Analog Devices Delivers 14-Bit ADC with Industry's Best Spurious-Free Dynamic Range; 14-Bit ADC Expands Base Station Call Capacity and Reduces Dropped Calls.

NORWOOD, Mass. -- Analog Devices, Inc., the world leader in data converter technology, today introduced a 14-bit, 80-MSPS (mega-samples-per-second) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that offers the highest spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) in its class. With wireless communications providers now carrying multiple radio standards, SFDR has become increasingly important for increasing call capacity and reducing dropped calls. The first in a family of high-speed, high-resolution ADCs optimized to improve the robustness and simplify the design of advanced 3G and next-generation 4G wireless base stations, the AD9444 provides a typical SNR of 73.1 dB and SFDR of 97 dBc with a 70 MHz input, a full 7 dB better than any other ADC in its class. Optimized for wireless base station applications, its high SFDR also makes the AD9444 well-suited to test equipment, wireless broadband and high-end data acquisition systems.

"The implementation of multi-carrier radio architectures in 3G has magnified the importance of SFDR to wireless systems designers," said Kevin Kattmann, product line director of the High-Speed Converter Group at Analog Devices. "To increase the capacity within a cell site and improve the quality of service per base station cell, 3G multi-carrier wireless designers require the high-performance receiver technology the AD9444 enables."

Best-in-Class Spurious-Free Dynamic Range

SFDR is a key specification used to qualify the performance of an ADC. A converter with a high SFDR can capture weak signals in the frequency band of interest, despite the presence of stronger signals. The 97 dBc SFDR of the AD9444 ADC expands the dynamic range of wireless base station receivers, while improving quality of service and lowering cost.

More about the AD9444

In addition to delivering 97 dBc SFDR and 73.1 dB SNR with a 70 MHz input, the AD9444 provides high accuracy, with typical differential nonlinearity (DNL) of +/-0.4 LSB, integral nonlinearity (INL) of +/-0.6 LSB, and power dissipation of 1.2 W. The ADC also features parallel low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) outputs, including an output clock, simplifying the interface to digital down-converters and reducing the potential for digital noise coupling back into the ADC core. The AD9444 is the first device in a family of Analog Devices' high-speed ADCs that will offer higher sample rates, ease of use, and improved dynamic performance at competitive prices.

Building a Complete Signal Chain

The LVDS output of the AD9444 interfaces seamlessly with the LVDS support of the AD6636 multi-channel wideband digital down converter, which is optimized for Analog Devices' TigerSHARC(R) digital signal processor. Additionally, a clean clock source for the AD9444 is obtained when the device is used with the AD9510 high-performance clock distribution integrated circuit. The AD9444 is an ideal companion to Analog Devices' industry-leading TxDAC+(R) portfolio of digital-to-analog converters and VersaCOMM(R) digital down and up converters. Together, these devices form the basis for a high-performance digital radio transceiver.

Pricing and Availability

The AD9444 ADC is shipping in production volume now, available in Pb-free 100-lead TQFP_EP (Thin Quad Flat Pack Exposed Paddle) and priced at $38.25 per unit in 1,000-unit quantities. The device is 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/AD9444.

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 investing 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, automotive systems, industrial equipment and medical electronics, as well as a host of other emerging market applications.

About Analog Devices

Analog Devices, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications. ADI 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.