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Circuit Note
CN-0374
Devices Connected/Referenced
Circuits from the Lab® reference designs are engineered and
tested for quick and easy system integration to help solve today’s
analog, mixed-signal, and RF design challenges. For more
information and/or support, visit www.analog.com/CN0374.
ADL5380
400 MHz to 6000 MHz Quadrature
Demodulator
ADA4940-2
Ultralow Power, Low Distortion ADC Driver
AD7903
Dual Differential 16-Bit, 1 MSPS PulSAR
12.0 mW ADC
ADR435
Ultralow Noise XFET 5.0 V Voltage Reference
with Current Sink and Source Capability
RF-to-Bits Solution Offers Precise Phase and Magnitude Data to 6 GHz
EVALUATION AND DESIGN SUPPORT
CIRCUIT FUNCTION AND BENEFITS
Circuit Evaluation Boards
ADL5380 Evaluation Board (ADL5380-EVALZ)
ADA4940-2 Evaluation Board (ADA4940-2ACP-EBZ)
AD7903 Evaluation Board (EVAL-AD7903SDZ)
System Demonstration Platform (EVAL-SDP-CB1Z)
Design and Integration Files
Schematics, Layout Files, Bill of Materials
The circuit shown in Figure 1 precisely converts a 400 MHz to
6 GHz RF input signal to its corresponding digital magnitude
and digital phase. The signal chain achieves 0° to 360° of phase
measurement with 1° of accuracy at 900 MHz. The circuit uses
a high performance quadrature demodulator, a dual differential
amplifier, and a dual differential 16-bit, 1 MSPS successive
approximation analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC).
7.5V
5V
5V_REF
ADR435
2.5V
5V
RF
3
2
1
4
5
6
LO
100pF
RFIP
100pF
3
499Ω
I+
I–
RFIN
2
4
5
1
6
100pF
LOIP
0°
100pF
LOIN
90°
GND
249Ω
22Ω
249Ω
22Ω
2700pF
499Ω
ZOUT = 50Ω ZIN = 500Ω
VCM = 2.5V VCM = 2.5V
499Ω
249Ω
VCM = 2.5V
22Ω
Q+
Q–
2700pF
2700pF
249Ω
22Ω
2700pF
ADA4940-2
Gv = 6dB
AD7903
FULL SCALE = 10V p-p
12940-001
499Ω
ADL5380
Gv = 5.36dB
Figure 1. Simplified Receiver Subsystem for Magnitude and Phase Measurements (All Connections and Decoupling Not Shown)
Rev. 0
Circuits from the Lab reference designs from Analog Devices have been designed and built by Analog
Devices engineers. Standard engineering practices have been employed in the design and
construction of each circuit, and their function and performance have been tested and verified in a lab
environment at room temperature. However, you are solely responsible for testing the circuit and
determining its suitability and applicability for your use and application. Accordingly, in no event shall
Analog Devices be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages due
toanycausewhatsoeverconnectedtotheuseofanyCircuitsfromtheLabcircuits. (Continuedonlastpage)
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Fax: 781.461.3113
©2015 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved.
CN-0374
Circuit Note
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
Quadrature Demodulator
A quadrature demodulator provides an in-phase (I) signal and a
quadrature (Q) signal that are exactly 90° out of phase. The I and
Q signals are vector quantities; therefore, the amplitude and phase
shift of the received signal can be calculated using trigonometric
identities, as shown in Figure 2. The local oscillator (LO) input
is the original transmitted signal and the RF input is the received
signal. The demodulator generates a sum and difference term.
Both the RF and LO signals are at the exact same frequency,
ωLO = ωRF, and therefore the high frequency sum term is filtered,
while the difference term resides at dc. The received signal has a
different phase (φRF) than that of the transmitted signal (φLO),
and this phase shift can be represented as φLO − φRF.
A real-world I/Q demodulator has many imperfections, including
quadrature phase error, gain imbalance, and LO to RF leakage,
all of which can degrade the quality of the demodulated signal.
