Synthesiser enables performance in GSPS data converter solutions
Analog Devices (ADI) has introduced an 800MHz to 12.8GHz synthesiser for high performance wideband data converter and synchronisation applications.
The ADF4377 synthesiser offers signal-to-noise performance by providing a clean clock source to drive the signal sampling process. This allows next generation wideband receivers and transmitters to utilise higher levels of dynamic range, which leads to greater receiver sensitivity and transmitter spectral purity.
The performance is achieved by the ADF4377 synthesiser, which delivers jitter levels below 18fs rms because of the low normalised in-band phase noise at -239dBc/Hz, -147dBc/Hz normalised 1/f noise and a wideband voltage control oscillator (VCO) noise floor of -160dBc/Hz.
The ADF4377 synthesiser is suitable for applications such as radar, instrumentation, and wideband receivers requiring multiple data converters or mixed-signal front end (MxFE) digitisers that operate together. ADI claimed it simplifies the alignment and calibration routines by allowing groups of data converters to sample their signals in precise alignment with each other. This is fundamental to the operation of next generation wideband multi-channel systems and is achieved by implementing automatic reference to output synchronisation, well-matched reference to output delays across process (3ps part to part), voltage, and temperature (0.03ps/ degree C) and sub-ps, jitter- free reference to output delay adjustment capability (+/- 0.1ps).
These features allow precise multi-chip clock and SYSREF alignment. JESD204B and JESD204C subclass 1 solutions are supported by pairing the ADF4377 synthesiser with an IC that distributes pairs of reference and SYSREF signals. The ADF4377 integrates all necessary power supply bypass capacitors, saving board space on compact boards.
The ADF377 operates an output frequency range of 800MHz to 12.8GHz, jitter is 18fs rms (Integration bandwidth: 100Hz to 100MHz) and it has a wideband noise floor of -160dBc/Hz at 12GHz.
The PLL specifications are: -239dBc/Hz: normalised in-band phase noise floor; -147dBc/Hz: normalised in-band 1/f noise; and phase detector frequency up to 500MHz.
Output delay specifications are: part-to-part standard deviation of 3ps; temperature drift of 0.03ps/ degrees C; and multi-chip output phase alignment.
ADI offers analogue and mixed signal, power management, radio frequency (RF), and digital and sensor technologies. It serves 125,000 customers worldwide with more than 75,000 products in the industrial, communications, automotive and consumer markets. ADI is headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA.
