October 28, 2008 – Pentek introduced its Model 7153 digital down converter (DDC), a four-channel, high-speed digitizer PMC module designed for processing baseband RF or IF signals from a communications receiver. This is the only available product of its kind that employs the new ADS5485 A/D Converter just released by Texas Instruments. Four of these 200 MHz, 16-bit monolithic A/Ds in the front end of the Model 7153 deliver a previously unattainable combination of speed and resolution. In addition, these new A/Ds exhibit a signal-to-noise ratio of 75 dBFS and a spurious-free dynamic range of 87 dBc at a 70 MHz input frequency.
Two- or Four-Channel DDC
The Model 7153 DDC offers two modes of operation. The two-channel DDC mode sacrifices two DDC channels to boost the maximum decimation to 65,536 and extend the lower bandwidth limit down to 3 kHz. The four-channel DDC mode provides an independently programmable decimation range from two to 256 on each DDC, covering signal bandwidths from about 700 kHz to 90 MHz. Switching between modes is invoked through firmware. In either mode, the user can independently select any one of the four A/Ds as the source for each DDC channel.
With four A/Ds and four wideband DDCs, the Model 7153 is ideal for high-bandwidth radar and communication systems such as wideband CDMA, UMTS, SRW, LTE and 4G wireless.
Built-in Beamforming Capabilities
In applications such as radar, direction-finding and diversity receivers, it is essential to synchronize multiple channels, perform digital downconversion, control the gain and the phase delay of each channel and then perform a summation of the DDC outputs. All of these critical beamforming capabilities are included in the Model 7153. In addition to synchronous sampling and DDC for all four channels, the Model 7153 provides independent control of gain and phase for each DDC and includes a summation block for the four DDC outputs.For larger multi-channel systems, multiple Model 7153s can be synchronized via the front-panel LVPECL clock and sync bus. The DDC summation block includes high-speed serial links to the XMC connector for input and output ports.
This supports daisy-chain summation across multiple modules to greatly simplify beamforming applications having eight or more antennas. Fully developed on-board IP and provided firmware minimizes system integration efforts.
Power Measurement
The Model 7153 has four embedded power meters that continuously monitor the average output power of each DDC channel. The power meters are readable by the system processor for measuring and detecting signal energy and for implementing AGC loops. The power meters are capable of interrupting the system processor if the power level goes above or below programmable thresholds. Since the DDCs can be readily tuned across a frequency spectrum of interest, this feature simplifies critical signal-intelligence applications such as a radio scanner searching for energy. Pentek supports the Model 7153 with its ReadyFlow board-support libraries that are ported for Window, Linux and VxWorks operating systems.
Pricing and Availability
In its native form, the Model 7153 is a PMC module. However, it is also available in PCI format for installation in a desktop PC or on an Intel-based blade server, as well as in 3U and 6U cPCI formats. The Model 7153 will soon be available for PCI Express systems. The Model 7153 PMC module starts at $12,500 for the hardware.
Delivery is 10 to 12 weeks ARO." Building upon its Model 7150 hardware platform, Pentek has developed and installed full-function FPGA IP cores to create a series of turnkey solutions addressing a variety of applications. As the third member of this series, the Model 7153 extends both upper and lower ranges of signal bandwidths using a two- or four-channel DDC core," said Rodger Hosking, vice president of Pentek.
About Pentek
Pentek, Inc. manufactures and markets innovative embedded systems and boards to design engineers and is a certified ISO 9001:2000 quality management company. Pentek offers powerful VME, VXS, PMC, XMC, cPCI and PCI boards and systems for data acquisition, software radio and digital signal processing featuring Texas Instruments DSPs, Freescale PowerPCs and Xilinx FPGAs. Pentek's I/O includes A/Ds, D/As, FPGAs, digital transceivers, installed IP cores and more. Pentek offers strong DSP software support and equips all products with high-performance I/O including gigabit serial interfaces.
