Can the ad9177 output two 9.8GHz analog signals by interpolation?

Question

Does the chart above refer to conversion rates for DAC core？Does the ad9177 support each DAC core at 9.8GHz using dual DAC cores?

s.ilke · Answer

Hi, 
 AD9177 has max clock rate of 12G SPS and can output a fundamental signal at max 6GHz in the first Nyquist zone. 
 There will be images at higher frequencies in the higher order Nyquist zones. 
 The fundamental output frequency and clock sample rate can be set to produce and use an image at desired frequency. 
 For example fs = 12GSPS and fout= 2.2GHz, there will be an image at 9.8 GHz. 
 However, signal amplitude and quality at image frequency would be lower compared to fundamental due to DAC output sinc filter and usable analog bandwidth (8 GHz for AD9177). 
 Hope this answers your question.

PMH2023 · Answer

Hello, In practice the image signal will be of poor quality due to its high level of attenuation from poor matching and Sinc function. To get a higher quality signal, one can use a up converting mixer like the LTC5522 ( LTC5552 Datasheet and Product Info | Analog Devices ) operating with an LO frequency equal to the DAC clock frequency such that the DAC's fundamental tone in 1st Nyquist zone (after a low pass filter) is upconverted to 9.8 GHz by the LTC5522. One can use a PLL/VCO IC like the ADF4372 ( ADF4372 Datasheet and Product Info | Analog Devices ) to generate the LO/CLK frequency while using a gain block+power splitter to distribute the LO signal to the multiple LTC5552 devices.

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Can the ad9177 output two 9.8GHz analog signals by interpolation?