To select a demodulator, first determine the requirements for RF
input frequency range, amplitude accuracy, and phase accuracy.
Powered from a single 5 V supply, the ADL5380 demodulator
accepts RF or IF input frequencies from 400 MHz to 6 GHz,
making it ideal for the receiver signal chain. Configured to
provide a 5.36 dB voltage conversion gain, the differential I and Q
outputs of the ADL5380 can drive a 2.5 V p-p differential signal
into a 500 Ω load. Its 10.9 dB noise figure (NF), 11.6 dBm firstorder intercept (IP1), and 29.7 dBm third-order intercept (IP3)
at 900 MHz provide outstanding dynamic range; and its 0.07 dB
amplitude balance and 0.2° phase balance achieve excellent
demodulation accuracy. Manufactured using an advanced SiGe
bipolar process, the ADL5380 is available in a tiny 4 mm × 4 mm,
24-lead LFCSP package.
ADC Driver and High Resolution Precision ADC
The excellent dynamic performance and adjustable output
common-mode voltage of the ADA4940-2 fully differential dual
amplifier make it ideal for driving high resolution, dual SAR
ADCs. Powered from a single 5 V supply, the ADA4940-2 provides
±5 V differential outputs with a 2.5 V common-mode voltage.
Configured to provide a gain of 2 (6 dB), it drives the ADC
inputs to full-scale. The RC filter (22 Ω/2.7 nF) limits the noise
and reduces the kickback coming from the capacitive digital-toanalog converter (DAC) at the ADC input. Manufactured using
a proprietary SiGe complementary bipolar process, the ADA4940-2
is available in a tiny 4 mm × 4 mm, 24-lead LFCSP package.
The AD7903 dual 16-bit, 1 MSPS SAR ADC offers excellent
precision, with ±0.006% FS gain error and ±0.015 mV offset
error. Operating from a single 2.5 V power supply, the AD7903
dissipates only 12 mW at 1 MSPS. The main goal of using a
high resolution ADC is to achieve ±1° phase accuracy, especially
when the input signal has a small dc amplitude. The 5 V
reference required by the ADC is generated by the ADR435
low noise reference.
LO
COS (ωLOt + φLO)
VI 2 + VQ 2
A
VI = — COS (φRF – φLO)
2
COS (ωLOt + φLO)
RF
COS (ωRFt + φRF)
VQ
θ
VI
0°
90°
SIN (ωLOt + φLO)
A
VQ = — SIN (φRF – φLO)
2
MAGNITUDE =
VI 2 + VQ 2
VQ
PHASE = ARCTAN2 V
I
A
Q = Acos(ωRF t + φRF) × sin(ωLO t + φLO) = — [sin(ωRFt – ωLOt + φRF – φLO) + sin(ωRFt + ωLOt + φRF + φLO]
2
A
Sum term gets filtered
Let ωRF = ωLO
VQ = — [cos(φRF – φLO)]
2
difference term at dc
Figure 2. Magnitude and Phase Measurement Using a Quadrature Demodulator
Rev. 0 | Page 2 of 7
(1)
(2)
12940-002
A
I = Acos(ωRF t + φRF) × cos(ωLO t + φLO) = — [cos(ωRF t – ωLO t + φRF – φLO) + cos(ωRF t + ωLO t + φRF + φLO]
2
A
VI = — [cos(φRF – φLO)]
Sum term gets filtered
Let ωRF = ωLO
2
difference term at dc
Circuit Note
CN-0374
COMMON VARIATIONS
Table 1. Input and Output Voltage Levels of Figure 1
The frequency range of the circuit can be extended to lower
frequencies by using the ADL5387 30 MHz to 2 GHz
quadrature demodulator.
Depending on the specific application, the amplifier between
the demodulator and ADC may or may not be necessary. The
ADL5380 can interface directly to the AD7903 because the
common-mode voltages of both devices are compatible. If using
an alternative ADC with a common-mode voltage that is not
within the range of the demodulator, an amplifier is necessary
to achieve the level translation with minimal power loss.
The AD798x and AD769x family of ADCs can be used as
alternatives to the AD7903.
