CML adds Direct Conversion Receiver to RF range

CML Microcircuits has added a Direct Conversion Receiver IC (DCRx) to its range of RF integrated circuits.

The CMX994 targets the next generation of multi-mode Software Defined Radios (SDR) for wireless data and two-way radio applications.

Its design provides the optimum route for onboard integration, allowing a small RF receiver to be realised with a minimum of external components in zero-IF and low-IF systems.

Enhancements in semiconductor technology have enabled the integration of DCRx, allowing it to become the technology of choice for radio receivers in many applications.

A DCRx mixes the wanted RF signal down to 0Hz in a single quadrature mixing process, using a local oscillator (LO) tuned to the wanted RF channel frequency.

Selectivity filtering and gain can now take place at baseband with practical, low power, analogue and digital circuits.

DCRx also eliminates the need for an image-reject filter.

Key features of the CMX994 include on-chip VCO for VHF applications, an operating range of 100MHz to 1GHz, precision baseband filtering with selectable bandwidths and the smallest PCB area, typically less than 50 per cent of a dual superhet.

Another feature is the single-ended RF connections, meaning no baluns are required.

The small size and flexibility of Direct Conversion make it a key element for the next generation of multi-mode software-defined radios (SDR) for wireless data and digital two-way radio applications.

The CMX994 operates at 3.0-3.6V and comes in a Q4 40 VQFN package.

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