Analog Devices intros highly integrated RF/IF variable gain amplifiers

NORWOOD, USA: Analog Devices Inc. has introduced a series of highly integrated RF/IF variable gain amplifiers (VGAs). ADI’s new ADL5201, ADL5202, ADL5240 and ADL5243 variable gain amplifiers offer breakthrough levels of integration—combining up to four discrete RF/IF blocks into a single device.

With this unprecedented level of integration, radio system manufacturers can realize a significant reduction in component count and a major savings in BOM (bill of materials) cost. In addition to unsurpassed integration, the new VGAs offer industry-leading performance, linearity and flexibility that make them well-suited for demanding applications, such as cellular base stations, industrial/instrumentation and defense equipment.

“These new RF/IF variable gain amplifiers further expand ADI’s commitment to offering best-in-class levels of integration and performance for both RF and IF applications,” said Peter Real, vice president, Linear and RF products, Analog Devices.

“Both product families provide the user with flexibility to select their preferred parallel or serial formats, and offer fine 0.5dB digital gain steps. This approach simplifies and eases system design, decreases footprint and enables designers of equipment such as next generation base stations to reduce component count, board area, supply lines and cost.”

ADL5201 and ADL5202 IF VGAs
The ADL5201 and its dual version, the ADL5202, are digitally controlled, IF variable gain amplifiers designed to support high IF sampling receiver designs that require precise gain control, high IP3 and a low noise figure for new broadband radio designs.

The new VGAs combine highest dynamic range with lowest distortion and noise figures for IF frequencies up to 400 MHz. The ADL5201 and ADL5202 are ideally suited for driving high-speed, next generation ADCs such as ADI’s AD9268. The new VGAs incorporate proprietary distortion cancellation techniques that enable them to achieve the industry’s highest linearity at more than 47 dBm output IP3 and noise figure of 6 dB.

The ADL5201 and ADL5202 provide gain control range of 31.5 dB with 0.5 dB resolution and are capable of supporting serial and parallel interface modes. The ADL5201 and ADL5202 were developed on an advanced SiGe BiCMOS process which enables the reduction in component count, power and supply voltages.

ADL5240 and ADL5243 IF/RF VGAs
Operating in the 100 MHz to 4000 MHz frequency range, the ADL5240 and ADL5243 RF/IF digitally controlled VGAs offer unsurpassed gain control performance and accuracy.

Designed with GaAs technology, the ADL5240 VGA combines a DSA (digital step attenuator) and a gain block into a single IC, while the ADL5243 combines a DSA, a gain block, and a broadband ¼ W driver amplifier in a single IC, without any sacrifice in performance.

Either the amplifier or the DSA can be first in the signal chain, maximizing system flexibility by allowing the VGA to be used in multiple places throughout a design.

The DSA in each VGA offers a wide gain control range of 31.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps, and accommodates serial and parallel interface modes, while the gain block in each VGA offers a very high linearity of greater than 40 dBm and noise figure of 2.9 at 900 MHz. The ADL5243’s ¼ W driver offers industry- leading linearity performance of 42.0 dBm with an impressive 25.7 dBm P1dB at 2.14 GHz.