IDT targets comms systems with flexible RF mixers

Integrated Device Technology (IDT) has introduced a new VersaMixer family of ultra-wide bandwidth RF mixers, providing improved levels of flexibility advanced features for RF-based communications systems.

The VersaMixer F1192 and F1792 devices have been designed for any radio system requiring high performance and low power operating between 400MHz and 3800MHz. The F1192 is a dual-channel RF mixer, while the F1792 is single-channel.

Both offer configurable-gain operation for use in a wide array of radio card applications, including 2G-to-5G multimode remote radio units, backhaul systems, and public safety infrastructure. Coupled with ultra-wide bandwidth, this gives radio system designers greater flexibility to optimise the receive system gain, noise, and linearity budget for virtually any application. Low power consumption — typically just 835mW total for two channels — supports high-density PCB layout design in modern remote radio units and small cells.

The VersaMixer devices are able to function over the entire operating bandwidth without any changes in external components. This means that a single bill of materials can support various RF and IF operating bandwidths, easing integration into different systems, and keeping a check on costs and time to market.

Based on IDT’s FlatNoise technology, the configurable gain feature keeps the noise figure relatively unaffected as the gain setting is reduced and the Input IP3 and Input P1dB are actually increased. Gain is controlled via 2 parallel pins with settling times of < 100 ns, allowing for dynamic adjustment of gain to maximize performance “on-the-fly” if the radio designer desires.