Analog Devices Inc. (ADI), a leader in high performance semiconductors for signal-processing applications, announced two new ultra-low-distortion differential amplifiers that set new performance standards for linearity and power consumption. The ADL5561 and ADL5562 differential amplifiers efficiently drive high speed, high IF sampling analog-to-digital converters (ADC) required by today’s advanced communications systems. The ADL5561 and ADL5562 are capable of maintaining performance while driving ADCs up to 500 MHz, exceeding the industry’s previous maximum of 380 MHz, set in 2005 by ADI’s AD8352 differential amplifier.
On-chip, user-selectable gain-setting resistors enable ADI to provide detailed specifications at common IF frequencies (70, 100, 140 and 250 MHz) and common gain settings (6, 12, 15.5 dB). This degree of specified performance simplifies and expedites the design process, provides previously unattainable flexibility, and allows the designer to exploit fully the amplifier’s performance at multiple gain settings and IF frequencies. Additionally, the pin-compatible ADL5561 and ADL5562 allow the user to select power consumption and performance to meet the requirements for a given application.
The ADL5561 and ADL5562 amplifiers drive 12- to 16-bit ADCs at the highest practical IF frequencies for use in next-generation communications systems, such as 3G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN). In today’s demanding advanced-radio applications, lowering the distortion level of the ADC driver improves system performance at higher frequencies by helping to maximize the receive channel’s spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) and minimize its signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR). This improvement minimizes the number of IF frequencies within the radio design, resulting in lower power, cost, component count and board area, and advancing system-level performance in applications such as wireless base stations, cable communications, medical and instrumentation, military and satellite communications.
