Uncompromised Clocking Solution for 16-Bit 2.5Gsps High Performance DAC
Design Note 555 describes using the LTC6946 frequency synthesizer to clock the LTC2000 16-bit 2.5Gsps DAC for optimal phase noise and spurious-free dynamic range performance.
Overview
Design Note 555 presents a high-performance clocking configuration for the LTC2000 16-bit 2.5Gsps DAC. The solution utilizes the LTC6946-3 integer-N frequency synthesizer with an integrated VCO to provide a low-noise clock source directly to the DAC. This combination minimizes additive phase noise and noise spectral density (NSD) while maximizing spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR). The document details the impact of clock jitter on DAC output, provides a reference schematic featuring a 100MHz Crystek CVHD-950 oscillator as a reference, and includes performance analysis for DAC output frequencies up to 1GHz.
Use Cases
- High-Speed Signal Generation
- Wireless Infrastructure
- Radar Systems
- Software Defined Radio
- Test and Measurement Equipment
Topics
Referenced Parts
LTC2000
Linear Technology
The LTC2000 16-bit 2.5Gsps DAC offers excellent AC performance.
LTC6946
Linear Technology
Using the ultralow noise and spurious LTC6946 PLL synthesizer as a clock source for the LTC2000
LTC6946-3
Linear Technology
LTC6946-3 ... Figure 1. LTC6946 Driving the LTC2000
LTC2000
Maxim
LTC2000 maximizes system performance (Figure 1).
| CVHD-950-100.000 | Crystek | *CRYSTEK CVHD-950-100.000 100MHz OSCILLATOR |
| LTC2000 | Linear Technology | The LTC2000 16-bit 2.5Gsps DAC offers excellent AC performance. |
| LTC6946 | Linear Technology | Using the ultralow noise and spurious LTC6946 PLL synthesizer as a clock source for the LTC2000 |
| LTC6946-3 | Linear Technology | LTC6946-3 ... Figure 1. LTC6946 Driving the LTC2000 |
| LTC2000 | Maxim | LTC2000 maximizes system performance (Figure 1). |