The ADRF6780S from Analog Devices is a Silicon Germanium (SiGe) Microwave Up-Converter that converts input frequencies (IF) from 0.8 to 3.5 GHz to output frequencies (RF) from 5.9 to 23.6 GHz. This upconverter consists of a quad splitter buffer, a log power detector, an LO doubler, a voltage variable attenuator, ADC, bias control, and an SPI interface. It offers two modes of frequency translation, which are, the direct conversion to RF from baseband in-phase/Quadrature signals and single sideband (SSB) upconversion from a real IF input carrier frequency.
This microwave upconverter provides an output P1dB of 11.5 dBm, a return loss of 12 dB, and a sideband suppression of 25 dBc. It has high impedance baseband inputs, which are terminated off chip with 100-Ohm differential back terminations. This upconverter also supports aerospace applications with radiation monitoring for total ionizing dose (TID) and outgassing characterization. It uses a built-in SPI interface to tweak the Quadrature phase of the signal and allow sideband suppression.
The ADRF6780S-CSL requires a DC supply of 3.3 V and consumes less than 40 mA of current. This upconverter is available in a chip-scale package that measures 5 x 5 mm and is ideal for low and medium earth orbit (LEO and MEO), avionics, radar/electronic warfare systems, and point-to-point microwave radio applications.
