New RF/IF VGAs from ADI packs four discrete RF/IF blocks into a single device

Analog Devices (ADI) has released a series of highly integrated RF/IF variable gain amplifiers (VGAs). This series comprises of ADL5201, ADL5202, ADL5240 and ADL5243 variable gain amplifiers. These amplifires can combine up to four discrete RF/IF blocks into a single device. These devices exhibit a high level of integration. The new VGAs are suggested for applications, such as cellular base stations, industrial/instrumentation and defense equipment.

"These new RF / IF variable gain amplifiers further expand ADI's commitment to offering best-in-class levels of integration and performance for both RF and IF applications," said Peter Real, vice president, Linear and RF products, Analog Devices. "Both product families provide the user with flexibility to select their preferred parallel or serial formats, and offer fine 0.5dB digital gain steps. This approach simplifies and eases system design, decreases footprint and enables designers of equipment such as next generation base stations to reduce component count, board area, supply lines and cost."

The ADL5201 and its dual version, the ADL5202, are digitally controlled, IF variable gain amplifiers designed to support high IF sampling receiver designs that require precise gain control, high IP3 and a low noise figure for new broadband radio designs. The new VGAs combine high dynamic range with low distortion and noise figures for IF frequencies up to 400 MHz. The ADL5201 and ADL5202 are suitable for driving high-speed, ADCs such as ADI's AD9268. The new VGAs incorporate proprietary distortion cancellation techniques that can acheive linearity at more than 47 dBm output IP3 and noise figure of 6 dB. The ADL5201 and ADL5202 provide gain control range of 31.5 dB with 0.5 dB resolution and are capable of supporting serial and parallel interface modes. The ADL5201 and ADL5202 were developed using SiGe BiCMOS process.

The ADL5240 and ADL5243 VGAs have an operating frequency range of 100 MHz to 4000 MHz. The ADL5240 and ADL5243 RF/IF digitally controlled VGAs is designed with GaAs technology, the ADL5240 VGA combines a DSA (digital step attenuator) and a gain block into a single IC, while the ADL5243 combines a DSA, a gain block, and a broadband 0.25 W driver amplifier in a single IC. The DSA in each VGA offers a wide gain control range of 31.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps, and accommodates serial and parallel interface modes, while the gain block in each VGA offers a linearity of greater than 40 dBm and noise figure of 2.9 at 900 MHz. The ADL5243's ¼ W driver offers linearity performance of 42.0 dBm with an 25.7 dBm P1dB at 2.14 GHz.

Pricing, Availability and Complementary Products

Part Number Package Pricing in 1,000-unit
Quantities Availability

ADL5201 4 mm × 4 mm
24-lead LFCSP $7.21 Sampling now;
production release
scheduled for
winter
ADL5202 6 mm × 6 mm
40-lead LFCSP $10.41 Sampling now;
production release
scheduled for
winter

ADL5240 5 mm × 5 mm
32-lead LFCSP $9.68 Sampling now;
production release
scheduled for
winter

ADL5243 5 mm × 5 mm
32-lead LFCSP $13.98 Sampling now;
production release
scheduled for
winter