For applications such as wireless infrastructure, microwave point-to-point links, electronic test and measurement, and satellite terminals

Analog Devices has released the ADF5356, a next-generation 13.6 GHz broadband synthesizer with an integrated voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO).

This product was developed for applications such as wireless infrastructure, microwave point-to-point links, electronic test and measurement, and satellite terminals. It has performance similar to the well-known ADF4356 with a 6.8 GHz operating range.

The ADF5356 can be used as a multi-band synthesizer because it generates RF output from 53.125 MHz to 13.6 GHz without any difference within the frequency range. Since there is no need to use multiple VCO/synthesizer products for each band, the number of components, board space, and power consumption can be reduced.

The ADF5356 maintains its performance while providing a wide bandwidth range, as it supports excellent PLL figures of merit (FOM), ultra-low VCO phase noise, integer boundary spur (IBS) and phase-detector spur, and high phase comparison frequencies.



Based on ADI's SiGe BiCMOS process, the ADF5356 and ADF4356 support industry-leading VCO phase noise performance (-113 dBc/Hz at 5 GHz with a 100 kHz offset), integrated rms jitter of only 97 fsec (1 kHz to 20 MHz), and integer channel noise floor performance of -227 dBc/Hz. The phase detection spurious level is less than -85 dBc (typ), and the phase detection comparison frequency is up to 125 MHz.

Both RF synthesizers can be easily integrated into designs and receive full support from ADIsimPLL. ADIsimPLL is ADI’s comprehensive design and simulation tool that allows for the convenient evaluation of various design considerations, such as phase noise, lock time, and jitter. These products are designed to be pin-compatible with ADI’s existing ADF5355 and ADF4355 products to provide designers with an upgrade path.

The ADF5356 and ADF4356 are designed to operate in the range of -40°C to +85°C. It operates not only with standard 3.3V analog and digital power supplies but also with 5V charge pumps and VCO power supplies, and provides compatibility with 1.8V logic levels.