New Analog Devices Data Converter Increases Cellular Coverage and Redu

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors

    NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2005--

    - AD9445 analog-to-digital converter is optimized to capture weak signals in noisy environments while simplifying base station receiver
    design.

    Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI) continues to innovate in the field of data conversion by introducing a high-speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that extends key converter specifications to new levels. The AD9445 is the first 14-bit, 125-MSPS (mega-samples-per-second) ADC to achieve a spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) above 80 dBc and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 72.5 dBfs at input frequencies up to 300 MHz, better than competing solutions by a full 10 dB and 4 dB, respectively. A converter with high SFDR can capture weak signals in the frequency band of interest, despite the presence of strong, interfering signals. The industry-leading SNR characteristics of the AD9445 enable wireless infrastructure equipment designers to improve cellular base station receivers by offering lower overall system noise at higher intermediate frequencies, which translates to expanded cellular coverage and fewer dropped calls. Moreover, the combination of high input frequency and high sampling rate eliminates a frequency down-conversion step before the ADC and eases the analog filtering burden. Both of these elements offer significant cost savings to the wireless system designer.
    "The performance of a converter is measured in many dimensions, and in wireless infrastructure SNR and SFDR are key," said Kevin Kattmann, product line director in the High Speed Converter Group at Analog Devices. "Only by pushing the SNR, SFDR and sample rate of the AD9445 were we able to unlock a simplified analog filter topography that increases overall base station receiver performance while reducing cost, time and complexity."

    Unparalleled Spurious-Free Dynamic Range Performance and Aperture Jitter

    The high SFDR of the AD9445 ADC expands the dynamic range of wireless base station receivers, while improving quality of service and lowering component count and cost. The AD9445 also achieves an aperture jitter of 60 fs (femto seconds), compared to the 250-fs to 300-fs aperture jitter of competing ADCs, which is critical to maintaining SNR at high input frequencies. Aperture jitter is the sample-to-sample variation in aperture delay and a major contributor to overall system signal degradation.

    More about the AD9445

    The AD9445 extends ADI's family of high-speed, high-resolution ADCs that offer higher sample rates, ease-of-use and improved dynamic performance. This includes the recently introduced 14-bit, 80-MSPS AD9444 and the 16-bit, 100-MSPS AD9446, which Analog Devices also is introducing today.
    In addition to delivering greater than 80-dBc SFDR at a 300-MHz input frequency and 85-dBc SFDR at 225 MHz, the AD9445 provides high DC accuracy, with typical differential nonlinearity (DNL) of +/-0.2LSB and integral nonlinearity (INL) of +/-1.0 LSB. The ADC also features a flexible input range up to 3.2 Vp-p, allowing the user to achieve SNR performance as high as 78 dBfs, a full 6 dB better than any ADC of this class, while maintaining the state-of-the-art SFDR and IF sampling performance. The AD9445 also has an on-chip reference and track-and-hold, and parallel low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) outputs to ease the interface to digital down-converters.

    Applications

    The AD9445 is optimized for multi-carrier, multi-mode receivers such as those found in next-generation cellular infrastructure equipment. The device's high-resolution and outstanding performance also makes it suitable for antenna array positioning, power amplifier linearization, broadband wireless, radar and infrared imaging, medical imaging, communications instrumentation, and software-defined and cognitive radios.

    Building a Complete Radio Transceiver

    Virtually every cellular phone call made in the world today passes through ADI chips used throughout the radio transceiver design. The high IF signal is digitized by the AD9445, and the LVDS output interfaces seamlessly with the LVDS input of the AD6636, a multi-channel wideband digital down-converter, which in turn is optimized for Analog Devices' TigerSHARC(R) digital signal processor. The AD9445 is an ideal companion to Analog Devices' AD9779 TxDAC+(R) digital-to-analog converter and ADI's family of VersaCOMM(R) digital down- and up-converters.

    Pricing and Availability

    The AD9445-125 and AD9445-105 ADCs are sampling now in a Pb-free, 100-lead TQFP_EP (Thin Quad Flat Pack Exposed Paddle) with production quantities available in September 2005. Pricing for the AD9445-125 and AD9445-105 is $59.50 and $49.30, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities. The devices are supported by two evaluation boards and a behavioral model that can be used with Analog Devices' ADIsimADC(TM) modeling software. For more information, please visit www.analog.com/AD9445.

    ADI's Data Conversion Technology: Critical Bridge Between Analog and Digital

    Analog Devices is the world leader in data conversion technology. ADI's longstanding leadership in data conversion technology stems from an engineering culture that emphasizes deep understanding of the customer's system challenge, aggressive research and development investment and unmatched mixed-signal design expertise. From application-specific solutions designed to lower system cost to the broadest selection of speed, accuracy, size and power consumption in DACs and ADCs, Analog Devices provides the products, technology and support customers need to successfully bridge between real-world analog signals and the digital world of electronic equipment. ADI's data converters are used widely in consumer electronics, broadband and wireless communications, instrumentation, automotive systems, industrial equipment and medical electronics, as well as a host of other emerging market applications.

    About Analog Devices

    Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the most long-standing, high-growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers around the world, representing virtually all types of electronics equipment. Celebrating 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices, Inc. is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 8,900 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, and the Philippines. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and ADI is included in the S&P 500 Index.

    TigerSharc(R), TxDAC+(R) and VersaCOMM(R) are registered trademarks, and ADIsimADC(TM) is a trademark of Analog Devices, Inc.

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CONTACT: Analog Devices, Inc. Sue Martenson, 781-937-1989 sue.martenson@analog.com or Porter Novelli Andrew MacLellan, 617-897-8200 andrew.maclellan@porternovelli.com

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE NETWORKING SOURCE: Analog Devices, Inc.

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