RF Input
+11.6 dBm
0 dBm
ADL5380 Output
+6.957 dBm
4.455 V p-p
−4.643 dBm
1.172 V p-p
AD7903 Input
−1.022 dBFS
−12.622 dBFS
−20 dBm
−40 dBm
−68 dBm
−24.643 dBm
−44.643 dBm
−72.643 dBm
−32.622 dBFS
−52.622 dBFS
−80.622 dBFS
0.117 V p-p
0.012 V p-p
466 μV p-p
Receiver Subsystem Error Calibration
The receiver subsystem contains three major error sources:
offset, gain, and phase.
The individual differential dc magnitudes of the I and Q
channels have sinusoidal relationships with respect to the
relative phase of the RF and LO signals. As a result, the ideal dc
magnitude of the I and Q channels can be calculated as follows:
CIRCUIT EVALUATION AND TEST
As shown in Figure 3, the receiver subsystem is implemented
using the ADL5380-EVALZ, ADA4940-2ACP-EBZ, EVALAD7903SDZ, and EVAL-SDP-CB1Z evaluation kits. These
circuit components are optimized for interconnection in the
subsystem. Two high frequency, phase-locked input sources
provide the RF and LO input signals.
Table 1 summarizes the input and output voltage levels for each
of the components in the receiver subsystem. An 11.6 dBm
signal at the RF input of the demodulator produces an input
within −1 dB of the ADC full-scale range. Table 1 assumes a
500 Ω load, 5.3573 dB conversion gain, and −4.643 dB power
gain for the ADL5380, and 6 dB gain for the ADA4940-2. The
calibration routine and performance results achieved for this
receiver subsystem are discussed in the following sections.
Voltage ICHANNEL = Max I/Q Output × cos(θ)
(3)
Voltage QCHANNEL = Max I/Q Output × sin(θ)
(4)
As the phase moves through the polar grid, some locations
ideally produce the same voltage. For example, the voltage on
the I (cosine) channel should be identical with phase shifts of
+90° or −90°. However, a constant phase shift error, independent
of the relative phase of RF and LO, causes the subsystem channel
to generate different results for input phases that should produce
the same dc magnitude. This is illustrated in Figure 4 and
Figure 5, where two different output codes are generated when
the input should be at 0 V. In this case, the −37° phase shift is
much larger than expected in a real-world system containing
phase-locked loops. The result is +90° actually appearing as +53°,
and −90° as −127°.
EVAL-AD7903SDZ
ADA4940-2ACP-EBZ
EVAL-SDP-CB1Z
12940-003
ADL5380-EVALZ
Figure 3. Receiver Subsystem Evaluation Platform
Rev. 0 | Page 3 of 7
CN-0374
Circuit Note
Table 2 Measured Phase Shift for 0 dBm RF Input
Average Q Channel
Output Code
+4524.038
−5842.293
−4396.769
+5858.444
+4429.286
I Channel
Voltage
−0.893 V
−0.682 V
+0.902 V
+0.682 V
−0.904 V
Results were gathered in 10° steps from −180° to +180°, with
the uncorrected data generating the elliptical shapes shown in
Figure 4 and Figure 5. This error can be accounted for by
determining the amount of additional phase shift present in the
system. Table 2 shows that the system phase shift error is
constant throughout the transfer function.
System Phase Error Calibration
With a step size of 10°, the average measured phase shift error
was −37.32° for the system shown in Figure 3. With this
additional phase shift known, the adjusted subsystem dc
voltages can now be calculated. The variable φPHASE_SHIFT is
defined as the average observed additional system phase shift.
The dc voltage generated in the phase-compensated signal
chain can be computed as
Measured
Phase
+142.29°
−127.43°
−36.65°
+52.66°
+143.22°
(5)
Voltage QCHANNEL = Max I/Q Output ×
(sin(θTARGET)cos(φPHASE_SHIFT) + cos(θTARGET)sin(φPHASE_SHIFT))
(6)
Equation 5 and Equation 6 provide the target input voltage for
a given phase setting. The subsystem has now been linearized,
and the offset error and gain error can now be corrected. The
linearized I and Q channel results can also be seen in Figure 4
and Figure 5. A linear regression on the data sets generates the
best fit line shown in the figures. This line is the measured
subsystem transfer function for each conversion signal chain.
