Custom IC design enables RF signal generator

Plextek has designed a number of custom ICs for test and measurement equipment vendor Aeroflex.

Plextek has designed a number of custom ICs for test and measurement equipment vendor Aeroflex.

The ICs were developed to enable the company to extend its signal generator product range to 6GHz, which has now been realised in the 3416 digital RF signal generator.

The custom ICs enable highly reliable and fast switching operation and have helped to improve VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) and manufacturability while reducing the component count in Aeroflex's products.

Both Plextek and Aeroflex will be exhibiting at the IEEE MTT-S 2005 International Microwave Symposium in Long Beach, California, from 12th to 17th June, Stand 759.

The 3416 generator will be available for demonstration on the Aeroflex stand.

Aeroflex commissioned Plextek to undertake the design of a set of high linearity, precision step attenuator ICs.

This allowed the company to specify components that precisely met its requirements rather than relying on commercially available, standard product ranges.

In addition to the 3416 digital RF signal generator, the custom ICs, which are now proprietary Aeroflex devices, are being evaluated by various design groups within the company to determine their suitability for other product requirements.

The 3416 generator covers a frequency range of 250kHz to 6GHz and offers full digital, vector and analogue modulation.

It is able to meet the demanding requirements of the latest 3-3.5G and 802.11a, b and g communications standards.

"This project clearly demonstrates the potential advantages to OEMs of using subcontract design services", commented Colin Smithers, Managing Director of Plextek.

"The custom chips have not only enabled Aeroflex to extend its product range but have improved the overall design of its generators".

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