Digital step attenuators target broadband, CATV apps

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.® (IDT®) (NASDAQ: IDTI) expanded its RF portfolio with the addition of a new family of digital step attenuators (DSAs) optimized for the demanding requirements of the broadband and CATV markets. The ultra-high-linearity 75-ohm DSAs feature IDT’s industry-first Glitch-Free™ technology for enhanced performance.

“DSAs provide gain control in a wide range of applications including CMTS, fiber distribution networks, HFC distribution nodes, and CATV infrastructure and data network equipment,” said Chris Stephens, general manager of IDT’s RF division. “IDT’s new DSAs address the increased data rates required for the data-intensive applications of today and tomorrow, including the latest DOCSIS 3.1 requirements.”

The F1975 and F1977 deliver very low insertion loss and distortion, and have much higher power handling with pinpoint attenuation accuracy than competing devices, giving customers the performance needed to achieve higher data rates in their system. The Glitch-Free capabilities help to ensure low overshoot and ringing during MSB transitions, and the 75-ohm impedance offers ease of integration in the target applications. Additionally, the F1977 is the industry’s first monolithic silicon, 75-ohm Glitch-Free, 7-bit DSA, enabling customers to achieve 0.25dB gain control while maintaining industry-leading RF performance.

“The implementation of DOCSIS 3.1 and continued expansion of fiber networks to increase data rates creates an inflection point that requires RF components with much higher performance than before,” Stephens said. “IDT’s technology and core innovations are ideal for meeting the higher-performance requirements of these new systems.”

F1975 and F1977 Parameters

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IDT led the industry with the first DSA products incorporating Glitch-Free technology. Introduced and patented by IDT in 2012, Glitch-Free technology protects amplifiers and analog to digital converters from damage during transitions between attenuation states.

The F1975 and F1977 are fully production released with inventory available at authorized IDT resellers for sampling and production. The F1975, priced at $1.16 each in a lot of 10,000, is offered in a compact 4 x 4 mm 20-TQFN package; the F1977, priced at $1.45 each in a lot of 10,000, comes in a compact 5 x 5 mm 32-QFN package.

IDT
www.idt.com