PLL design software takes on ISM band transceivers

Analog Devices has released a new version of its popular phase-locked loop circuit design and evaluation tool.

Analog Devices has released a new version of its popular phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit design and evaluation tool.

ADIsimPLL Version 2.7 features enhanced synthesis and simulation capabilities, as well as expanded libraries and web access, further streamlining the RF development process for customers of ADI's fractional-N and integrated VCO/PLL products.

These products are used in applications such as wireless basestations, LAN, mobile handsets/PDAs, broadband wireless access, industrial and instrumentation and test equipment, satellite, sonar and CATV.

"When we first introduced the ADIsimPLL tool two years ago, it redefined PLL synthesiser design by removing time-consuming iterations from the design process, increasing accuracy and speeding designs to market", said Christian Kermarrec, Vice President, RF and Wireless Systems, Analog Devices "Since its introduction we have received more than 15,000 downloads of ADIsimPLL, and now with the enhancements featured in Version 2.7, design cycles can be cut by up to 80% when compared with traditional evaluation methods".

ADIsimPLL Version 2.7 supports simulations of all key nonlinear effects that impact PLL performance.

ADIsimPLL Version 2.7 adds loop filter options that allow designers to optimise the synthesis algorithms and lower the loop filter's contribution to the overall PLL phase noise.

An expanded library of VCO (voltage-controlled oscillator) characterisation data ensures highly accurate simulations and the library data also has web-based references.

A single mouse click accesses conveniently to a PLL or VCO device's web page.

Analog Devices PLL libraries have been updated to reflect the company's latest product offerings (ADF4193 fractional-N PLL synthesiser, ADF7020 ISM-band transceiver) as well as ADI's integrated VCO/PLL products (ADF4360-x).

Now, users can also simulate systems which employ the new family of ISM-band transmitters/transceivers from ADI, featuring FSK modulation.

This allows interactive optimisation of the loop filter in such systems and greatly increases design efficiency.

ADIsimPLL allows designers to work at a high level and directly modify derived parameters such as the loop bandwidth, phase margin and pole locations, and instantly observe the effects of the changes on performance.

With traditional design techniques, the evaluation of new devices requires construction, measurement and hand optimisation of a prototype, which is a significant barrier to change and a hindrance to time to market.

ADIsimPLL Version 2.7 is available now free of charge as a download, allowing designers to run simulations locally.

ADIsimPLL can be downloaded from the Analog Devices website.

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