Picosecond Pulse Labs Announces Phase-Matched BALUN For ADCs And Differential Testing

Boulder, CO -- Picosecond Pulse Labs, Inc. (PSPL) announced its new Model 5310, phase-matched BALUN at the 2007 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium. The PSPL Model 5310 uses proprietary technology that provides exceptional phase and amplitude matching (0.5 degrees phase match from 500 MHz to 2 GHz, 0.1dB amplitude match from 100 MHz to 3.5 GHz). This performance covers a frequency range that is approximately double that of the transformer-based BALUN. The PSPL BALUN structure differs from traditional transformer-based BALUNs in that it splits the signal into two paths with a resistive broadband power divider and it utilizes a proprietary inverter design comprised of a hybrid of coax cable and conventional transformer designs.

BALUNs and single-ended to differential conversions are key functions in many electronics applications. For instance, Analog-Digital-Converters (ADCs) are designed to be used with differential inputs. This BALUN is suitable for use with high-speed ADC's because good phase matching is necessary to suppress undesirable harmonics.

Picosecond CTO, Clayton Smith states, "As the performance of high speed ADCs continue to improve, the need for precise single ended to differential signal conversion grows. The 5310 represents the state of the art in broadband BALUNs for ADC front ends."

The Model 5310 also plays an important role in test and measurement. Differential test equipment (signal sources, vector-network analyzers, oscilloscopes) is typically expensive and frequently unavailable. Therefore, an accurate means of single-ended to differential conversion and vice versa is very useful for the characterization of differential signals and components with more commonly available single-ended test equipment. Good matching of phase and amplitude produces strong signals for applications such as serial data testing where distortions show up as artifacts in eye diagram and similar measurements.

SOURCE: Picosecond Pulse Labs, Inc. (PSPL)