RF-sampling transceivers enable multiantenna wideband systems

Texas Instruments has introduced two new RF-sampling transceivers that are the first in the industry to integrate four analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and four digital-to-analog converters (DACs) in a single chip. With the industry’s widest frequency range, highest instantaneous bandwidth and 75 percent smaller design footprint than a discrete solution, the quad-channel AFE7444 and dual-channel AFE7422 transceivers help engineers more easily achieve multiantenna, direct RF sampling for radar, software defined radio and wireless 5G applications.

Key features:

• Highest instantaneous bandwidth (IBW): Offering the highest IBW among radio frequency (RF)-sampling transceivers, the AFE7444 and AFE7422 enable engineers to achieve up to 600 percent more data throughput. While sampling up to 9 gigasamples per second (GSPS) per DAC and up to 3 GSPS per ADC, the AFE7444 receives and transmits up to 800 MHz of information from each of the four antennae, and the AFE7422 receives and transmits 1.2 GHz from each of the two antennae.
• Widest frequency range: The new RF-sampling wideband transceivers give engineers flexibility to design applications covering any frequency from 10 MHz to 6 GHz.
• Reduced component count: The AFE7444 and AFE7422 enable engineers to support up to eight antennae and 16 RF bands with only one device. The AFE7444 and AFE7422 also allow engineers to directly sample input frequencies into C-band without the need for additional frequency conversion stages, eliminating local oscillators, mixers, amplifiers and filters in designs. Additionally, the two transceivers’ architecture allows for greater programmability than traditional RF solutions, and flexible decimation options enable optimization of data bandwidth.
• Reduced design cycles: With four ADCs and four DACs in one chip, the AFE7444 and AFE7422 help engineers significantly reduce design cycles that are associated with the manufacturing and testing phases required when designing with discrete components.
• Smaller design footprint: Measuring 17 mm by 17 mm, TI’s RF-sampling transceivers help save engineers 75 percent of board space when compared to using discrete RF-sampling data converters.
• Board placement flexibility: The integration and small size of the AFE7444 and AFE7422 enable engineers to optimize transceiver proximity to the antenna, enabling digital beam forming in high-frequency and high-density antenna arrays.

The AFE7444 and AFE7422 join TI’s RF-sampling transceiver portfolio that meets engineers’ performance, bandwidth and power needs with high integration.

TI’s new RF-sampling transceivers are available in production quantities through the TI store and authorized distributors. Packages and pricing are listed in the table below.