AD9956 Analog Devices Integrated Circuit (Quad Flat No-Lead) In Stock
The Analog Devices AD9956 is a 400 MSPS, 14-bit direct digital synthesizer (DDS) evaluation board designed for rapid prototyping of agile frequency synthesis systems. It provides a programmable reference clock, SPI control interface, and onboard filtering for generating high-purity RF signals up to 200 MHz. From $150.00, in stock with worldwide shipping.
- Manufacturer
- Analog Devices
- Package
- Quad Flat No-Lead
- Pin Count
- 49
- Lifecycle
- ACTIVE
- Datasheet
- AD9956 Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Integrated Circuit
- RoHS
- Compliant
- Lead Time
- 3–7 business days
- Shipping
- DHL Express · Worldwide
Key Features
- 400 MSPS sample rate with 14-bit DAC resolution enables high-purity, agile frequency synthesis up to 200 MHz output with fine frequency resolution
- Onboard SPI control interface and programmable reference clock allow fast configuration and integration with FPGA or microcontroller evaluation platforms
- Quad flat no-lead (QFN) packaged DDS IC on evaluation board simplifies prototyping of frequency hopping, modulation, and clock generation circuits
Applications
The AD9956 evaluation board is used for rapid prototyping of direct digital synthesis circuits in radar, software-defined radio (SDR), and communications test equipment. Engineers use this board to characterize the AD9956 DDS IC's 400 MSPS, 14-bit output performance and evaluate phase noise, spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), and frequency hopping speed before committing to a custom PCB design. It is also commonly deployed in laboratory signal generation, agile local oscillator prototyping, and RF instrumentation development where a high-speed, precise frequency source is required.
Compliance & Regulatory
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (Pb-Free) |
Alternate & Equivalent Parts
Compatible alternatives and drop-in replacements for AD9956:
Frequently Asked Questions
What output frequency range can the AD9956 evaluation board achieve and what limits it?
The AD9956 evaluation board supports output frequencies up to approximately 200 MHz, constrained by the Nyquist limit of its 400 MSPS sample rate and the onboard reconstruction filter cutoff. The 14-bit DAC resolution provides fine frequency tuning steps determined by the 48-bit frequency tuning word, enabling sub-hertz frequency resolution across the full 200 MHz output range for precision signal generation applications.
How does the AD9956 DDS compare to a PLL-based frequency synthesizer for frequency-agile RF applications?
The AD9956 DDS at 400 MSPS with 14-bit resolution offers instantaneous, phase-continuous frequency switching in under 1 µs, whereas PLL-based synthesizers typically require 10 µs to several milliseconds to lock to a new frequency. This makes the AD9956 superior for frequency hopping spread-spectrum systems, chirp radar waveforms, and fast-tuning local oscillators in software-defined radio designs where settling time directly impacts system throughput.
What interface does the AD9956 evaluation board use for control, and which host platforms support it?
The AD9956 evaluation board uses a 3-wire SPI serial interface for programming frequency, phase, and amplitude registers, compatible with 3.3 V logic levels typical of modern FPGAs and microcontrollers. Analog Devices provides PC-based evaluation software that interfaces via USB-to-SPI adapters, and the board's connector pinout also allows direct connection to FPGA development kits running at 3.3 V or 1.8 V logic for custom embedded integration.
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About Analog Devices
Analog Devices (ADI) is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing integrated circuits used in virtually all types of electronic equipment.
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