10k
8k
y = 6273.1x + 22.599
6k
4k
2k
0
–2k
–4k
–6k
IDEAL SIN INPUT VS. OUTPUT CODE
ADJUSTED IDEAL SIN INPUT VS.
OUTPUT CODE
LINEAR (ADJUSTED IDEAL SIN INPUT
VS. OUTPUT CODE)
–8k
–10k
–1.5
–1.0
–0.5
0
0.5
1.0
IDEAL Q CHANNEL INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
The offset of each signal chain within the receiver subsystem is
ideally 0 LSB; however, the measured offsets were −12.546 LSB
and +22.599 LSB for the I and Q channels, respectively. The
slope of the best fit line represents the slope of the subsystem.
The ideal subsystem slope can be calculated as
Ideal Slope 

Max Code  Min Code
 VREF   VREF 
65,535  0
 5    5
 6553.5
8k
6k
y = 6315.5x – 12.546
0
–2k
–4k
IDEAL COS INPUT VS. OUTPUT CODE
ADJUSTED IDEAL COS INPUT VS.
OUTPUT CODE
LINEAR (ADJUSTED IDEAL COS INPUT
VS. OUTPUT CODE)
–10k
–1.5
–1.0
Codes
V
–0.5
0
0.5
1.0
IDEAL I CHANNEL INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
1.5
Offset Error Correction = −Measured Offset Error
(8)
The gain error correction coefficient is
12940-004
–8k
(7)
The results in Figure 4 and Figure 5 show that that measured
slopes were 6315.5 and 6273.1 for the I and Q channels,
respectively. These slopes must be adjusted to correct the
system gain error. Correcting for gain error and offset error
ensures that the signal magnitude computed using Equation 1
matches the ideal signal magnitude. The offset correction is the
opposite of the measured offset error:
4k
–6k
1.5
System Offset and Gain Error Calibration
10k
2k
Measured Receiver
Subsystem Phase Shift
−37.71°
−37.43°
−36.65°
−37.34°
−36.78°
Figure 5. Linearized Q Channel Results
Voltage ICHANNEL = Max I/Q Output ×
(cos(θTARGET)cos(φPHASE_SHIFT) − sin(θTARGET)sin(φPHASE_SHIFT))
MEASURED I CHANNEL AD7903 OUTPUT CODE
Q Channel
Voltage
+0.690 V
−0.891 V
−0.671 V
+0.894 V
+0.676 V
12940-005
Average I Channel
Output Code
−5851.294
−4471.731
+5909.982
+4470.072
−5924.423
MEASURED Q CHANNEL AD7903 OUTPUT CODE
Input Phase
RF to LO
−180°
−90°
0°
+90°
+180°
Gain Error Correction 
Figure 4. Linearized I Channel Results
Rev. 0 | Page 4 of 7
Ideal Slope
Measured Slope
(9)
Circuit Note
CN-0374
The received conversion result can be corrected by
Figure 6 is a histogram of the measured absolute phase error
showing better than 1° accuracy for every 10° step from −180°
to +180°.
Corrected Output Code =
Received Output Code × Ideal Slope
Measured Slope
+
(10)
18
16
Offset Error Correction
2N − 1
Use Equation 11 on both the I and Q channels to compute the
perceived analog input voltage for each subsystem signal chain.
