Demodulator Enhances Emerging RF Systems

Feb 23, 2011 11:43 AM, MD&D News Staff

For next-gen communications, the ADRF6801 demodulator from Analog Devices integrates a phase-locked loop (PLL) synthesizer and voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to perform multiple RF functions. A general-purpose device, it’s viable for use in RFID systems, cellular basestations, point-to-point radios, satellite communications, VHF/UHF radios, ISM-band (industrial, scientific, medical) apps, and industrial equipment. Other integrated features include a balun, three low-dropout regulators (LDOs), and baseband buffer amps. Its operating frequency ranges from 750 MHz to 1150 MHz, demodulator noise figure is 14.3 dB, input IP3 is 25 dBm, and P1dB is 12.5 dBm. Additionally, the ADRF6801 supports SPI/I2C interfaces for PLL programming and optionally allows selecting between an external LO source or an internally-generated LO signal. It costs $9.98 each in lots of 1000. To peruse a datasheet for the ADRF6801, go to www.analog.com/adrf6801 or www.analog.com/static/imported-files/data_sheets/ADRF6801.pdf.