ADMV4680 Functional Replacement: GX4680 Four-Channel Ku-Band Beamformer
GX4680 is a four-channel, half-duplex Ku-band beamforming IC designed for satellite terminals and electronically scanned phased-array antennas. Its receive path covers 10.7 GHz to 12.7 GHz, while its transmit path operates from 14.0 GHz to 14.5 GHz.
The device provides functions comparable to ADMV4680 at the system level but is not a pin-to-pin replacement. Migration requires evaluation and possible redesign of the package footprint, power supplies, RF interfaces, matching networks and control software.
GX4680 as a Functional ADMV4680 Replacement
GX4680 integrates four transmit paths, four receive paths and a four-way RF splitter/combiner network. Each channel provides independent 6-bit phase and amplitude adjustment for beam steering, channel calibration and amplitude tapering.
It can be evaluated as a functional replacement for ADMV4680 or selected for new Ku-band phased-array designs requiring high integration, fast beam switching and multichip SPI control.
Hardware and Software Changes Required for ADMV4680 Migration
GX4680 and ADMV4680 provide similar beamforming functions, including half-duplex T/R operation, programmable phase and gain control, SPI configuration, power detection and temperature monitoring.
However, GX4680 uses a different package, footprint, pin configuration, power architecture, RF interface and register implementation. It cannot be installed directly on an existing ADMV4680 PCB.
Replacing ADMV4680 with GX4680 may require changes to the schematic, PCB layout, RF matching network, power supply circuit, SPI driver and register configuration.
GX4680 vs ADMV4680: Key Specification Comparison
|
Specification |
ADMV4680 |
GX4680 |
|
Device Type |
Ku-Band Half-Duplex Beamformer |
Ku-Band Half-Duplex Beamformer |
|
Transmit / Receive Channels |
4T / 4R |
4T / 4R |
|
RF Frequency Coverage |
10.7–14.5 GHz |
RX: 10.7–12.7 GHz / TX: 14.0–14.5 GHz |
|
Four-Way Splitter/Combiner |
Integrated |
Integrated |
|
Phase Control |
Programmable, 6-Bit / 8-Bit Options |
6-Bit, 360° |
|
Phase Step Size |
Configuration Dependent |
5.6° |
|
Amplitude Control |
Programmable |
6-Bit, 31.5 dB |
|
Amplitude Step Size |
Configuration Dependent |
0.5 dB |
|
Typical Receive Noise Figure |
1.9 dB at 12.7 GHz |
3 dB |
|
Typical Receive Power |
78 mW |
57 mW per Channel |
|
Typical Transmit Output P1dB |
9.5 dBm |
10.5 dBm |
|
Typical Transmit Power |
108 mW |
60 mW Small Signal / 82.5 mW at P1dB per Channel |
|
Integrated Power Detectors |
4 |
4 |
|
Power Detection Range |
Refer to Datasheet |
−15 dBm to +10 dBm |
|
Temperature Sensor |
Integrated |
Integrated with 8-Bit ADC |
|
Beam-State Memory |
Refer to Detailed Datasheet |
Integrated TX and RX Memory |
|
Typical Beam Switching Time |
Refer to Detailed Datasheet |
10 ns |
|
SPI Control |
Yes |
Four-Wire SPI, Up to 50 MHz |
|
Shared SPI Bus |
Up to 32 Devices |
Up to 32 Devices |
|
Package |
Bumped Die, 3.19 mm × 2.49 mm |
WLCSP-79, 6.05 mm × 4.35 mm |
|
Pin-to-Pin Compatible |
— |
No |
|
PCB Redesign Required |
— |
Yes |
|
RF Matching Verification Required |
— |
Yes |
|
Software Modification Required |
— |
Yes |
Ku-Band Beamforming Performance and Applications
Key GX4680 features include:
l Four transmit and four receive channels
l Integrated four-way RF splitter/combiner
l RX frequency range from 10.7 GHz to 12.7 GHz
l TX frequency range from 14.0 GHz to 14.5 GHz
l 6-bit phase control with a 5.6° step size
l 6-bit amplitude control with a 0.5 dB step size
l Typical receive gain up to 35 dB with four-channel coherent combining
l Typical transmit gain of 34 dB
l Typical transmit output P1dB of 10.5 dBm
l Integrated power detectors and temperature monitoring
l Typical T/R switching time of 650 ns
l Typical beam switching time of 10 ns
l Four-wire SPI interface supporting up to 32 devices
l −55°C to +125°C operating temperature range
GX4680 is suitable for satellite user terminals, ground terminals, flat-panel satellite antennas, LEO, MEO and GEO communication equipment, multichip beamforming arrays and Ku-band transmit/receive front-end modules.
Replacement Evaluation and Technical Support
GXSC can provide samples and technical support for ADMV4680 functional replacement projects, including RF performance evaluation, PCB redesign, power architecture, SPI migration and beam-state configuration.
Request GX4680 Datasheet and Samples
Contact GXSC to request the GX4680 datasheet, samples, quotation or technical support for your ADMV4680 replacement evaluation or new Ku-band phased-array design.
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