Analog Devices Inc. (ADI), a leader in data-conversion technology, introduced a dual-channel, 1.2-GSPS (giga-sample-per-second), 16-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that supports the high data rates and complex modulation schemes required for advanced multi-carrier wireless and broadband communications equipment throughout the world. According to ABI Research, global wireless infrastructure spending will reach $49 B this year with Asia, South America, the Middle East and Africa as key emerging markets for future growth.

Featuring an on-chip 32-bit NCO (numerically-controlled oscillator) that allows flexible placement of the IF (intermediate frequency) to help optimize system performance, ADI’s AD9122 DAC satisfies requirements for multi-standard cellular base stations and other applications that use sophisticated DPD (digital pre-distortion) techniques demanding broad signal bandwidths. The wireless communications standards that the AD9122 supports include GSM, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000, WiMAX and LTE.

The combination of the AD9122 dual DAC and ADI’s ADL5375 quadrature modulator and AD9516 14-output clock generator meets or exceeds six multi-carrier GSM specifications for IMD (intermodulation distortion) and SNR (signal-to-noise ratio). This signal chain is available as an evaluation board. Other complementary parts include the recently announced ADRF6702 quadrature modulator and ADRF6602 Rx mixer.