Electronics Weekly – Intersil Isolated Transceivers, Toshiba Schottky Diodes & More

Analog Devices Power Amplifier Modules

(Image courtesy of Analog Devices.)

Analog Devices has announced a pair of gallium nitride (GaN) power amplifier (PA) modules which offer high power-density levels, thus minimizing size and weight of the subsystem. The HMC7885 and HMC7748 broadband modules target applications operating between 2 GHz and 6 GHz, including test and measurement, communications, military/aerospace surveillance, and radar. The solid-state devices expand ADI's existing line of GaN-based PAs and feature ease of use to accelerate prototyping and system design.

The HMC7885 is a 32-W, hermetically sealed, hybrid amplifier housed in a flange-mount package. This hybrid amplifier typically provides 21 dB of small-signal gain and 45 dBm of saturated RF-output power. The device draws 2.2 A of quiescent current from a 28-V dc supply. Both RF input and output are DC blocked and matched to 50 ohms for ease of use.

The HMC7748 is a multistage Power Amplifier Module which delivers 25 W of saturated output power, accepts inputs up to −8 dBm maximum, and provides small-signal gain of 60 dB. It includes bias sequencing and regulation, and is also internally matched to 50 ohms. This PA draws 0.7 A from a 12-V supply and up to 4 A from a 28-V supply. It includes an enable pin to provide shutdown capability so the amplifier can be turned on and off without cycling the power supplies.

For more information, visit Analog Devices’ website.

Intersil Isolated Transceivers

(Image courtesy of Intersil.)

Intersil has introduced the ISL32704E isolated RS-485 differential bus transceiver, designed to provide 4Mbps bidirectional data transmission for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) networks. The transceiver also delivers electromagnetic interference (EMI) and common-mode transient immunity (CMTI) in a 4mm x 5mm QSOP, providing 600VRMS of working voltage.

The ISL32704E RS-485 leverages giant magnetoresistance (GMR) technology to provide galvanic isolation that keeps the communication bus free from common-mode noise generated in electrically noisy factory and building automation environments. It is suitable for the equipment-to-bus interface in IIoT networks that connect programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to instruments, robots, motor drives, data acquisition and digital I/O modules.

"Our new ISL32704E isolated RS-485 transceiver generates virtually no radiated EMI, solving one of the biggest problems customers experience with their industrial designs," said Philip Chesley, senior vice president of Precision Products at Intersil. "In addition to not requiring any shielding, this transceiver simplifies PCB layout, uses less board space and enhances data transmission reliability and integrity."

For pricing and availability, check out Intersil’s website.

Microsemi Libero SoC Software

(Image courtesy of Microsemi.)

Microsemi has released version 11.8 of its Libero system-on-chip (SoC) software. The system’s tool suite includes the Mentor Graphics ModelSim Simulator, allowing line by line verification of hardware description language (HDL) code. Simulation can be performed at all levels: behavioral (pre-synthesis), structural (post-synthesis), and back-annotated, dynamic simulation.

A graphical user interface enables efficient identification and debug of problems. Libero SoC v11.8 also enables users to simulate in mixed language environments. Libero SoC v11.8 comes with a 60-day evaluation license which can be used to evaluate Microsemi flash-based FPGA and SoC reference designs, tutorials and application notes.

The toolset is available through Microsemi’s website.

Synopsys IC Validator Reaches New Milestone

(Image courtesy of Synopsys.)

Synopsys announced that its IC Validator physical verification product has been successfully used for signoff on more than 100 tapeouts at advanced FinFET nodes. These tapeouts were completed with process technologies from multiple foundries at 16nm, 14nm, 10nm and 7nm.

Synopsys has cooperated closely with foundries for several years to ensure the accuracy of IC Validator's results.

IC Validator, part of the Synopsys Galaxy Design Platform, is a physical verification tool suite including DRC, LVS, programmable electrical rule checks (ERC), dummy fill and DFM enhancement. It enables coding at higher levels of abstraction and is architected for near-linear scalability designed to maximize utilization of mainstream hardware using memory-aware load scheduling and balancing technologies.

For more information, visit Synopsys’ website.

Toshiba Schottky Diodes for Voltage-Boosting Circuits

(Image courtesy of Toshiba.)

Toshiba recently revealed that it has expanded its portfolio of diodes with the addition of six low reverse-current Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs). With a peak reverse voltage of 40V, the CCS15F40, CUS15F40, CBS10F40, CUS10F40, CTS05F40, and CUS05F40 are suitable for voltage boosting circuits in white LED backlights and for liquid crystal displays in mobile devices (including smartphones and tablet PCs).

The CCS15F40 features fast switching due to low total capacitance of 130pF (typ.) @VR=0V. A low reverse current contributes to the low power consumption of the device, making thermal runaways unlikely, even in high-temperature environments.

The entire lineup of surface mounting diode products are available in many package types and sizes, making them suitable for applications where light weight, compact size and high efficiency are a necessity.

More details are available on Toshiba’s website.

Missed the previous Electronics Weekly? Click here.