Linear Technology announces the LTC6945, a high performance 6GHz integer-N frequency synthesizer with outstanding -226 dBc/Hz normalized closed-loop in-band phase noise, excellent -274 dBc/Hz normalized in-band 1/f noise, a wideband phase noise floor of -157 dBc/Hz and best-in-class -102 dBc spurious output. In a typical 900 MHz application, these performance attributes enable a closed-loop phase noise of -100 dBc/Hz at 1kHz offset. The LTC6945 is designed to work in conjunction with an external low noise VCO up to 6 GHz. In addition, the device has an on-chip output divider that is programmable from 1 through 6 to extend the tuning frequency coverage to as low as 350 MHz.
The LTC6945 comprises a low noise reference buffer, a reference divider, phase-frequency detector (PFD) with phase-locked indicator, an ultralow noise programmable charge pump and an integer feedback divider to attain very low noise PLL operation. The on-chip SPI-compatible bidirectional serial port allows frequency tuning and control, and read back of the register and loop status information.
The low phase noise and spurious capabilities of the LTC6945 enhance the performance of RF and wireless equipment of all types, including multiband basestations supporting LTE, W-CDMA, UMTS, CDMA, multicarrier GSM and WiMAX standards. Its wide frequency range also supports point-to-point broadband wireless access, military, avionics and high performance test and measurement applications.
The PLLWizard™ comprehensive PC-based design tool software is available to facilitate interactive control and to interface with the LTC6945’s evaluation board. Designers can perform simulations and optimization with the PLLWizard software, and then interactively verify their designs on the actual demonstration circuit. The PLLWizard design tool is available for download free of charge at www.linear.com/PLLWizard.
The LTC6945 is specified over the full case temperature range from -40° to 105°C. The LTC6945 is now available from stock in a 4mm x 5mm, 28-lead plastic QFN package, priced starting at $4.95 each in 1000-piece quantities.
