Microwave Prescaler Works With Little Power

Prescaling functions for microwave frequency synthesis applications at up to 4.0 GHz can be performed by the PE3501 high-frequency CMOS divide-by-2 prescaler. The chip has a total power consumption of only 7.85 mA at an operating voltage of 3V. Its low phase noise performance leaves it well suited for such applications as digital broadcast system tuners, microwave instrumentation and high-frequency communications systems. The device provides a divide-by-2 prescaling function across a frequency range of from 1500 MHz to 4.0 GHz. It allows microwave frequency synthesis when combined with low-frequency PLLs. The minimum output power over the frequency range if -9.5 dBm at an input power level of 0 dBm. Offered in an 8-pin TSSOP package, the chip is priced at $2.32 each/10,000.