NORWOOD, Mass. — Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI) collaborated with industry leading programmable-logic vendor Xilinx Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX) to introduce a radio architecture development platform that helps multi-carrier cellular base station manufacturers reduce engineering resources and improve time to market. ADI’s MS-DPD (mixed-signal, digital pre-distortion) development platform simplifies the wireless infrastructure design process by allowing OEMs to quickly assess and reprogram the radio to remove non-linearities from the transmit paths and enhance radio power efficiency. 

ADI’s MS-DPD platform incorporates a high-performance RF and mixed-signal transmit and observation receiver chain supporting 2G, 3G and emerging 4G wireless protocols. Xilinx’s Virtex-6 FPGA ML605 (field-programmable gate array) Evaluation Kit connects to the MS-DPD board through an industry-standard VITA-57 FMC connector. Using this system, the FPGA can be used to implement required radio algorithms leveraging the ADI signal chain available on the MS-DPD. 

“In collaboration with Xilinx, customers now have everything needed to demonstrate the transmit section of a base station radio,” said Martin Cotter, segment director, communications infrastructure, Analog Devices. “ADI has combined high performance transceiver components into a single development platform for speeding the evaluation of critical DPD algorithms running on Xilinx’s Virtex-6 ML605 Evaluation Kit. “The MS-DPD platform allows our customers to focus on differentiating their DPD algorithm from their competitors’ solutions.” 

With the highest dynamic performance in its class, the multi-carrier MS-DPD development platform simplifies component selection and board layout to make it easier for designers of multi-carrier GSM and multi-standard SDR (software-defined radio) base stations to develop FPGA-based DPD algorithms. FPGAs also provide the flexibility to optimize the solution that competing fixed-function ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) cannot, while providing a highly integrated, low-cost, low-power and high-reliability solution to present day base station needs.   

“In collaborating with Analog Devices, we have been able to create a more modular approach to radio development, leveraging the new industry-standard FMC connectors,” said Manuel Uhm

director, Wireless Communications Business, Xilinx. “Customers are able to rapidly evaluate Xilinx’s crest factor reduction (CFR) and DPD algorithms in conjunction with ADI’s high-performance transmitter solutions, saving considerable engineering time. Furthermore, customers can leverage the Virtex-6 ML605 FPGA Evaluation Kit and MS-DPD to develop and evaluate their own IP.” 

ADI’s Development Platform Components

ADI’s MS-DPD development board includes more than 12 Analog Devices RF and mixed-signal components, including the recently announced AD9122 1.2-GSPS DAC (digital-to-analog converter) andADL5375 quadrature modulator, in addition to amplifiers, mixers, clock ICs, and PLL (phase-locked-loop) circuits. The observation path includes the AD9230 12-bit, 250-MSPS ADC (analog-to-digital converter) to maximize the bandwidth available for DPD. 

Availability and Pricing

MS-DPD development boards are available today to qualified customers from ADI for $3,995 each. The Virtex-6 FPGA ML605 Evaluation Kit is available today from Xilinx and is priced at $1,995. For more information and to contact Xilinx click here http://www.xilinx.com/ml605. For more information and to contact ADI click here. 

About Analog Devices

Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged throughout the industry as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating over 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices’ common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “ADI” and is included in the S&P 500 Index. http://www.analog.com.