Product category: Communications ICs (Wired)
News Release from: Zarlink Semiconductor | Subject: ZL40813/14/18 prescalers
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 11 December 2002

High-frequency boost for prescalers

Three new prescaler chips operate at 13.5GHz - the highest frequency reach ever for single-chip prescalers

Zarlink Semiconductor has added three prescaler chips operating at 13.5GHz - the highest frequency reach ever for single-chip prescalers - to its portfolio of high-frequency analogue communications devices. Zarlink's ZLTM40813/14/18 prescalers convert RF signals operating at up to 13.5GHz to lower frequencies.

With these devices, designers can, for the first time, use low-cost PLL (phase locked loop) synchronisation circuits to control and modulate ultra-high frequency RF signals.

"Our prescalers let designers simplify and enhance the performance of RF equipment that operates in high-frequency segments of the radio band", said Peter Minett, Product Line Marketing Manager, High-Performance Analogue Group, Zarlink Semiconductor.

"These devices will help lower the cost of a wide range of broadband communications products".

Zarlink's 13.5GHz prescalers are targeted for use in VSAT (very small aperture terminal) satellite receivers and transmitters, point-to-point microwave networking equipment, broadband LMDSs (local multipoint distribution systems), radar systems, instrumentation and measurement equipment, and other types of radios.

With today's product launch, Zarlink has now introduced 11 analogue devices since unveiling its high-performance analogue strategy in October 2002.

Zarlink's analogue chips are fabricated in the company's 25GHz complementary silicon bipolar technology, one of the world's most advanced bipolar processes.

Zarlink's ZL40813/14/18 devices achieve industry-leading ratings for phase noise and power, which helps RF equipment produce clear, crisp signals.

The prescalers convert signals operating at between 10.5 and 13.5GHz to lower-frequency signals in fixed division ratios.

The ZL40813 divides high-frequency signals by eight, the ZL40814 divides them by 16 and the ZL40818 divides them by four.

The prescalers display outstanding ratings for phase noise.

At offset frequencies of 10kHz, the phase noise of the chips when processing 12GHz signals is typically better than -140dBc/Hz.

The chips are also very power efficient, operating on supplies of only 5V.

During normal operating conditions, the devices draw as little as 460mW - less than the consumption of lower-frequency prescalers from other vendors.

In many applications, Zarlink's new prescalers can be used in combination with the company's existing portfolio of low-noise frequency synthesizers, the SP5000 series, which operates in the 1.0-3.0GHz frequency range.

Zarlink's 13.5GHz prescalers are fabricated in the company's proven complementary silicon bipolar process.

The process uses power supplies of only 5V, features high-speed NPN structures operating at 25GHz and PNP structures operating at 20GHz.

Complementary silicon bipolar is the preferred process for high-performance analogue devices because it delivers low phase noise.

Many of the high-performance analogue chips from other vendors are built using more expensive technologies, such as SiGe (silicon germanium) and GaAs (gallium arsenide).

Zarlink's 13.5GHz prescalers are in volume production.

They are offered in 8-pin SOIC or exposed pad SOIC packages, and supported by evaluation boards.

In 1000-off quantities, the ZL40813/14/18 chips cost US $9.00 each.

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