Low-Power, Ultra-High Linearity IQ Modulator from IDT for Next-Generation Wireless Communications

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT^®), the Analog and Digital Company™ delivering essential mixed-signal semiconductor solutions, today introduced a new IQ modulator that delivers the industry’s lowest power consumption and highest linearity for today’s wireless products.

The IDTF1650 interfaces directly to high-performance dual digital-to-analog convertors (DACs), offering up to 50 percent reduced power consumption, with IM3 distortion decreased by up to 12 dB, compared to competitive offerings. The device is ideal for high-performance LTE multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communications systems that require ultra-low power consumption.

In typical multi-mode, multi-carrier base station transmitters, the modulator has limited linearity and high power consumption, which negatively impact a system’s adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) and power consumption budgets in a digital pre-distortion environment. With its embedded Zero-Distortion™ technology, the IDTF1650 is designed to eliminate these penalties, enabling engineers to achieve a very high second order intercept point (OIP2) [60 dBm] and third order intercept point (OIP3) [35 dBm] with very low power consumption [500 mW]

“The IDTF1650 joins our fast-growing portfolio of advanced RF devices designed to help our customers develop market-leading products,” said Dave Shepard, vice president and general manager of the Timing and RF Division at IDT. “Addressing one of the biggest challenges engineers face today, our new low-power IQ modulator enables engineers to hit increasingly tight power and performance budgets.”

A MIMO implementation with the IDTF1650 will result in up to 4 watts of power consumption savings, better spectral performance, and improved error vector magnitude, or EVM. The device offers ultra-high linearity, features 3dB of power gain with very low added noise and interfaces directly with popular JESD204B and DDR DACs.