Super-fast 12bit ADC handles European cable specs

According to Analog Devices, the AD9430 is the fastest 12bit A/D convertor on the market, capable of encoding at 210Msample/s.

According to Analog Devices, the AD9430 is the fastest 12bit A/D convertor on the market, capable of encoding at 210Msample/s, making it 68% faster than the next fastest available convertor - its own AD9433.

Applications needing this speed and precision include: broadband cable modem head-end systems; 3G radio transceivers; high-datarate point-to-point radios; medical imaging systems; and spectrum analysers.

For cable modems, the Euro-DOCSIS (data over cable service interface specification) standard uses a larger return path spectrum - requiring higher performance data convertors-than the North American DOCSIS standard.

With the AD9430, cable system OEMs can create a cost-effective, worldwide universal analogue front end for reverse-path deployment, eliminating the need for unique systems for different regions.

Also, studies have proven that digitising the cable return path increases the overall cable plant reliability by eliminating traditional analogue effects such as temperature drift.

Digitising the return path also simplifies maintenance since systems can use multi-sourced standards-based digital components.

This product achieves the performance required to deliver higher order modulation schemes so that cable service providers can offer a new suite of revenue-generating services, such as telephony, gaming, video conferencing, and guaranteed datarates.

In addition, the performance of the AD9430 allows designers to increase datarates in radio point-to-point systems by migrating to high orders of modulation-from PSK-based to QAM or OFDM, which have higher spectral requirements - or by increasing the spectrum bandwidth, up to 105MHz, thanks to the fast sample rate of the AD9430.

In cellular infrastructure transmit systems, designers can use the AD9430 to take advantage of digital predistortion techniques for 3G systems that require digitisation of the entire multicarrier transmitted spectrum in a band up to 70MHz.

"The AD9430, with speed and performance unmatched by the competition, raises the bar for standard high speed ADC products", said Kevin Kattmann, product line director for High-Speed Convertors, Analog Devices.

"This breakthrough convertor enables cable OEMs to be first to market with a standards-compliant, digitised reverse path solution.

In addition, the AD9430 offers a combination of pricing, power, size and features to help cable system OEMs support a worldwide market with a common platform".

The AD9430 is a 12bit monolithic sampling ADC with an on-chip track-and-hold circuit, and is optimised for speed, low power, small size and ease of use.

The device has excellent SNR (signal to noise ratio) performance of 64dB up to 65MHz at 210Msample/s and SFDR (spurious free dynamic) range of 80dBc up to 65MHz at 210Msample/s.

INL (integral nonlinearity) is typically +/-1.5LSB and DNL (differential nonlinearity) is +/-1LSB.

Power dissipation of the AD9430 is typically just 1.3W at 210Msample/s.

In the AD9430, there is the option to select an output data format of two's complement or offset binary.

In addition, the user can select between CMOS or LVDS compatible outputs.

In CMOS mode, two output buses support demultiplexed data up to 110Msample/s rates at 3.3V.

When using low voltage differential signalling (LVDS), output drive can be scaled by means of an external resistor to minimise power consumption.

A data sync input is provided for proper output data port alignment and a data clock output is available for proper output data timing.

Two versions of the AD9430 are available now, each offered in a 100-pin thin quad flatpack with exposed heat sink paddle (epad TQFP).

The AD9430BSV-170, with 170Msample/s, is available in production quantities today and priced at $75 per unit in 1000-piece quantities.

The AD9430BSV-210, with 210Msample/s speed, is currently sampling and is priced at $91 per unit in 1000-piece quantities.

Production quantities will be available in Q3.

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