Analog Devices' 14-Bit Digital-to-Analog Converter Breaks 1000 MSPS Speed Barrier to Clock at 1.2 GSPS.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2004

- New TxDAC+(R) converter optimized for high frequency and wide bandwidth synthesis applications including radar and lab test equipment.

Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal-processing applications and market leader in data converters, today launched the industry's first 14-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to clock at a sample rate of 1.2 GSPS (giga-samples-per-second). This converter sets a new data-rate benchmark, breaking the 1000 MSPS speed barrier, while still providing superb dynamic performance. As signal processing requirements increase in speed and complexity, electronic engineers are requiring data converters that can synthesize high-quality signals at much higher frequencies. The AD9736 represents a substantial leap in speed and performance. The extremely fast data rates are made possible by the integration of LVDS digital interface technology with Analog Devices' best-in-class high-speed data converters.

"Twenty percent faster than any comparable DAC in the marketplace today, the AD9736 is the best option for designers of high-end products needing a low-power, high-performance converter," said David Robertson, product line director for high-speed converters, Analog Devices. "The AD9736 achieves world-class spurious free dynamic range, intermodulation distortion and noise spectral density performance over the entire Nyquist zone."

Low Power Ideal for High-bandwidth Applications

In addition to speed, the AD9736 features the lowest power dissipation of any high-speed 14-bit DAC available today, making it ideal for applications that require a low-power DAC to process high frequency and wide synthesis bandwidth signals. These applications include high-bandwidth test and measurement equipment; automatic test equipment; radar; avionics; and wideband communications, such as point-to-point wireless, LMDS (local multipoint distribution systems), and power amplifier linearization. The AD9736 operates from 1.8-V and 3.3-V supplies, consuming 380 mW at 1.2 GSPS with the interpolation filter bypassed, and 550 mW with the interpolation filter enabled.

Integrated LVDS Enables High Conversion Rates

The AD9736 provides a fast low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) input interface using a double-data-rate (DDR) mode, which enables high conversion rates over a wide bandwidth. This allows it to receive data at a high speed, while maintaining low distortion and noise, simplifying the transmit signal chain and enabling high quality synthesis of wideband signals at intermediate frequencies up to the Nyquist rate (one half of DAC sampling rate).

New Member of Industry-leading TxDAC+ Family

The AD9736, a new member of Analog Devices' industry-leading TxDAC+(R) family of transmit DACs, is joined by pin-compatible 12-bit (AD9735) and 10-bit (AD9734) versions. Operating at 1.2 GSPS, these devices feature a 2X digital interpolation filter, which doubles the incoming sample rate from DSPs, ASICs or FPGAs. This allows designers to take full advantage of the DAC sample rate with existing digital technology, while future-proofing the design. A novel clock-to-data synchronization scheme simplifies the interface timing and enables the extreme sample rate to be realized.

More about the AD9736

Like all high-speed DACs from Analog Devices, conversion in the AD9736 is initiated on the rising edge of each input clock at the full DAC sample rate. Sampling only on the rising clock edge eliminates potential performance problems related to clock duty cycle sensitivity. DACs that sample on both rising and falling clock edges can exhibit noise feedthrough of the half-rate clock if a nearly perfect 50 percent duty cycle is not maintained. Even small variations in duty cycle can create significant half-rate spurs and images that degrade SFDR (spurious free dynamic range) performance over the Nyquist bandwidth. The AD9736 clocking architecture renders it largely insensitive to clock duty cycle variations.

The output currents of the AD9736 can be programmed over a range of 10 mA to 30 mA, and can be easily configured for various single-ended or differential circuit topologies. The device's IMD is 74 dBc at an output frequency of 255 MHz and better than 65 dBc up to a 600 MHz output frequency. SFDR is 63 dBc at a 300 MHz output frequency and 53 dBc at 600 MHz, sampling at 1.2 GSPS. Noise performance is excellent, with noise spectral density of -158 dBm/Hz synthesizing a 300-MHz output.

Pricing and Availability

The 14-bit AD9736 is sampling now. The device is offered in a 160-pin BGA (ball grid array) package to reduce parasitics and improve performance. Production quantities for the AD9736, AD9735, and AD9734 will be available at the end of 2004. In 1,000-piece quantities, the AD9736 is priced at $34.95; the pin-compatible 12-bit AD9735 is $19.95, and the 10-bit AD9734 is $14.95. For more information, please visit www.analog.com/AD9736.

About Analog Devices' High-Speed DAC Portfolio

Based on decades of consistent investment in converter technology and application understanding, Analog Devices' converter products are designed to provide optimal combinations of functionality, performance, power and price to suit the broadest market requirements. The company's innovations in high-speed DACs include:

-- CMOS Process Technology: ADI was first to transform high-speed

DACs from time-domain (video) to frequency-domain

(communications) applications in CMOS technology, enabling

reduced cost and power and allowing the integration of digital

processing in the signal chain.

-- Digital Signal Processing: ADI broke new ground by adding

basic and then more complex digital processing to high-speed

DACs, enabling more complete and easy-to-use signal synthesis

and conversion functions. For example, ADI introduced

integrated digital interpolation filters, significantly

relieving the analog reconstruction filter requirements, while

maintaining reasonable digital interface speeds. Analog

Devices' newest high-speed DACs go a step further to integrate

modulation capabilities, allowing DACs to synthesize

intermediate frequencies in the digital domain.

-- Packaging Technology: ADI has led the industry in the

migration to smaller packaging for high-speed DACs and now

offers products in 5 mm x 5 mm CSPs (chip-scale packages), a

leading-edge packaging technology that reduces package size by

up to 87 percent and increases design flexibility.

About Analog Devices

Analog Devices, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of precision high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications. ADI is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 8,600 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and ADI is included in the S&P 500 Index.

TxDAC+ is a registered trademark of Analog Devices.