Yes,
The dynamic range is set up in the front end, and these are not RF A/Ds.
Also, an A/D can be front ended with programmable gain amplifiers to make
the range anything you want at that stage of the process.
One of the issues Ten Tec has to address is it possible to use Motorola
parts now, and expect them to be available over the life of the product and
its support period? Motorola is divesting itself of IC and transistor
manufacturing left and right, unfortunately. They are struggling to survive
it seems.
Depending on the quantity of first production run, much silicon can now be
put into semicustom chips, and this might be one way they go.
Hopefully, they will take a look at various suppliers, who are dynamic in
their support of analog and digital solutions like Analog Devices, Maxim,
etc. Maxim is doing a lot of RF work now, and has acquired Dallas
Semiconductor recently. That company has ID chips that you can wear as a
key ring. You could have sole control over who operates your Orion, if it
had the IC "key". Hi!
73,
Stuart K5KVH
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