Texas Instruments releases two new integrated quad channel AFE7444 and dual-channel AFE7422 RF-sampling transceivers which is industries first integrated quad and dual channel RF-sampling transceivers. The two new transceivers integrate four analog-to-digital converters(ADCs) and four digital-to-analog converters(DACs) in a single chip with 75% smaller design footprint compared to using discrete RF-sampling data converters. The AFE7444 and AFE7422 offers widest range of frequency from 10Mhz to 6GHz with highest instantaneous bandwidth(IBW) which enables to achieve multiantenna wideband systems, software defined radio, wireless 5G applications and direct RF-sampling for radar.
The transceivers comes in smaller package of 17mm by 17mm flip-chip ball grid-array(FCBGA) which saves space for high-density applications and also enables flexibility in board placement. The flexibility in board placement helps engineers to optimize transceiver proximity to the antenna, enabling digital beam forming in high-frequency and high-density antenna arrays. The TI also announced the tools and support to speed design, and evaluate the new transceivers with the AFE7444EVM and AFE7422EVM evaluation modules so the engineers can directly jump-start their designs using the AFE7444 or AFE7422 with the multichannel RF transceiver clocking reference design for radars and wireless 5G testers.
The key-highlights are:
- Wide band support with Highest instantaneous Bandwidth: The transceivers offers the highest IBW among radio frequency RF-sampling transceivers samples up to 9 gigasamples per second (GSPS) per DAC and up to 3 GSPS per ADC. The frequency for transmission and reception of AFE7444 is up to 800MHz of information from each of the four antennae. The frequency for transmission and reception of AFE7422 is 1.2 GHz from each of the two antennae.
- Reduced components count: The AFE7444 and AFE7422 architecture allows for greater programmability than traditional RF solutions. It also allows to support up to eight antennae and 16 RF bands with one device and helps engineers directly sample input frequency into C-band without need for additional frequency stages which eliminates local oscillators, mixers, amplifiers and filter designs.
- Saves space for high-density applications: The two transceivers comes in package measuring only 17mm by 17mm which helps in saving 75% board space and helps engineers to optimize transceiver proximity to the antenna.
The samples of the transceivers are available today at TI store and authorized distributors. The transceivers are priced at US$2,499 for AFE7444 and US$1,999 for AFE7422. The pricing in 100-unit quantities for AFE7444 and AFE7422 starts at US$1,749.90 and US$1.249.90 respectively.
