Analog boosts RF profile with direct conversion receivers

Analog Devices Inc. continues to expand its RF product portfolio, adding a new quadrature demodulator and dual gain trim amplifier for direct conversion receivers in next-generation cellular 3G/4G and broadband wireless 802.16 applications. According to the company, the ADL5380 demodulator is the industry's first product capable of operating from 400MHz to 6GHz, which allows radio designers to apply the same device across a range of products and frequency variants. The companion AD8366 is the industry's first dual-channel digital gain trim amplifier (DGTA) and is designed to enable, integrate and cost reduce direct conversion radio receivers, claims Analog. The combined two-chip solution, says the company can reduce the active component count by 60 percent within a radio design.

"Analog Devices new demodulator and dual channel amplifier further expands ADI's leadership in high-performance, highly integrated RF ICs," said Peter Real, vice president, Analog Devices. "Providing utmost flexibility, integration and high linearity enables our customers to design and implement the most cost-effective wireless infrastructure direct conversion receivers for a variety of radio platforms, from single standard radios, such as WiMAX to more complex multistandard radios, such as W-CDMA, LTE, and multi carrier GSM. By offering wide operating frequency range and signal bandwidth support, our customers are able to standardize on a solution across multiple platforms and projects. "

Slew of specifications
The ADL5380 covers the RF frequency range of 400MHz to 6GHz, offering the industry's highest dynamic range with the highest linearity specifications, exemplified by second- and third-order intercept point specifications of 31dBm and 60dBm respectively at 2500MHz, says Analog. Combining best-in-class linearity specifications with the ability to handle the highest of interference signals and minimal noise contributions ensures the highest receiver dynamic range is maintained, under complex, realistic interfering situations, a critical requirement for direct conversion receivers. In addition to high linearity, the ADL5380 provides typical 3-4dB of conversion gain, helping to minimize the gain requirements of the receiver front end.

Meanwhile, the AD8366 is the industry's first dual-channel digitally controlled gain trim amplifier with 0.25dB step over 4.5-20.5dB gain range, claims Analog. The AD8366 is suited for analog I/Q quadrature ADC driving, maintaining excellent quadrature accuracy for direct conversion radio receivers. The fine gain control allows flexible and precise tuning of gain-critical to multistandard and wideband radio receivers. Additionally, the AD8366 features include adjustable output common mode for matching to ADC input ranges, and DC output offset correction loops to minimize demodulator DC offsets. The AD8366 is fully specified for direct conversion receiver designs capable of handling the widest of signal bandwidths with the lowest distortion. For example, the AD8366 supports the second and third harmonic distortion >88dBc for 10MHz signals at max gain.

The ADL5380 demodulator is available in a 24-lead 4mm x 4mm LFCSP package and priced at $5.22 per unit in 1,000-unit quantities. The AD8366 DGTA is available in a 32-lead 5mm x 5mm LFCSP package and is priced at $6.49 per unit in 1,000-unit quantities.