Integrated rf ics for network infrastructure
1 min read
Analog Devices has launched a series of integrated rf ics targeted at LTE and 4G base stations.
The ADRF660x mixer series and the ADRF670x modulator series are said to enable high density radio cards by combining multiple discrete functional blocks into a single device, while meeting high performance requirements.
The parts, cover frequencies ranging from 400MHz to 3GHz, integrate previously discrete devices, such as a vco, an LO amp and a modulator. "It's not just integrated functional blocks," noted product manager Phillip Halford, "a lot of external components – such as decoupling capacitors and filters – have been pulled in."
Halford added that Analog's customers are having to support a wider range of bandwidths as they migrate to LTE and 4G. "But they need to be backward compatible with existing systems. And they need to put more circuit cards into smaller spaces."
Previously, the discrete devices would have used cmos, bipolar and GaAs processes. The new parts have been produced on a SiGe bicmos process.
Lead customers in Europe and Asia are developing products featuring the parts.
