Analog Devices RF and precision variable-gain amplifiers and step attenuators
A collection of Analog Devices programmable-gain amplifier and digital step attenuator chips (such as the AD8366, ADA4250, HMC425A, and ADL8113) used in RF signal chains, instrumentation, and test equipment to set signal levels under software control. They are typically found on niche industrial, communications, and measurement boards rather than in consumer hardware.
recommendation
It should stay in the kernel because the hardware is still actively sold by Analog Devices as recommended for new designs in 2025, and upstream development is ongoing — a new ADL8113 driver was being reviewed on the linux-iio list as recently as December 2025. Deployments are modest and specialised, but there is no sign of deprecation and clear evidence of continued vendor and maintainer investment.
repository signals
sources
- lore.kernel.org
Upstream activity is current: ADL8113 driver support was still being added/reviewed in December 2025, which is strong evidence this directory is not obsolete.
- git.kernel.org
The directory is a real driver collection covering multiple Analog Devices amplifier/attenuator parts, not a dead single-device stub.
- analog.com
ADL8113 was marketed by Analog Devices as recommended for new designs, indicating new-hardware availability in 2025-era planning windows.
- analog.com
AD8366 remained listed by Analog Devices as recommended for new designs, supporting continued availability rather than pure legacy status.
- analog.com
HMC425A remained listed by Analog Devices as recommended for new designs, reinforcing that this driver family still maps to sellable hardware.
codex reasoning notes (technical)
`exec_command` on local Kconfig showed four active drivers plus a broad supported-parts list under AD8366/HMC425A. `lore_activity` on adl8113.c showed repeated v4-v7 patch traffic and a December 12, 2025 linux-iio posting adding new support; that outweighs any age-based deprecation signal. `lore_file_timeline` on the directory returned no hits for the directory path itself, so I relied on per-file lore evidence instead. `web.search_query` found Analog Devices product pages for ADL8113, AD8366, and HMC425A, all marked recommended for new designs. I found no credible removal/deprecation discussion. These parts look niche industrial/RF/test-equipment components, so deployments are low, but there is still upstream and vendor evidence for keeping the directory.