ADC does S-band direct digitisation in space systems

The EV12AD550 1.5GSample/s analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) from e2v is designed for a high dynamic range at 4.5GHz and S-band direct digitisation in space systems.

It removes the need for down conversion stages reducing size and power consumption of the overall system.

The design of what the company calls synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth observation systems, for example, will be able to operate this ADC at up to 5.5GHz without the need for down conversion.

The EV12AD550 is the first S-band ADC to feature chain synchronisation for electronic steering which will be used in antenna array and digital beamforming systems.

“The growing demand for electronically adapting satellite ground coverage makes chain synchronisation crucial; without this, antennas have to be directed using mechanics, meaning coverage is predetermined,” said e2v.