AD9235
Data Sheet
The internal voltage reference can be pin-strapped to fixed
values of 0.5 V or 1.0 V, or adjusted within the same range as
discussed in the Internal Reference Connection section. Maxi-
mum SNR performance is achieved with the AD9235 set to the
largest input span of 2 V p-p. The relative SNR degradation is
3 dB when changing from 2 V p-p mode to 1 V p-p mode.
differential transformer coupling is the recommended input
configuration, as shown in Figure 36.
AVDD
22Ω
VIN+
15pF
AD9235
2Vp-p
49.9Ω
22Ω
The SHA may be driven from a source that keeps the signal
peaks within the allowable range for the selected reference volt-
age. The minimum and maximum common-mode input levels
are defined as:
VIN–
AGND
1kΩ
15pF
0.1µF
1kΩ
Figure 36. Differential Transformer-Coupled Configuration
VCMMIN = VREF/2
The signal characteristics must be considered when selecting a
transformer. Most RF transformers saturate at frequencies
below a few MHz, and excessive signal power can also cause
core saturation, which leads to distortion.
VCMMAX = (AVDD + VREF)/2
The minimum common-mode input level allows the AD9235 to
accommodate ground-referenced inputs.
Single-Ended Input Configuration
Although optimum performance is achieved with a differential
input, a single-ended source may be driven into VIN+ or VIN–.
In this configuration, one input accepts the signal, while the
opposite input should be set to midscale by connecting it to an
appropriate reference. For example, a 2 V p-p signal may be
applied to VIN+ while a 1 V reference is applied to VIN–. The
AD9235 then accepts an input signal varying between 2 V and
0 V. In the single-ended configuration, distortion performance
may degrade significantly as compared to the differential case.
However, the effect is less noticeable at lower input frequencies and
in the lower speed grade models (AD9235-40 and AD9235-20).
A single-ended input may provide adequate performance in
cost-sensitive applications. In this configuration, there is degra-
dation in SFDR and in distortion performance due to the large
input common-mode swing. However, if the source
impedances on each input are matched, there should be little
effect on SNR performance. Figure 37 details a typical single-
ended input configuration.
1kΩ
AVDD
VIN+
0.33µF
22Ω
2Vp-p
49.9Ω
1kΩ
1kΩ
15pF
Differential Input Configurations
AD9235
As previously detailed, optimum performance is achieved while
driving the AD9235 in a differential input configuration. For
baseband applications, the AD8138 differential driver provides
excellent performance and a flexible interface to the ADC. The
output common-mode voltage of the AD8138 is easily set to
AVDD/2, and the driver can be configured in a Sallen-Key filter
topology to provide band limiting of the input signal.
22Ω
VIN–
AGND
10µF
0.1µF
15pF
1kΩ
Figure 37. Single-Ended Input Configuration
CLOCK INPUT CONSIDERATIONS
Typical high speed ADCs use both clock edges to generate a
variety of internal timing signals, and as a result, may be sensi-
tive to clock duty cycle. Commonly a 5% tolerance is required
on the clock duty cycle to maintain dynamic performance char-
acteristics. The AD9235 contains a clock duty cycle stabilizer
(DCS) that retimes the nonsampling edge, providing an internal
clock signal with a nominal 50% duty cycle. This allows a wide
range of clock input duty cycles without affecting the perfor-
mance of the AD9235. As shown in Figure 30, noise and distor-
tion performance are nearly flat over a 30% range of duty cycle.
49.9Ω
1Vp-p
499Ω
AVDD
VIN+
22Ω
499Ω
523Ω
1kΩ
15pF
AD9235
AD8138
499Ω
22Ω
VIN–
AGND
0.1µF
1kΩ
15pF
Figure 35. Differential Input Configuration Using the AD8138
The duty cycle stabilizer uses a delay-locked loop (DLL) to
create the nonsampling edge. As a result, any changes to the
sampling frequency require approximately 100 clock cycles to
allow the DLL to acquire and lock to the new rate.
At input frequencies in the second Nyquist zone and above, the
performance of most amplifiers is not adequate to achieve the
true performance of the AD9235. This is especially true in IF
undersampling applications where frequencies in the 70 MHz to
100 MHz range are being sampled. For these applications,
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