The TMC160 from mmTron is a DAC Interface IC that operates from 3 to 16 GHz. It 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. This IC 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, and the built-in anti-alias filter rejects the clock and intermodulation signals from the DAC. It requires a DC supply of 5 V and consumes 250 mA of current. A low current negative supply is also required to bias the gates of the LNA.
The TMC160 is designed to interface with over 10 GSPS DACs, provides a gain of 16 dB, and has a noise figure of 5 dB. It has a built-in bias-T which eliminates the need for an external inductor to feed bias to the LNAs. This IC is available in an air-cavity QFN package that measures 7 x 7 mm and is ideal for instrumentation, communications, radar, and electronic warfare applications.
