June 12, 2014 – Analog Devices (NASDAQ: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, announced three phase-locked loop (PLL) products capable of delivering the industry's largest frequency range and lowest voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) phase noise in a single product. Targeted at RF and microwave communication system designers requiring a single high-performance broadband synthesizer, the ADF5355 PLL handles a frequency spectrum of 55 MHz to 14 GHz, the largest bandwidth in its class, while the ADF4355-2 PLL handles a frequency range of 55 MHz to 4.4 GHz. Both products incorporate an ultra-low phase noise VCO, providing a 1 MHz offset at 6 GHz and -133 dBc/Hz, boasting noise performance that is at least 2 dB lower than competing products.

In addition to these two products, Analog Devices also released the ADF4155 today, a standalone 8GHz fractional-N PLL. By using these three products, designers can avoid the hassle of using separate high-frequency, high-power PLLs and VCOs when designing high-specification, ultra-wideband applications such as mobile phone base stations, microwave point-to-point (P2P) communication connections, radar systems, and evaluation and measurement instruments. The three newly released PLLs are supported by the latest version 3.6 of the free downloadable software ADIsimPLL™ design tool, enabling PLL/synthesizer designers to achieve peak performance using Analog Devices' industry-leading PLL solution family. The new PLL synthesizer and ADIsimPLL tool were demonstrated at Analog Devices' booth 415, located at the International Microwave Symposium venue, from June 1 to 6.

The outstanding VCO phase noise performance of the ADF5355 and ADF4355-2 is realized through the latest VCO topology and architecture developed in combination with Analog Devices' patented latest SiGe processor. In ultra-wideband RF and microwave communication applications, ultra-low phase noise improves the overall system error rate and increases data throughput, resulting in improved noise immunity and expanded bandwidth range.

In addition, Analog Devices’ new cost-effective ultra-wideband PLL synthesizer IC provides a phase comparison frequency of up to 125 MHz and 38-bit resolution, reducing jitter and allowing for fine step widths. Integration via the latest BiCMOS process significantly reduces package size and power consumption compared to using discrete GaAs. Furthermore, a single PLL can be configured to operate between 55 MHz and 14 GHz, supporting multiple frequency bands while enabling designers to reconfigure system designs more quickly and reduce component inventory.

The three new PLLs are also suitable for designs using other ADI RF components, such as the ADL5801 active mixer used as a clock for the AD9361 RF Fast Transceiver™ oscillator and AD9625 12-bit, 2GSPS A/D converter, the ADL5375 wideband quadrature modulator, and the ADL5380 wideband quadrature IQ demodulator.