RF SoCs cover sub-6-GHz spectrum, direct RF sampling

Xilinx, Inc. today announced it has extended its Zynq UltraScale+ Radio Frequency (RF) System-on-Chip (SoC) portfolio with greater RF performance and scalability. Building on the multi-market success of the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC base portfolio, next-generation devices can cover the entire sub-6 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum, which is a critical need for next-generation 5G deployment. They support direct RF sampling of up to 5 giga-samples per-second (GS/S) 14-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and 10 GS/S 14-bit digital-to-analog converters (DACs), both up to 6 GHz of analog bandwidth.

Xilinx’s RFSoC portfolio is the only single-chip adaptable radio platform that is designed to address current and future industry requirements. The portfolio now includes:

• Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Gen 2: Sampling now with production scheduled for June 2019, this device meets regional deployment timelines in Asia and supports 5G New Radio.
• Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Gen 3: Provides full sub-6GHz direct-RF support, extended millimeter wave interface, and up to 20 percent power reduction in the RF data converter subsystem compared to the base portfolio. The product will be available in 2H 2019.

The new products monolithically integrate higher-performance RF data converters that deliver the broad spectrum coverage required for the deployment of 5G wireless communications systems, cable access, advanced phased-array radar solutions and additional applications including test & measurement and satellite communications. By eliminating discrete components, the devices enable up to a 50 percent power and footprint reduction, making them ideal for the needs of telecommunications operators seeking to enable massive multiple-input, multiple-output base stations for their 5G systems.”

With pin-compatibility across the portfolio, customers can design and deploy their systems now using first-generation devices with a roadmap to Gen 2 and Gen 3 for greater performance.  More information on Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoCs, including details of the ZCU111 Evaluation Kit, can be found at www.xilinx.com/rfsoc.