These fully adjusted I and Q channel voltages are used to compute
the RF signal amplitude as defined by the individual dc signal
magnitudes. To evaluate the accuracy of the full calibration
routine, convert the collected results to ideal subsystem voltages
produced at the output of the demodulator as if no phase shift
error were present; multiply the average dc magnitude computed
previously by the sinusoidal fraction of the measured phase at
each trial with the computed phase shift error removed. The
calculation is as follows:
Fully Corrected I Channel Voltage =
Average Post Calibration Magnitude ×
(cos(θMEASURED)cos(φPHASE_SHIFT) +
sin(θMEASURED)sin(φPHASE_SHIFT))
(12)
Fully Corrected Q Channel Voltage =
Average Post Calibration Magnitude ×
(sin(θMEASURED)cos(φPHASE_SHIFT) −
cos(θMEASURED)sin(φPHASE_SHIFT))
(13)
where:
φPHASE_SHIFT is the phase error previously computed.
Average Post Calibration Magnitude is the dc magnitude result
from Equation 1 that has been compensated for offset error and
gain error.
Table 3 shows the results of the calibration routine at various
target phase inputs for the 0 dBm RF input amplitude case. The
calculations performed in Equation 12 and Equation 13 are the
correction factors to be built into any system intended to sense
phase and magnitude in the manner described in this circuit note.
Table 3. Results Achieved at Certain Target Phase Inputs
with 0 dBm RF Input Amplitude
Target
Phase
−180°
−90°
0°
+90°
+180°
I Channel
Fully
Corrected
Input Voltage
−1.172 V
−0.00218 V
+1.172 V
+0.000409 V
−1.172 V
Q Channel
Fully
Corrected
Input Voltage
+0.00789 V
−1.172 V
+0.0138 V
+1.171 V
−0.0111 V
Fully
Corrected
Phase
Result
−180.386°
−90.107°
+0.677°
+89.98°
+180.542°
10
8
6
4
2
0
0
0.2
0.6
0.8
1.0
Figure 6. Measured Absolute Phase Error Histogram for 0 dBm Input Level
with 10° Phase Steps
For accurate phase measurements at any given input level, the
perceived phase shift error (φPHASE_SHIFT) of RF relative to LO
must be constant. If the measured phase shift error begins to
change as a function of the target phase step (θTARGET) or amplitude,
the calibration routine presented in this section begins to lose
accuracy. Evaluation results at room temperature show that the
phase shift error is relatively constant for RF amplitudes ranging
from a maximum of 11.6 dBm to approximately −20 dBm at
900 MHz.
Figure 7 shows the dynamic range of the receiver subsystem
along with the corresponding amplitude-induced additional
phase error. As the input amplitude decreases past −20 dBm,
the phase error calibration accuracy begins to degrade. The
system user must determine the acceptable level of signal chain
error to determine the minimum acceptable signal magnitude.
50
40k
40
30k
30
20k
20
10k
10
0
0
–10
–10k
–20
I CHANNEL (COS) ADC CODE
Q CHANNEL (SIN) ADC CODE
PHASE ERROR CALIBRATION ACCURACY
–20k
Absolute
Measured
Phase
Error
0.386°
0.107°
0.676°
0.020°
0.541°
0.4
ABSOLUTE PHASE ERROR (Degrees)
DEGREES
(11)
–30k
–40k
11.6
–30
–40
–50
8
2
–4
–8
–14 –20 –24 –30 –36 –42 –46
INPUT LEVEL (dBm)
12940-007
2 × VREF × Corrected Output Code
12
12940-006
Measured Signal Input Voltage =
ADC OUTPUT CODE
The calibrated dc input voltage of the subsystem is calculated as
NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES
CALCULATED PHASE ERROR
14
Figure 7. Dynamic Range of Receiver Subsystem and Corresponding
Additional Phase Error
The results shown in Figure 7 were collected with a 5 V ADC
reference. The magnitude of the ADC reference can be reduced,
providing a smaller quantization level for the system, which
Rev. 0 | Page 5 of 7
CN-0374
Circuit Note
provides an incremental improvement in phase error accuracy
for small signals but increases the chance for system saturation.
To increase system dynamic range, another option is to implement
an oversampling scheme that increases the noise-free bit resolution
of the ADC. Every doubling in samples averaged provides a ½ LSB
increase in system resolution. The oversampling ratio for a given
resolution increase is calculated as follows:
Oversampling Ratio = 22N
(14)
where N is the number of bits increase.
