STDA026 March   2026 AFE7950-SP

 

  1.   1
  2.   Abstract
  3.   Trademarks
  4. 1Introduction
    1. 1.1 Overview of Modern Satellite Communication Systems
    2. 1.2 Presentation of the AFE7950 as an Integrated RF Design
  5. 2Technical Advantages of AFE7950 for SATCOM Applications
    1. 2.1 Spectral Flexibility and Agility
      1. 2.1.1 Wide Frequency Range (600MHz - 12GHz)
      2. 2.1.2 Configurable Bandwidth
      3. 2.1.3 Significance of Frequency Hopping for SATCOM
      4. 2.1.4 JESD204B and JESD204C Flexibility
        1. 2.1.4.1 Subclass 1 Synchronization
        2. 2.1.4.2 Lane Reduction for Power Savings
        3. 2.1.4.3 Recommended JESD Encoding
    2. 2.2 Advantages for SATCOM System Design
    3. 2.3 Radiation Tolerance
      1. 2.3.1 AFE7950-SP: Space-Qualified Version
        1. 2.3.1.1 Total Ionizing Dose (TID)
        2. 2.3.1.2 Single Event Latch-Up (SEL)
        3. 2.3.1.3 Single Event Functional Interrupt (SEFI)
        4. 2.3.1.4 Radiation Lot Acceptance Testing
        5. 2.3.1.5 Outgassing ASTM E595 Compliance
      2. 2.3.2 Benefits for SATCOM
    4. 2.4 Power Consumption Optimization
      1. 2.4.1 Power Mode Configuration
        1. 2.4.1.1 Rx Only Mode
          1. 2.4.1.1.1 Use Case of Rx Mode
          2. 2.4.1.1.2 Benefits of Rx Mode
        2. 2.4.1.2 Typical Operation Mode
        3. 2.4.1.3 4T4R FDD Mode
          1. 2.4.1.3.1 4T4R FDD Mode Use Case
      2. 2.4.2 Power-Saving Strategies
        1. 2.4.2.1 Low Power Operation Mode
          1. 2.4.2.1.1 Standby Mode
          2. 2.4.2.1.2 Sleep Mode
      3. 2.4.3 Benefits of Sleep and Standby Mode for SATCOM
  6. 3Conclusion
  7. 4References

2.1 Spectral Flexibility and Agility

The AFE7950 is a high‑performance, multichannel transceiver that consolidates four RF‑sampling digital audio converter (DAC) transmitter paths, four RF‑sampling analog-to-digital converter (ADC) receiver paths, and two RF‑sampling ADC feedback paths on one die.

Each receiver (RX) channel incorporates a digital step attenuator (DSA), followed by a 3-GSPS, non-interleaved, RF-sampling ADC. Every channel also includes an analog peak-power detector, several digital power detector blocks for external or internal autonomous AGC control, and an RF-overload detector for device reliability protection. The ADC output feeds a flexible single-band or dual-band digital down converter (DDC) that reduces the sample rate to the bands of interest.

The feedback (FB) chains are often used as the observation paths of the power amplifier (PA) outputs for an external linearization DPD engine, but can also be used as additional receivers. The FB ADCs are identical to the RX ADCs.

Each transmitter (TX) channel features a single-band or dual-band digital up-converter (DUC) that can drive 12 GSPS RF-sampling DACs, followed by a DSA block.

In single-band DUC or DDC mode, each up-conversion chain and down-conversion chain integrates 16 independent numerically-controlled oscillators (NCOs), enabling rapid switching between RF frequencies while preserving the phase of any idle NCO. In dual-band DUC or DDC mode, each chain provides two NCOs, allowing rapid switching between two RF frequencies with the same phase-coherent behavior.