Wideband PLL with VCO synthesizer for improved wireless service quality

The Analog Devices ADF4355 microwave wideband synthesizer is now available from Mouser. Designed to increase performance and quality of wireless service per cellular base station, the ADF4355 is a fractional-N or integer-N phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizer with an integrated ultra-low noise voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The PLL with VCO synthesizer offers a fundamental output frequency up to 6,800 MHz - providing throughput advances for a variety of radio frequency (RF) wireless applications, including point-to-multipoint microwave links, satellite systems, VSAT systems, industrial, and test and measurement systems. The ADF4355 integrates a VCO that offers an output frequency ranging from 3,400MHz to 6,800MHz. The VCO frequency is connected to divide by 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 circuits, allowing developers to generate RF output frequencies as low as 54 MHz. This configuration enables the ADF4355 to cover a continuous range from 54 to 6,800 MHz without gaps. The ultra-low VCO phase noise capabilities meet the exacting requirements for a variety of wireless and industrial design uses. In addition to the extended frequency coverage, the device also features a smaller footprint and an increasing operating range across temperature - all features to aid developers in reducing risk in their frequency-generation applications. Operating with 38-bit modulus resolution, the 32-lead 5mm × 5mm ADF4355 offers exact-mode frequency operation that is independent of reference input frequency. The ADF4355 operates with analog and digital power supplies ranging from 3.15 V to 3.45 V, with charge pump and VCO supplies from 4.75 to 5.25V. The device also contains hardware and software power-down modes, and uses a simple three-wire serial interface to control all of its on-chip registers. The ADF4355 is supported by the 584-EV-ADF4355SD1Z evaluation board, also available from Mouser stock.