company blog about ADI ADF5610BCCZ 57MHz Microwave Wideband Synthesizer With Integrated VCO

ADI ADF5610BCCZ 57MHz Microwave Wideband Synthesizer With Integrated VCO

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd., a renowned supplier of electronic components, now offers the ADF5610BCCZ microwave broadband frequency synthesiser from ADI. This product integrates a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and operates across an exceptionally wide frequency range from 57 MHz to 14.6 GHz.

Its exceptional phase noise performance (as low as -114 dBc/Hz at 10 GHz with a 100 kHz offset) and RMS jitter below 38 fs make the ADF5610BCCZ an ideal choice for demanding applications in aerospace, military defence, 5G infrastructure, and test and measurement.

【ADF5610BCCZ Product Overview】

The ADF5610BCCZ is a highly integrated microwave broadband frequency synthesiser that ingeniously combines a phase-locked loop (PLL) and voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) within a single chip.

This integrated design eliminates the need for additional circuitry and look-up tables, significantly simplifying system architecture.

Compared to traditional solutions, the ADF5610BCCZ reduces power consumption by 50% while offering a smaller package size, effectively conserving valuable PCB space.

【ADF5610BCCZ Core Features】

Extremely Wide Frequency Coverage

The ADF5610BCCZ supports an exceptionally broad operating frequency range spanning eight octaves.

Its VCO fundamental frequency ranges from 3.65 GHz to 7.3 GHz. By doubling the fundamental frequency via the single-ended output (RFOUT), it provides frequencies from 7.3 GHz to 14.6 GHz.

The differential output supports the full frequency range from 57 MHz to 14.6 GHz using 1/2/4/8/16/32/64/128 divider settings, meeting the requirements of virtually all high-frequency applications.

Exceptional Phase Noise Performance

The ADF5610BCCZ achieves nominal open-loop phase noise as low as -114 dBc/Hz at 10 GHz with a 100 kHz offset.

This industry-leading phase noise performance minimises the blocker effect, enhancing receiver sensitivity and transmitter spectral purity.

The normalised in-band phase noise figure (FOM) reaches -232 dBc/Hz (integer) and -229 dBc/Hz (fractional) in high current mode.

Rapid Frequency Switching with Low Jitter

The ADF5610BCCZ achieves a frequency settling time of less than 40 μs using only a passive loop filter, with its internal state machine; when paired with an appropriate loop filter, its lock time can be less than 50 μs.

Integrated RMS jitter below 38 fs (integrated limit from 1 kHz to 100 MHz) makes it highly suitable for demanding converter clock applications.

Flexible Power Output and Control

Programmable output power: RFOUT power is rated at 5 dBm, with differential dividers (PDIVOUT/NDIVOUT) rated at 2 dBm.

Adjustable output power: RFOUT gain control offers approximately 3 dB (1.5 dB steps), while differential port control provides approximately 5 dB (2.5 dB steps).

Low-power design: Consumes less than 700 mW in low-current mode with output dividers disabled; power consumption remains just over 1 W even under worst-case conditions (high-performance mode with output dividers set to 128-division)

【ADF5610BCCZ Breakthrough Technology Architecture】

When used with an external loop filter and external reference voltage source, the ADF5610BCCZ enables fractional-N or integer-N phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizers.

Its wideband microwave voltage-controlled oscillator design enables operation across a single RF output port spanning 7300 MHz to 14600 MHz.

The ADF5610BCCZ features a series of dividers with differential frequency outputs supporting operation across the 57 MHz to 14600 MHz frequency range.

Developed using ADI's proprietary advanced SiGe BiCMOS process, the ADF5610BCCZ delivers high modulation bandwidth and low bit error rate.

The voltage range for analogue and digital power supplies to the PLL circuitry is 3.1 V to 3.5 V, while the VCO power supply operates between 4.75 V and 5.25 V.

The charge pump supply voltage can be extended up to 3.6 V to achieve improved band overlap and an extended upper frequency range.

【ADF5610BCCZ Flexible Configuration Features】

The ADF5610BCCZ incorporates an integrated VCO with a fundamental frequency ranging from 3650 MHz to 7300 MHz.

These frequencies are internally multiplied and routed to the RFOUT+ pin. Additional differential outputs permit division of the multiplied VCO frequency by 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, or 128, enabling users to generate RF output frequencies as low as 57 MHz.

All on-chip registers are controllable via a simple three-wire serial port interface (SPI).

To conserve power, the divider module may be disabled via the SPI interface when not required.

Similarly, output power for both single-ended and differential outputs may be programmed through VCO register settings.

The ADF5610BCCZ also incorporates multiple shutdown modes for both the VCO and PLL circuits.

【ADF5610BCCZ Application Domains】

The ADF5610BCCZ's exceptional performance renders it indispensable across multiple high-end domains:

Aerospace and Defence

In aerospace and defence applications, equipment must maintain stable, reliable performance under extreme environmental conditions.

The ADF5610BCCZ maintains frequency lock across the -40°C to +85°C temperature range (locked and leave capability), coupled with its outstanding phase noise performance and wide frequency range, making it ideal for radar systems, electronic warfare equipment, and military communications systems.

Wireless Communications Infrastructure

The advancement of 5G and future communication technologies drives increasing demand for higher bandwidth and data rates.

The ADF5610BCCZ provides an ideal local oscillator (LO) solution for microwave point-to-point links, wireless infrastructure, and satellite communications.

Its low phase noise characteristics enhance system signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bit error rate (BER), directly improving communication quality.

Test and Measurement Equipment

Within electronic test and measurement, the utmost precision and stability of signals are paramount.

When the ADF5610BCCZ's 24-bit fractional resolution is utilised in conjunction with its precise frequency mode functionality, it enables the generation of zero (0 Hz) error frequencies, delivering unprecedented frequency accuracy for high-end test equipment.

Satellite and Microwave Communications

For satellite terminals and very small aperture terminal (VSAT) applications, the ADF5610BCCZ's high output power and excellent spurious performance enable direct driving of active mixers without additional amplification circuitry. This simplifies system design and enhances reliability.