Analog Devices's New AgileRF Synthesizer is Industry's First to Enable DDS Agility at Frequencies to 2.7 GHz.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2004

New, Analog Devices' AgileRF(TM) synthesizer integrates DDS and PLL circuitry to reduce design cost and complexity.

Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, today enabled faster, smarter radio frequency (RF) synthesis systems by introducing the industry's first low cost, low power, monolithic solution to integrate both direct digital synthesis (DDS) and phased locked loop (PLL) circuitry. The AgileRF synthesizer is designed for low-power applications such as radar systems used in automobiles, marine and military equipment, as well as satellite communications and instrumentation that benefit from highly linearized frequency and phase sweeping at RF frequencies. It is capable of operating within the ISM (industrial, scientific and medical), band of frequencies which is widely used in a broad spectrum of electronic equipment, and localized, low power applications ranging from garage door openers to gaming systems to home security systems.

The AD9956, the second member of ADI's AgileRF(TM) synthesizer family, offers increased functionality and reduced costs in systems requiring phase and frequency agility and exceptional resolution at RF frequencies. These systems include fine-tuning LO generation, radar, low-jitter clock generation, and frequency & phase modulation applications. Using less board space and fewer components, the device reduces system cost by up to 20 percent compared to traditional designs using multiple DDS, PLL, and clock driver components.

"Analog Devices is continuing to advance RF design to new levels, using sophisticated integration techniques and proprietary technology to drive down the cost and complexity of the design process," said Kevin Kattmann, product line director for high speed converters, Analog Devices. "By combining the industry's best frequency agility and upconversion technology, the AgileRF synthesizers brings us another step closer to delivering the ultimate, single-chip solution that provides all the performance advantages of a customized solution, without the added design costs or difficulties."

Among the AgileRF synthesizer's unique features is its narrow linear frequency sweep, which allows radar systems to use the principle of pulse compression. The synthesizer enables simple, highly linearized radar sweeps by generating a precision clock for the DDS. This can be used to generate ramped frequencies up to 2.7 GHz, something which cannot be done using a DDS alone. The scaleable charge pump current feature allows user-defined control over loop-bandwidth - enabling the system designer to change loop bandwidths through software. The device also contains multiplexers that enable different synthesizer configurations, minimize the need for custom hardware designs, and simplify the design, prototype, and development stages.

More About the AgileRF Synthesizer - AD9956

The AD9956 is comprised of advanced DDS and PLL circuitry, as well as a 650 MHz PECL-compliant CML clock driver with programmable slew rates. The DDS component features a 14-bit digital-to-analog converter operating up to 400 MSPS, and an advanced phase-detector/ charge pump combination that, when configured with an external VCO, enables the synthesis of digitally-programmable, frequency-agile analog output sinusoidal waveforms at up to 2.7 GHz. The PLL circuitry includes a phase detector with scaleable 200 MHz inputs (pre-scaler inputs operate up to 650 MHz) and digital control over the charge pump current.

The AD9956 is designed to provide fast frequency hopping and fine-tuning resolution (48-bit frequency tuning word). The frequency tuning and control words are loaded into the AD9956 via a serial I/O port which has a device write speed of 25 Mbit/sec. The device's DDS block also supports a user-defined linear sweep mode of operation. The AD9956 is specified to operate over the extended automotive temperature range of -40 degrees C to +125 degrees C.

Pricing and Availability

The AD9956 is sampling now in 48-lead LFCSP (lead form chip scale) packages, and will be available in full production in June 2004. The AD9956 is priced at $17.25 per unit in 1,000-piece quantities. For more information, please visit: http://www.analog.com/AD9956

Analog Devices in RF ICs

Using a unique combination of design skills, process technologies, and system understanding, Analog Devices has a broad portfolio of RF ICs, including complete chipsets and a full range of high-performance RF function blocks. In addition to its new family of X-PA(TM) power amplifier modules for GSM/GPRS phones, ADI's extensive offerings include: direct digital synthesizers (DDS); phase-locked loop synthesizers (PLLs); detectors and logarithmic amplifiers; fixed and variable gain amplifiers (VGAs); TruPwr(TM) RF power detectors; mixers, modulators, and demodulators; integrated IF amplifiers; and the Othello(R) family of direct conversion transceivers for cellular terminals.

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.