Test & Measurement IC Solution Overview
High-performance test and measurement instruments — arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs), high-speed digitizers, signal analyzers, and oscilloscopes — are at the leading edge of data converter technology. The ICs driving these instruments demand the highest combination of resolution, sample rate, and spurious-free dynamic range achievable.
Until recently, the only available high-speed 16-bit DACs above 10 GSPS were the Analog Devices AD9164 and its derivatives, all subject to US EAR. Defense research institutes and government T&M laboratories in non-Western countries have faced significant procurement obstacles.
Radivix Technology now supplies three export-compliant high-performance data converter ICs for T&M applications:
- RVX16S12GPPB — 16-bit 12 GSPS DAC, SFDR 64 dB @1 GHz, AD9164 alternative
- RVX1213PPB — 16-bit 12.8 GSPS DAC, SFDR 75 dB @950 MHz, Radivix exclusive (no Western equivalent)
- RVX3622MPB — 16-bit 310 MSPS dual-channel ADC, SNR 68.1 dBFS @70 MHz, AD9652 alternative
Summary: Radivix provides export-compliant 16-bit high-speed DAC and ADC ICs for T&M instrument design. RVX16S12GPPB replaces AD9164; RVX3622MPB replaces AD9652; and RVX1213PPB offers an exclusive 12.8 GSPS 75 dB SFDR DAC with no Western equivalent — all available from Hong Kong without US EAR/ITAR restrictions.
RVX16S12GPPB — AD9164 Alternative: 16-bit 12 GSPS DAC
The RVX16S12GPPB is a 16-bit digital-to-analog converter operating at 12 GSPS with a JESD204B input interface and an integrated digital upconverter (DUC). It replaces the Analog Devices AD9164 as the primary DAC in arbitrary waveform generators, microwave signal synthesizers, and RF stimulus sources.
The measured SFDR of 64 dB at 1 GHz output frequency establishes the spectral purity available for AWG signal generation and radar waveform synthesis. The integrated DUC with configurable interpolation enables the FPGA to provide I/Q data at a fraction of the DAC sample rate, reducing the FPGA fabric clock rate requirement while maintaining full output bandwidth.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | RVX16S12GPPB | AD9164 (reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Rate | 12 GSPS | 12 GSPS |
| Resolution | 16-bit | 16-bit |
| SFDR @1GHz | 64 dB (measured) | 65 dBc typical |
| Digital Input | JESD204B | JESD204B |
| DUC | Yes (integrated) | Yes (integrated) |
| Interpolation | 1×, 2×, 4×, 8× | 1×, 2×, 4×, 8× |
| Output Full-Scale | Configurable | Configurable |
| Package | BGA196 | BGA196 |
| Export Status | ✅ HK — No EAR/ITAR | ⚠️ US-controlled |
Digital Upconverter (DUC)
The integrated DUC in RVX16S12GPPB accepts complex I/Q samples from the FPGA over JESD204B lanes, performs interpolation (up to 8×), applies a fine digital frequency shift, and feeds the resulting real-valued samples to the 12 GSPS DAC core. This architecture, identical in function to the AD9164 DUC, allows the FPGA baseband processor to operate at a reduced clock rate — important for power and timing closure in dense FPGA designs.
Measured performance: SFDR of 64 dB at 1 GHz output, 12 GSPS, documented in the Radivix characterization report. Full SFDR, ENOB, and noise spectral density curves across output frequency and sample rate are provided in the complete datasheet.
Summary: RVX16S12GPPB delivers 16-bit resolution at 12 GSPS with 64 dB SFDR @1 GHz and an integrated DUC — matching the AD9164 in every performance category relevant to AWG and signal synthesis design. It provides a validated, export-compliant replacement for programs that previously required AD9164 but faced US EAR procurement barriers.
RVX1213PPB — Exclusive 16-bit 12.8 GSPS DAC (No Western Equivalent)
RVX1213PPB: 16-bit · 12.8GSPS · 4-Channel · SFDR 75dB @950MHz
There is currently no Analog Devices, Texas Instruments, or other Western supplier product matching this combination of resolution, sample rate, channel count, and SFDR performance. RVX1213PPB is a Radivix-exclusive IC developed for the most demanding AWG and signal synthesis applications.
The RVX1213PPB extends beyond the AD9164 performance envelope with a 12.8 GSPS sample rate, 75 dB SFDR at 950 MHz, and a 4-channel architecture — enabling quad-channel AWG configurations in a single IC. The combination of higher sample rate and superior SFDR makes it the preferred choice for microwave AWGs, radar chirp generators, and ECM signal synthesizers requiring the highest spectral purity at GHz output frequencies.
Specifications vs RVX16S12GPPB
| Parameter | RVX1213PPB (Exclusive) | RVX16S12GPPB (AD9164 alt.) |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Rate | 12.8 GSPS | 12 GSPS |
| Resolution | 16-bit | 16-bit |
| Channels | 4 | 1 |
| SFDR @950MHz | 75 dB (measured) | N/A at this freq. |
| SFDR @1GHz | ~73 dB | 64 dB |
| Package | BGA256 | BGA196 |
| Western Equivalent | None | AD9164 |
| Export Status | ✅ HK — No EAR/ITAR | ✅ HK — No EAR/ITAR |
The 4-channel architecture of RVX1213PPB enables I, Q, and auxiliary signal generation from a single IC — simplifying board design for complex AWG architectures compared to multi-IC solutions using AD9164 in a 4-device array.
