Analog Devices announced the AD8017, a low-cost, dual, high-output current, low-power amplifier, capable of driving low-distortion signals to within 1.0 V of the +12-V supply rail. This driver amplifier was designed for single +12-V supply, xDSL systems such as PC-based ADSL, HDSL and xDSL modems.

The AD8017 drives a minimum of 270 mA of output current per amplifier while maintaining -58 dBc SFDR (spurious free dynamic range) at 1 MHz into 10 ohms, setting the standard for useable output current drive. Fabricated on Analog Devices' high-speed XFCB process, the high-bandwidth (160 MHz -3 dB BW), fast slew rate (1500 V/ýs) and low noise (1.9 nV/rtHz) of the AD8017 keep distortion to a minimum while drawing a low quiescent current of just 7 mA/amplifier (typ).

This combination of low distortion, high-output voltage drive and high-output current drive makes the AD8017 well-suited for low-cost Customer Premise End (CPE) equipment for ADSL, SDSL, VDSL and proprietary xDSL systems.

The AD8017 is fully specified at +/-2.5-V and +/-6-V supplies and also operates from a +12-V supply. Utilizing ADI's proprietary "Thermal Coastline" thermally enhanced SOIC package, the AD8017's total power (static and dynamic) on +12-V supplies easily dissipates without an external heat sink (other than placing the AD8017 on a 4-layer PCB). Operating temperature range is from 0 to +85ýC.

There hasn't been much attention to date, at least in the public domain, in getting the customer end of an xDSL modem down to price. While the processing stages will probably result in some fairly simple single or dual chip solutions the line driver will almost certainly be incompatible with the processing technology needed for those other stages. The drive current requirements are high for this application and there is also still needed a high SFDR. Both directly result in being able to use the modem over the longest lengths of copper back to the office. The AD8017's 270 mA current drive is good and the slew rate of 1500 V/ýs is quite high for this type of high output amplifier.

The low distortion and high current drive at nearly 12 V will make this a big seller into the first generation of "real" xDSL modems. The AD8017 is in production and is priced at $2.78 in 1000-piece lots.