Fabless semiconductor startup mmTron announced the release of the TMC160 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) interface IC. The IC amplifies and converts the differential output of a high-speed DAC to a clean, low-noise, single-ended signal to drive the RF chain of a transmitter.
“High-speed DACs now have sample rates above 10 GSPS and require low noise, highly linear microwave interfaces to filter and convert their differential outputs to feed the single-ended RF transmit chain,” said Seyed Tabatabaei, mmTron’s CEO and founder. "mmTron’s TMC160 DAC interface IC was designed for this purpose."
TMC160 Functional Block Diagram
With 16 GHz bandwidth, the TMC160 integrates anti-alias lowpass filtering, low noise amplification, and a balun that converts the differential DAC output to a single-ended 50-ohm output compatible with traditional RF signal chains. The differential architecture provides high common-mode rejection.
The TMC160 has 10–16 dB nominal gain to 16 GHz, a noise figure (NF) under 5 dB, and 30 dBm output third-order intercept (IP3). The built-in anti-alias filter rejects the clock and intermodulation signals from the DAC. The TMC160 quasi-differential LNA is biased with 5 V and nominally draws 250 mA. A low current negative supply is also required to bias the gates of the LNA. As the input and output are DC coupled, the design includes an internal bias T to eliminate the need for an external inductor, simplifying the bias interface at the balun.
The multichip module is packaged in a 7 mm x 7 mm air-cavity QFN. The clock frequency and characteristics of the anti-alias filter can be customized, and future packaging options include ceramic air-cavity and plastic overmolded QFNs. The broadband LNA will also be available as a separate die product.
mmTron will be at the 2023 International Microwave Symposium (IMS) in San Diego, on June 13–15 (Booth #343).
Click here for more details on the TMC160 DAC.
