Analog Devices Inc. ADRF5347-EVALZ

Overview

ADRF5347-EVALZ from Analog Devices is an evaluation board designed to accelerate development and characterization of the ADRF5347 high-linearity silicon SP4T RF switch (1–6 GHz), supporting rapid prototyping of 5G beamforming, antenna tuning, and phase-shifter reference designs. It provides full access to all 20 LGA terminals, includes matched 50 Ω CPWG routing, onboard decoupling, and supports hot-switching validation up to 49 dBm peak LTE power.

For engineers reviewing the ADRF5347-EVALZ datasheet, ADRF5347-EVALZ pinout, ADRF5347-EVALZ application, or ADRF5347-EVALZ equivalent, this board enables fast functional verification, insertion loss/phase variance measurement across temperature, back-to-back phase shifter implementation, and ESD-safe RF switching validation under real-world LTE signal conditions.

Technical Context

The ADRF5347-EVALZ implements the ADRF5347 SP4T switch in a 4 mm × 4 mm, 20-terminal LGA package with exposed thermal pad, configured for reflective operation and bidirectional RF paths. It supports dual-supply operation (VDD = +5.0 V, VSS = −3.4 V) and LVCMOS/LVTTL-compatible control (LS, V1, V2) with <720 ns 0.1 dB settling time.

Board-level design follows Analog Devices' recommended PCB stack-up: Rogers RO4350 substrate (10 mil dielectric), 18 mil CPWG trace width, 13 mil clearance, and dense ground via stitching beneath the exposed pad. RF ports are DC-coupled and internally 50 Ω matched-no external matching required when RF bias = 0 V.

Key Specifications

Availability

ADRF5347-EVALZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for 5G massive MIMO base stations, military radar front-ends, wireless test equipment calibration, and phased-array antenna development requiring stable component supply and validated RF evaluation infrastructure.

Supply support for ADRF5347-EVALZ includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Analog Devices, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and RF ICs, serving communications, industrial, automotive, and defense markets with precision signal processing solutions.

The ADRF5347-EVALZ belongs to Analog Devices' RF Switch Evaluation Platform family, engineered specifically to de-risk adoption of high-linearity silicon SPnT switches in next-generation 5G infrastructure and electronic warfare systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ADRF5347-EVALZ?

The ADRF5347-EVALZ is an evaluation board for the ADRF5347 SP4T RF switch. It provides a ready-to-use platform to validate switching performance-including insertion loss, isolation, phase variance, and LTE signal linearity-across 1–6 GHz. The ADRF5347-EVALZ enables rapid testing of beamforming architectures, back-to-back phase shifters, and antenna tuning circuits without custom PCB design.

Does the ADRF5347-EVALZ support hot switching at full rated power?

Yes, the ADRF5347-EVALZ supports hot switching validation up to 37 dBm average / 47 dBm peak LTE power at TCASE = 105°C, matching the ADRF5347's specified hot-switching capability. The board's thermal layout-dense ground vias, exposed paddle soldering, and low-thermal-resistance PCB stack-up-ensures reliable operation under sustained high-power RF stress conditions as defined in the ADRF5347 datasheet.

Can the ADRF5347-EVALZ be used to implement a back-to-back phase shifter?

Yes, the ADRF5347-EVALZ is explicitly designed to support back-to-back phase shifter reference designs, as documented in the ADRF5347 datasheet (Section "Back-to-Back Phase Shifter Reference Design"). Its layout preserves signal integrity between RFC and RFx ports, enabling precise 0°/30°/60°/90° phase steps at 3.6 GHz using two ADRF5347 devices-validated on Aerowave-300 substrate with measured insertion loss and normalized phase plots.

What RF connector type is used on the ADRF5347-EVALZ?

The ADRF5347-EVALZ uses five female SMA connectors: one for the RFC port and one each for RF1, RF2, RF3, and RF4. All connectors are 50 Ω impedance-matched and DC-coupled, aligned with the ADRF5347's internal 50 Ω RF port matching-eliminating need for external DC blocking when RF lines operate at 0 V bias.

Is external power supply sequencing required for the ADRF5347-EVALZ?

Yes-proper power sequencing is critical. Per the ADRF5347 datasheet, the ADRF5347-EVALZ requires VDD powered before VSS, and digital controls (LS/V1/V2) applied only after both supplies are stable. The board includes dedicated test points and jumpers to enforce this sequence; violating it risks forward-biasing internal ESD protection structures and damaging the ADRF5347 device mounted on the ADRF5347-EVALZ.