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Harris Semiconductor Announces New 8-bit DACs in its CommLink™ Family of Communications Ics

— New high speed D/A converters couple performance with pin-compatibility

SAN JOSE, CA, Wireless Symposium ‘99, February 23, 1999 – Harris Semiconductor today unveils two new product offerings in its CommLink™ family of high speed, high performance, and low-power CMOS digital-to-analog converters (DACs). The HI5660 and HI5628/6 are manufactured in an advanced CMOS process and by utilizing a segmented architecture, they offer low glitch energy and excellent frequency domain performance. The HI5660 and HI5628/6 are single and dual 8-bit DACs designed specifically for the transmit section of communication systems and instrumentation applications.

For communications, both devices are well-suited for wireless applications such as wireless local loop and I & Q modems, featuring wide spurious-free dynamic range (70 dBc @ 60MSPS) for quality signal synthesis and reconstruction. The HI5628/6’s dual design also optimizes gain matching and board space which is critical to the communications system designer.

For instrumentation applications, the CommLink Family’s pin compatibility also makes these devices ideal for ultrasound, arbitrary waveform generators and test equipment. For instance, the HI5628/6 is pin compatible with the HI5728 (10-Bit Dual D/A) and similarly, the HI5660 is compatible with the HI5760 (10-Bit Single). Additionally, low power consumption, high speed (60-125MSPS) and high integration makes them well-suited for other signal generation applications.

Both the HI5660 and HI5628/6 operate from a single 3-volt or 5-volt supply. The HI5660 consumes 165 mW (5V) and just 27 mW at 3 volts. The HI5628/6 consumes 165mW per channel at 5V and only 54mW when used with a 3-volt supply. To further reduce power consumption, both devices feature a power down mode to reduce standby power needs to less than 1mW. The full scale output current is also adjustable and ranges from 2 to 20mA.

Packaged in 48-lead TQFPs, the HI5628/6IN is available from stock for $5.85 in quantities of 1000’s. The HI5660IB is now available in 28-lead SOIC packages for $3.10 in quantities of 1000’s. To shorten design cycles and reduce time-to-market, Harris offers evaluation boards for these products.

The CommLink D/A converter family is pin compatible at 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-bit resolution levels and 60 to 125 update rates, thus providing a variety of price/performance options. For higher speed versions (165Mbps), contact Harris for availability. By part number, the CommLink Family consists of the single 8-bit HI5660, dual 8-bit HI5628/6, single 10-bit HI5760, dual 10-bit HI5728 & HI5728/6, single 12-bit HI5860, dual 12-bit HI5828 and a single 14-bit DAC, the HI5960.

A comprehensive list of application notes is available on Harris Semiconductor’s homepage at http://www.semi.harris.com/families/daq.htm. You may also contact Harris directly for more information at 1-800-4HARRIS, ext.700.

The CommLink™ family is an example of Harris Semiconductor's commitment to high-speed signal processing as applied to communication applications. In addition to data converters, Harris addresses the entire signal processing chain with a portfolio of linear, mixed-signal and DSP ICs optimized for high-speed communications products.

Harris Corporation's Semiconductor sector manufactures discrete semiconductors and integrated circuits and focuses research and development efforts on innovative new products for the communications and power control markets. Harris Corporation, with worldwide sales of more than $3.9 billion, is an international communications and electronics company that provides a wide range of products and services, such as wireless and personal communications, digital television (HDTV), health care information, automotive electronics, transportation, business information, defense communications and information and Lanier office products.