12940-008
Oversampling reaches a point of diminishing returns when the
noise amplitude is no longer sufficient to randomly change the
ADC output code from sample to sample. At this point, the
effective resolution of the system can no longer be increased.
The bandwidth reduction from oversampling is not a significant
concern because the system is measuring signals with a slowly
changing magnitude.
Figure 8. Receiver Subsystem Calibration GUI
Equipment Needed
The following equipment are used to evaluate the circuit.
The AD7903 evaluation software is available with a calibration
routine that allows the user to correct the ADC output results
for the three sources of error: phase, gain, and offset. The user
must collect uncorrected results with their system to determine
the calibration coefficients calculated in this circuit note. Figure 8
shows the Amp/Phase Panel tab of the GUI with the calibration
coefficients highlighted. When the coefficients are determined,
this tab can also be used to deliver phase and magnitude results
from the demodulator. The polar plot provides a visual indication
of the observed RF input signal. The amplitude and phase
calculations are performed using Equation 1 and Equation 2. The
oversampling ratio can be controlled by adjusting the number of
samples per capture using the Num Samples drop-down box.






A Windows® XP, Windows Vista (32-bit), or Windows 7
(32-bit) PC with USB port
The ADL5380-EVALZ, ADA4940-2ACP-EBZ, EVALAD7903SDZ, and EVAL-SDP-CB1Z evaluation boards
Two RF signal generators with phase control (such as the
R&S SMT06)
A digital multimeter
5 V and 9 V power supplies
The AD7903 evaluation software, used to digitally process
the resulting magnitude and phase information
Figure 9 shows a block diagram of the test setup.
5V
SUPPLY
VPOS
ADL5380-EVALZ
LO_SE
9V
SUPPLY
+VS1
IPx
+IN1
+OUT1
VIN1+
INx
−IN1
−OUT1
VIN1−
EVAL-AD7903SDZ
ADA4940-2ACP-EB
RFx
VIN
QPx
+IN2
+OUT2
VIN2+
QNx
−IN2
−OUT2
VIN2−
120
LO
RF
CON A OR CON B
RF
GENERATOR
PC
EVAL-SDP-CB1Z
12940-009
LO
GENERATOR
USB
Figure 9. Test Setup Functional Diagram
Rev. 0 | Page 6 of 7
Circuit Note
CN-0374
LEARN MORE
Data Sheets and Evaluation Boards
CN-0374 Design Support Package:
www.analog.com/CN0374-DesignSupport
ADL5380 Data Sheet and Evaluation Board
UG-609. EVAL-AD7903SDZ Evaluation Board User Guide.
Analog Devices.
AD7903 Data Sheet and Evaluation Board
UG-018. Evaluation Board for High Speed Differential
Amplifiers. Analog Devices.
1/15—Revision 0: Initial Version
ADA4940-2 Data Sheet and Evaluation Board
REVISION HISTORY
Ardizzoni, John. A Practical Guide to High-Speed PrintedCircuit-Board Layout. Analog Dialogue 39-09, September 2005.
ADIsimRF Design Tool.
MT-031 Tutorial. Grounding Data Converters and Solving the
Mystery of "AGND" and "DGND". Analog Devices.
MT-101 Tutorial. Decoupling Techniques. Analog Devices.
Ryan Curran, Qui Luu, Maithil Pachchigar. RF-to-Bits Solution
Offers Precise Phase and Magnitude Data for Material Analysis.
Analog Dialogue 48-4, October 2014.
(Continued from first page) Circuits from the Lab reference designs are intended only for use with Analog Devices products and are the intellectual property of Analog Devices or its licensors.
While you may use the Circuits from the Lab reference designs in the design of your product, no other license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patents or other intellectual
property by application or use of the Circuits from the Lab reference designs. Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Circuits from the
Lab reference designs are supplied "as is" and without warranties of any kind, express, implied, or statutory including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability,
noninfringement or fitness for a particular purpose and no responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for their use, nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties
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©2015 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks and
registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CN12940-0-1/15(0)
Rev. 0 | Page 7 of 7