What is an ASIC? Why use it?

ASIC stands for “Application Specific Integrated Circuit”. This means that an ASIC is designed to be used in very specific applications. Another term for it is “custom” chip. For ASICs a customer specifies certain requirements and specifications and the ASIC supplier then designs to those specifications and supplies the ASIC to the buyer. As such, ASIC has become a generic term. The usage of ASICs has become popular owing to a number of features that ASICs offer. First, the ASIC is usually very small. So it saves space on a board or enclosure that the customer may be using. In some cases there is no way out for the customer,but to use an ASIC. This may be the case, for instance for hearing aids, watches, cell phones. ( Although, strictly speaking a cell phone uses a lot of standard devices in addition to ASICs).An ASIC can be a great cost reduction tool.Insertion costs, discrete device costs, manufacturing costs and other associated costs csn be saved by using ASICs. An ASIC is a very useful tool when it comes to hiding intellectual property ( IP). Most of the circuitry is inside a very small package and can be made to be almost impossible to reverse engineer. Obviously a well designed ASIC can also increase reliabity significantly. No wires to come loose, nor connectors to fail etc. All in all an ASIC can be very useful indeed. To read more about designing an ASIC for yourself please see the article in this blog.

SPG designs, develops and delivers custom analog and RF/wireless asics and modules.

FPGA Design and development service

Contact SPG using phone: 602-626-0272 for fast service.

A wideand RF detector ( 40 Mhz to 3 Ghz) -75 dBm to 5 dBm input

A wideband RF detector

A wideband RF detector

Linear detector performance

Linear detector performance curves

A wideband linear RF detector

Price for one unit: $25.00. Lead time for delivery 3 days. 30 Day return policy. Pricing for 100 units or more: $20.00 per unit.  Please contact Signal Processing Group Inc. for details for purchase from Signal Processing Group Inc. Email: spg@signalpro.biz 24/7

Wideband RF detector perforamce , more details

Contact Signal Processing Group Inc.

Please contact Signal Processing Group Inc. on email: spg@signalpro.biz . We will answer within 24 hours.

2 stage 35 dB gain RF amplifier. Front of the module

Full range frequency response

2 stage amplifier deta

Please see details at http://www.signalpro.biz/2rf_amplifier_details.htm    Delivery lead time is 3 days. Return within 30 days for a full refund. Price is $15.00 for one unit and $10.00 per unit in volumes of 100. For higher volumes than 100 please contact Signal Processing group Inc.

miniature LNA module

Mni LNA performance

Delivery lead time is 3 days. Return within 30 days for a full refund. Price is $15.00 for one unit and $12.00 per unit in volumes of 100. For higher volumes than 100 please contact Signal Processing Group Inc. at email: spg@signalpro.biz or call 602-626-0272 for fastest service.

A high frequency divider from 500 Mhz to % Ghz+

The input interface.
The frequency divider has a differential analog interface. The following parameters apply:
The minimum frequency that can be input is 500 Mhz and the maximum frequency is 6.0 Ghz.
The RF input level is 5 dBm to – 5 dBm. For lower frequencies make sure that the slew rate is
greater than 560 V/us. The input is biased by two 500 Ohm resistors connected to a 1.6V DC bias.
Therefore AC coupling is used at the input. These are two 100pF capacitors.
The output interface.
The output is single ended. The output driver is capable of sourcing and sinking 24 mA. The
equivalent output impedance is 50 Ohm. To avoid reflections it is recommended that the divider
work into a 50 Ohm load.
General operation.
The inputs are applied to the input SMA I/O. The product will work with both a differential input as
well as a single ended input. However, a differential input works best. The division ratio is applied
to the N1 and N2 control inputs as follows:
N2 N1 Division ratio
0 0 8
0 1 16
1 0 32
1 1 64
The logic levels are:
Logic level Voltage
1 1.4V minimum
0 0.6V maximum
The supply voltage interface.
The operating supply voltage is 3.3V typical. The quiescent (DC) operating supply current is 2 mA.

A high frequency divider 500 Mhz to 5 Ghz+

Contact Signal Processing Group Inc for details and acquisition

Please contact Signal Processing Group Inc. at email: spg@signalpro.biz or telephone 602-626-0272. Get a response within minutes or worst case 24 hours if contact is by email.

SPDT DC to 3 Ghz RF switch

DC to 3 Ghz RF SPDT switch

RF Switch typical features

Supply voltage = Vcc = 0/+5 Vdc
Operatng temperature = TA = -50° C to 125 Deg C
Operating impedance = 50 Ohm
Input power for 1 dB
compression ( 5.0V system) = 37 dBm ( f = 0.5 to 3 Ghz)
Input third order Intercept = 64 dBm ( 0 to 5.0V system, f = 0.5 to 3 Ghz)
Operating frequency range = DC to 3 Ghz.
Insertion loss DC to 3 Ghz = 0.8 dB
Isolation DC to 3 Ghz = 14 dB minimum
Return loss DC to 3 Ghz = 20 dB
50% contl to 10/90 %
( ON/OFF) = 120 ns

A single stage RF amplifier as a gain block

A single stage RF amplifier summary specifications

Summary Specifications

Gain,  Operating: 19.5 dB
Operating frequency range: 1.0 – 2700 Mhz
OIP3: (Pout = 19.0 dBm),  -8.5 dBm
P1dB: 4.6 dBm
N.F: 4.2 dB
Supply voltage Operating: 3.3  – 5.5 Volts

Price: single unit $7.50, 100 units : $5:50.

Free delivery, shipping lead time 2 days.

30 day return policy, buyer ships.
Supply current Supply = 5.0V,  23.0 mA

Embedded design and development

Signal Processing Group Inc. is offering embedded design and development using Microchip processors. Please contact us on spg@signalpro.biz for more information

Practical impedance matching

Three useful blocks

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