analog front-end
{{Short description|Analog signal conditioning circuitry}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2013}}
File:Atheros_Intellon_1200_AFE.jpeg
An analog front-end (AFE or analog front-end controller AFEC) is a set of analog signal conditioning circuitry that uses sensitive analog amplifiers, often operational amplifiers, filters, and sometimes application-specific integrated circuits for sensors, radio receivers, and other circuits to provide a configurable and flexible electronics functional block needed to interface a variety of sensors to an antenna, analog-to-digital converter or, in some cases, to a microcontroller.
A radio frequency AFE is used in radio receivers, known as an RF front end.{{Cite news
|url= http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1276331
|title= What's in an RF Front End?
|work= EE Times
|author= Christopher Bowick
|date= February 4, 2008
|accessdate= October 3, 2013
}}
Modules
AFE hardware modules are used as interface sensors for many kinds of analog and digital systems, providing hardware modularity. For example, Texas Instruments markets health monitoring AFEs as the ADS1298, AFE4400 and AFE4490.{{Cite news
|url= http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1262310
|title=Inside TI's ADS1298 analog front end for health monitoring
|work= EE Times
|author= Treena Grevatt
|date= August 9, 2012
|accessdate= October 3, 2013
}}{{Cite web |title= AFE4400: Integrated Analog Front End for Heart Rate Monitors and Low Cost Pulse Oximeters |url= http://www.ti.com/product/afe4400 |work= Product web page |publisher= Texas Instruments |accessdate= October 3, 2013 }} Atmel markets analog front-ends for smart meters.{{Cite web |title= Atmel Acquires IDT's Smart Metering Product Line |url= http://www.atmel.com/microsite/smart-energy-solutions/default.aspx |work= Product web page |publisher= Atmel |accessdate= October 3, 2013 }}
Analog Devices markets a CN0209 product for test and measurement applications.{{Cite web |title= CN0209: Fully Programmable Universal Analog Front End for Process Control Applications |url= http://www.analog.com/en/circuits-from-the-lab/CN0209/vc.html |work= Product web page |publisher= Analog Devices |accessdate= October 3, 2013 }}