Summary: RVX1213PPB is a genuinely novel product — 16-bit, 12.8 GSPS, 4-channel, 75 dB SFDR @950 MHz — with no Western equivalent from Analog Devices or TI. It is available exclusively from Radivix Technology Limited in Hong Kong, enabling T&M instrument designers to exceed the performance ceiling of AD9164-based designs while eliminating US export control risk entirely.
RVX3622MPB — AD9652 Alternative: 16-bit 310 MSPS Dual ADC
The RVX3622MPB is a 16-bit, 310 MSPS dual-channel analog-to-digital converter for precision measurement applications. It replaces the Analog Devices AD9652 in signal analyzers, digitizers, and network analyzers where low noise and high linearity are required at baseband and low-IF frequencies.
The measured SNR of 68.1 dBFS at 70 MHz input frequency delivers the precision dynamic range required by precision signal analyzers. Its dual-channel architecture supports simultaneous I and Q digitization without the amplitude and phase imbalance of separate ADC devices.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | RVX3622MPB | AD9652 (reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Rate | 310 MSPS | 310 MSPS |
| Resolution | 16-bit | 16-bit |
| Channels | 2 (dual) | 2 (dual) |
| SNR @70MHz | 68.1 dBFS (measured) | 68.4 dBFS typical |
| SFDR @70MHz | 85 dBc typical | 88 dBc typical |
| Analog Input BW | 650 MHz (−3 dB) | 650 MHz |
| Digital Output | LVDS / JESD204B | LVDS / JESD204B |
| Package | BGA144 | BGA144 |
| Export Status | ✅ HK — No EAR/ITAR | ⚠️ US-controlled |
Applications in Signal Analysis
At 310 MSPS with 68.1 dBFS SNR, RVX3622MPB covers the digitization requirements of:
- Network analyzers: Baseband I/Q digitization of the receiver IF chain, supporting frequency ranges from audio to upper VHF
- Oscilloscopes: Precision digitization channel at 310 MSPS for medium-bandwidth front-end options
- Signal analyzers: Low-noise ADC for spectrum analysis across the 0–150 MHz IF output of a wideband downconverter stage
- Modulation analyzers: Dual-channel I/Q digitization with matched amplitude and phase response for accurate EVM measurement
Summary: RVX3622MPB delivers 16-bit precision at 310 MSPS with a measured 68.1 dBFS SNR at 70 MHz — closely matching the AD9652 in the performance parameters critical for signal analysis and precision digitization. Its dual-channel architecture supports simultaneous I/Q digitization in a BGA144 package, with full export compliance from Hong Kong.
Complete T&M Signal Chain
Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG)
[FPGA — Waveform Data / Pattern Memory]
│ JESD204B lanes
▼
RVX16S12GPPB (16-bit, 12GSPS, DUC) ← standard AWG
OR
RVX1213PPB (16-bit, 12.8GSPS, 4-ch) ← high-performance AWG
│ analog output (up to 6GHz after filtering)
▼
[Reconstruction filter → RF output connector]
High-Speed Digitizer / Signal Analyzer
[Analog input / RF front end]
│
▼
[Downconverter / IF stage] ← to baseband or low IF
│
▼
RVX3622MPB (16-bit, 310MSPS, dual-ch) ← SNR 68.1dBFS @70MHz
│ LVDS or JESD204B
▼
[FPGA — FFT / Demodulation / Capture]
Summary: The Radivix T&M signal chain — RVX16S12GPPB or RVX1213PPB on the stimulus path, RVX3622MPB on the acquisition path — provides a complete, export-compliant alternative to the Analog Devices AD9164/AD9652 reference design. Both paths are supported by JESD204B interfaces compatible with standard FPGA IP cores, minimizing firmware development compared to fully custom implementations.
Applications
RVX16S12GPPB or RVX1213PPB drives AWG output at up to 12.8 GSPS with 75 dB SFDR, enabling microwave stimulus signals up to 6 GHz output.
RVX3622MPB provides 16-bit precision capture at 310 MSPS for transient digitizers and waveform recorders in benchtop and embedded instrument form factors.
RVX3622MPB's 68.1 dBFS SNR and 650 MHz analog BW serve as the digitization back-end for spectrum and modulation analyzers requiring high dynamic range.
Dual-channel RVX3622MPB supports simultaneous differential or two-channel acquisition at 16-bit resolution — suitable for precision oscilloscope acquisition cards.
Defense T&M and EW Applications
Defense research laboratories and radar test ranges require AWG stimulus sources capable of generating complex waveforms — LFM chirps, polyphase codes, DRFM-replicated waveforms — at microwave frequencies. RVX1213PPB's 75 dB SFDR at 950 MHz and 12.8 GSPS sample rate make it the highest-performance available export-compliant DAC for these applications. Combined with RVX3622MPB for the receive/measurement path, Radivix enables a complete government T&M bench without US-origin component exposure.
Summary: Radivix T&M ICs serve AWG, digitizer, signal analyzer, and oscilloscope designs with 16-bit resolution across sample rates from 310 MSPS to 12.8 GSPS. For defense laboratories and government test facilities in regions subject to US export controls, these ICs provide the highest-performance export-compliant data converter alternative currently available anywhere.