RF sampling system architecture with high dynamic range and wide bandwidth

Texas Instruments has introduced a high level of radio-frequency (RF) sampling performance with the ADC32RF45, claimed to be the industry’s fastest 14-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This dual-channel ADC enables direct RF signal conversion up to 4GHz, giving engineers access to the highest dynamic range and input bandwidth. The first in a new data converter family in TI’s RF sampling portfolio, the device eliminates up to four intermediate-frequency down conversion stages in multiband receivers, which simplifies system architecture and reduces board space up to 75 percent. Direct RF sampling meets engineers’ requirements for higher integration, better noise performance, wider bandwidth and smaller footprints in radar, software-defined radio, aerospace and defence, test and measurement, wireless communication, and radio astronomy systems. To speed development and maximize performance, engineers can design a complete analog signal chain today using the ADC32RF45 with TI’s LMH3404 7-GHz dual-channel fully differential amplifier, which supports bandwidths from DC to 1.5GHz; the LMX2592 9.8-GHz wideband frequency synthesizer; and the LMK04828 JESD204B-compliant clock-jitter cleaner. In addition, the 66AK2L06 processor offers a system-optimised alternative to field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).