields sensitive analog lines from the digital traces. The LGA pads are positioned on the bottom of the package so that input and clock signals are separated from the digital outputs, simplifying the layout for the designer. Bypass capacitance is placed inside the module and close to the die, providing a space, cost and, more significantly, a performance advantage over traditional packaging. With no external capacitance required, the LTM9001 consumes approximately half the space of the discrete implementation.