12-Bit, 2.3Gsps Multi-Nyquist DAC Delivers Industry's Best SFDR at RF Using the Least Power and Space
SUNNYVALE, CA-August 21, 2006-Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) introduces the MAX19692, a 12-bit, 2.3Gsps digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that sets new industry standards among high-speed DACs that can directly synthesize high-frequency and wideband signals in multiple Nyquist zones.
The MAX19692 directly synthesizes signals with up to 1GHz bandwidth in the frequency range from DC to more than 2GHz. The part offers superior dynamic performance, including 68dBc spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) at an output frequency of 1,200MHz (operating in third Nyquist). This performance is 14dB better in SFDR than the competition operating at this high-output frequency. "Leveraging its leadership in data converter technology, Maxim has developed a new high-speed DAC architecture that advances the state-of-the-art in terms of update rate, dynamic performance and multi-Nyquist capability. These performance enhancements are achieved with a dramatic decrease in power consumption," explains Ted Tewksbury, Managing Director, of Maxim's High-Speed Signal Processing Business Unit.
MAX19692 Overview
Operating from 3.3V and 1.8V supplies, the MAX19692 is a current-steering DAC with 4:1 multiplexed LVDS inputs and a 12-bit converter core. The frequency response of the DAC can be configured to optimize signal synthesis in each of the first three Nyquist zones (see Figure 1). As a result, the device has higher SNR in second and third Nyquist and improved gain flatness compared to that of conventional DAC architectures, which are optimized for the first Nyquist zone.
Tim Church, Business Manager for the Company's high-speed DACs, explains that, "The device not only advances dynamic performance and wideband capability in higher order Nyquist zones, but it also achieves this at one-third the power." At an update rate of 1.5Gsps, the MAX19692 consumes 950mW of power, 67% less power than the nearest competitor. This part is specified for the -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range and packaged in a space-saving, 11mm x 11mm, 169 CSBGA, less than two-thirds the size of the nearest competitor. "This level of performance, direct high-frequency synthesis capability, low power consumption, and compact size is unprecedented in the industry," Tewksbury added.
The MAX19692's superior performance makes it ideal for high-performance wideband communications applications. Examples include radar waveform and local oscillator (LO) signal synthesis, direct digital generation of wideband RF signals, ultra-high-data-rate wireless modems, direct digital synthesis, automatic test equipment, and arbitrary waveform generators.
Today's Performance Challenge for High-End Data Converters
Designers and manufacturers of today's most demanding equipment and systems constantly face the challenge of adding higher performance and capabilities to their next-generation products. The data converter in the system's main signal path provides the critical link to the real world and dictates overall performance. Next-generation requirements for high-speed data converters are now demanding faster update rates, higher dynamic performance, and direct high-frequency synthesis capability-all with less power consumption and smaller size.
The Design Benefits of the MAX19692
The MAX19692 provides the best combination of update rate, SFDR, direct synthesis, and multi-Nyquist capability in the industry. This allows system engineers to design high-performance instruments and communications transmitters that directly synthesize wideband signals in the frequency range from DC to more than 2GHz (see Figure 2). The 2.3Gsps update rate allows generation of signals up to 1GHz in bandwidth. The 68dBc SFDR performance and the giga-sample-per-second update rate relax anti-aliasing image filter requirements for a given signal bandwidth, thereby reducing system cost and complexity. The ability to synthesize signals directly in second and third Nyquist allows designers to eliminate upconversion stages, which again reduces system cost, power, board space, and design complexity (see Figure 3). All these benefits are realized without sacrificing overall system performance. The combined 2.3Gsps update rate and multi-Nyquist capability of the MAX19692 enable new architectures not possible using yesterday's data-converter architectures.
Broad, Immediate Application Potential
The MAX19692 DAC joins the Company's recently announced 12-bit ADC, the MAX1215N, which samples up to 250Msps and offers 66.7dB SNR and 84.7dBc SFDR at an input frequency of 100MHz. With the new MAX19692, Maxim now offers over 125 high-speed ADCs and DACs optimized for most equipment segments and applications.
The MAX19692 is in full production. Evaluation kits are also available to shorten design time. Please contact the factory to request an EV kit. For more information, please visit: http://www.maxim-ic.com/MAX19692info
Maxim Integrated Products is a leading international supplier of quality analog and mixed-signal products for applications that require real-world signal processing. For more information, go to www.maxim-ic.com call us at 408-737-7600, or write to us at 120 San Gabriel Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94086.
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