1.5-GHz ADC fits high-bandwidth VME applications

Targeting signal intelligence, laser ranging, and other high-bandwidth applications, Echotek's new 6U, single-slot VME 64X board features one or two channels of high-speed, 8-bit analog-to-digital conversion along with programmable gate arrays for user-specific signal-processing algorithms (Picture). The Maxim (www.maxim-ic.com) MAX108 8-bit ADCs with 100-MHz to 1.5-GHz sample rates convert the ECAD-X-081500's analog inputs.

The A/D converters demonstrate spurious-free dynamic ranges greater than 45 dB at full scale. In addition, the converters support direct digitization for IFs as high as 1.4 GHz. Front-panel connectors capture analog-input, analog-to-digital-clock, synchronization, trigger, 128-bit-auxiliary-data, and LVDS-input signals. The device outputs converted data through dual Race++ interfaces, the LVDS output port, or the VME 64X interface. Each channel has a 4M-sample FIFO buffer along with as many as three dedicated FPGAs for user-programmable signal processing. Prices for the ECAD-X-081500 start at $13,000 (one).

Echotek Corp, 1-256-721-1911, www.echotek.com.