Tiny analog front ends shrink test and measurement, wireless communications, and optical networking systems

DALLAS, Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NASDAQ: [ TXN ]) today introduced two analog front ends (AFEs) that provide low power, high performance and space savings for test and measurement, wireless communications and optical networking equipment. The AFE7071 is a complete radio transmitter that reduces board space by up to 80 percent compared to discrete implementations. It integrates a dual digital-to-analog converter (DAC), tunable baseband filters, IQ modulator and digital quadrature modulation correction circuit. The AFE7070 adds a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) with 32-bit numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) and LVDS output buffer. For more information and to order samples of these new AFEs, visit [ www.ti.com/afe7070-pr ].

Key features and benefits of the [ AFE7070 ] and [ AFE7071 ]

Highly integrated: Providing a dual 14-bit, 65-MSPS DAC, programmable low-pass filter and RF IQ modulator with an RF output range of 100 MHz to 2700 MHz in a single device simplifies design and reduces board space.
Small size: 7-mm x 7-mm package with multiplexed CMOS input is 80-perent smaller than typical discrete solutions to enable compact or mobile designs, such as small-cell base stations and portable test and measurement equipment.
Flexible RF output: The devices are tunable from 100 MHz to 2700 MHz with output power up to 0.3 dBm to accommodate a wide range of frequencies and maximize system flexibility.
High performance, low power: Adjacent channel power ratio is 66 dB with 5-MHz WCDMA and 61 dB with 20-MHz LTE at 2.1 GHz while using only 325 mW, more than 50 percent lower than discrete designs.
Low output noise floor:156 dBm/Hz enables high signal quality.

Additional features and benefits of the [ AFE7070 ]

Space-efficient, cost-effective: Direct digital synthesis with 32-bit NCO and LVDS output buffer for frequency translation. This enables space-efficient designs by reducing interface lines and components while providing a cost-effective method for optical time alignment and arbitrary waveform generation.
Simplifies design: Integrated 800-MHz LVDS output can be used in a clock phase-locked loop (PLL) to drive the pre-scaler, eliminating the need for a separate analog-to-LVDS converter.
Configurable digital input: Can accept input data as a 14-bit complex value or 16-bit NCO phase value for constant amplitude modulation.

Tools and support
An evaluation module is available for both devices. The [ AFE7070EVM ] and [ AFE7071EVM ] include the [ CDCM7005 clock jitter cleaner ], as well as TI [ power management devices ], such as DC/DC converters and low-noise LDOs, to provide a complete bits-to-RF prototyping and reference design. They can be purchased for US$499.

IBIS models for the [ AFE7070 ] and [ AFE7071 ] are also available to verify board signal integrity requirements.

Additionally, designers can use the [ TSW3065EVM ] as a flexible local oscillator to drive the AFE7070 and AFE7071. It includes the [ TRF3765 ], a PLL/VCO with a tunable range of 300 MHz to 4800 MHz, and can be purchased for US$699.

Support is available on the [ High Speed Data Converters Forum ] in the TI E2E^TM Community, where engineers can ask questions and get answers from TI experts.

Availability and pricing
The [ AFE7070 ] and [ AFE7071 ] are both available today in a 7-mm by 7-mm QFN package. Suggested retail pricing in 1,000-unit quantities is US$11.90 for the AFE7071 and US$23.75 for the AFE7070.

Learn more about TI's newest solutions for [ test and measurement ], [ wireless infrastructure ] and [ optical networking ] by visiting the links below:

Buy the AFE7070EVM from the TI eStore: [ www.ti.com/afe7070evmbuy-pr ].
Order AFE7070 samples: [ www.ti.com/afe7070s-pr ].
Check out the AFE7070 data sheet: [ www.ti.com/afe7070ds-pr ].
Buy the AFE7071EVM from the TI eStore: [ www.ti.com/afe7071evmbuy-pr ].
Order AFE7071 samples: [ www.ti.com/afe7071s-pr ].
Read the AFE7071 data sheet: [ www.ti.com/afe7070ds-pr ].

About Texas Instruments
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SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated

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Tiny analog front ends shrink test and measurement, wireless communications, and optical networking systems