Teledyne e2v is moving closer to its goal of overhauling the RF signal chain with its latest digital-to-analog converters (DAC). Beta samples of its EV12DD700 dual-channel DACs are now available for qualified customers, prior to volume shipments. Key applications for the DAC are radar, satellite communications and terrestrial network infrastructure.
This wide output bandwidth 12- or 8-bit data converters handle sample rates to 12 GSPS, providing the capability to generate signal waveforms in multiple frequency bands. According to Teledyne, this DAC is the first to operate within Ka-Band (i.e., >26 GHz). The DAC has sophisticated features such as direct digital synthesis and digital up-conversion via a built-in 32-bit numerically-controlled oscillator. These enable greater throughput without straining the IC’s resources.
Using the EV12DD700, engineers can create next-generation RF systems with greater versatility and digital functions such as fast frequency hopping and beamforming. The software-based approach enables implementing configuration changes in code by configuring the DAC, rather than the inconvenience and expense of altering the hardware.
“Through these unique DAC devices, we are accelerating the widely anticipated software-ization of RF, which is something that is certain to bring huge benefits in the future,” said Nicolas Chantier, the marketing director for data and signal processing products at Teledyne e2v.
The EV12DD700 DACs will be supplied in a 20 mm x 20 mm Hi-TCE package and have an operating temperature from −55°C to 125°C.
The announcement of the new DACs follows the introduction of the EV12DD700 evaluation board in the spring, which enabled engineers to gauge the performance of the DACs. Now, with access to samples, engineers can evaluate how the DACs will fit into their designs and plan migration.
“Availability of samples at this point will be highly appealing to engineers, as it will take time to rethink how their data conversion architectures are going to be structured,” said Chantier.