|
 |
wirelessZONE Products for the week of November 30, 2009
Texas Instruments Says…
ADS4149: Lowest Power 250 Msample/s, 14 bit ADC
Uses 30% less power in software defined radios, test and measurement, and wireless communications systems
Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) introduced the first in a new class of high-speed analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) delivering ultra-low power consumption and excellent dynamic performance across wide signal bandwidths from DC up to 550 MHz. At the maximum sample rate of 250 mega samples per second (MSPS), the 14-bit ADS4149 consumes 30 percent less power, while delivering 3-dB greater signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than the nearest low-power ADC. This combination of power and performance enables greater efficiency and density while enhancing range and sensitivity in defense, test and measurement, and communications applications.
“Designers of wide-bandwidth applications are challenged to deliver smaller, more portable systems with increased efficiency, while still meeting the highest performance specifications,” said Art George, senior vice president of TI’s High-Performance Analog business unit. “This new class of ADCs sets low power benchmarks and allows designers to create denser and more compact systems that extend battery life in radios and test equipment.”
EN-Genius Says…
The most remarkable thing about the ADS4149 is that it consumes the same low power, 275 mW, as its 12 bit sibling, the ADS4129. That is an amazing feat.
Power scaling is dynamic so that at 160 Msample/s the power consumption drops to 215 mW. That compares very favorably with what is probably the current leader in the field, Linear’s LTC2262-14, which has a 149 mW power consumption at 150 Msample/s, and well below the hungry AD9254 from Analog Devices using 460 mW.
The ADS4149 offers an SNR of better than 73 dBFS at low frequencies falling to about 72.5 dBFS at 100 MHz and 69.5 dBFS at 250 MHz.
The ADS4149 and its sibling, the ADS 41B49 (with an input analog buffer) are lower voltage updates for the ADS6149 and ADS61B49.
SFDRs and THDs are in the 80s dBc, but as is the case for all high performance ADCs the actual performance is going to be very dependent on your application. That is further complicated here because of a 1 dB to 6 dB programmable gain option that trades off SNR against SFDR.
This is a high value part and is well ahead of the current offerings from other vendors. The 12 bit family members will also allow designers to migrate, as necessary, both up and down in resolution. TI is promising multi-channel options early in 2010.
The ADS4149 is in production in QFN-48 and is priced at $89 in 1000-piece lots.
Data Sheet
|
|
|
|
|
