ADI Launches Multi‑Channel MxFE RF Converter Platform, Tripling Call Capacity for 4G/5G Radios

Analog Devices has unveiled the AD9081/2 multi‑channel, mixed‑signal front‑end (MxFE) platform, a breakthrough in RF data conversion that seamlessly blends high‑performance analog and digital signal processing. Designed for 4G LTE and 5G mmWave radios, the platform enables manufacturers to pack multiband capabilities into the same footprint as single‑band units, effectively tripling the call capacity of today’s base stations.

By shifting frequency translation and filtering from the analog to the digital domain, the AD9081/2 offers unprecedented software configurability, allowing designers to tailor radio performance to exact requirements. This flexibility extends beyond cellular equipment, supporting wide‑bandwidth applications such as 5G test and measurement, broadband cable video streaming, phased‑array radar systems, and low‑Earth‑orbit satellite networks.

The AD9081 incorporates eight RF data converters, while the AD9082 houses six, all fabricated on a 28 nm CMOS process. Both devices deliver an industry‑leading instantaneous signal bandwidth of up to 2.4 GHz, which simplifies hardware design by reducing the number of frequency translation stages and easing filter constraints. The resulting high integration density cuts printed‑circuit‑board area by 60 % compared with competing solutions.

Embedded DSP functions on the MxFE platform let users program filters and digital up‑/down‑conversion blocks to meet specific bandwidth needs. This integration yields a ten‑fold power reduction relative to architectures that rely on external FPGA filtering, freeing processor resources or enabling the use of more cost‑effective FPGA solutions.