Analog Devices Inc (ADI) of Norwood, MA, USA (which provides ICs for analog and digital signal processing applications) has introduced highly integrated Rx/Tx converters that improve the reliability, cost, and time to market for microwave and millimeter-wave mobile operators and telecom equipment manufacturers.
The new HMC8100 and HMC8200 Rx/Tx converters incorporate a wide array of functions, replacing multiple discrete parts to provide a single-source, high-performance solution for microwave backhaul applications. Since reducing the number of components simplifies the design, manufacturers can now be market-ready faster, ADI claims. The significant reduction in board size and associated power consumption further improves reliability and reduces both system cost and operating expenses, the firm adds. The resulting telecom equipment is more dependable in the field.
The HMC8100 IF receiver chip converts RF input signals ranging from 800MHz to 4000MHz down to a single-ended IF signal of 140MHz at its output. The device includes two voltage gain amplifiers, three power detectors, a programmable automatic gain control block, and select integrated bandpass filters with 14MHz, 28MHz, 56MHz and 112MHz bandwidth. The HMC8100 supports all standard microwave frequency bands from 6GHz to 42GHz.
The HMC8200 IF transmitter chip converts the industry-standard 300-400MHz IF input signal to an 800-4000MHz single-ended RF signal at its output. With IF input power ranges from 31dBm to +4dBm, it provides 35dB of digital gain control in 1dB steps while an analog voltage gain amplifier continuously controls the transmitter output power from -20dBm to +5dBm. The device also features three integrated power detectors.
