19-1324; Rev 1; 2/98
KIT
ATION
EVALU
BLE
AVAILA
Low-Cost RF Up/Downconverter
with LNA and PA Driver
____________________________Features
o
Low-Cost Silicon Bipolar Design
o
Integrated Upconvert/Downconvert Function
o
Operates from a Single +2.7V to +5.5V Supply
o
3.2dB Combined Receiver Noise Figure:
2.4dB (LNA)
9.2dB (mixer)
o
Flexible Power-Amplifier Driver:
18dBm Output Third-Order Intercept (OIP3)
35dB Gain-Control Range
o
LO Buffer for Low LO Drive Level
o
Low Power Consumption:
60mW Receive
90mW Full-Power Transmit
o
0.3µW Shutdown Mode
o
Flexible Power-Down Modes Compatible with
MAX2510/MAX2511 IF Transceivers
________________General Description
The MAX2411A performs the RF front-end transmit/
receive function in time-division-duplex (TDD) communi-
cation systems. It operates over a wide frequency range
and is optimized for RF frequencies around 1.9GHz.
Applications include most popular cordless and PCS
standards. The MAX2411A includes a low-noise amplifier
(LNA), a downconverter mixer, a local-oscillator buffer, an
upconverter mixer, and a variable-gain power-amplifier
(PA) driver in a low-cost, plastic surface-mount package.
The MAX2411A’s unique bidirectional, differential IF port
reduces cost and component count by allowing the trans-
mit and receive paths to share the same IF filter.
The LNA has a 2.4dB typical noise figure and a -10dBm
input third-order intercept point (IP3). The downconvert-
er mixer has a low 9.2dB noise figure and 4dBm input
IP3. Image and local-oscillator filtering are implemented
off-chip for maximum flexibility. The PA driver amplifier
has 15dB of gain, which can be reduced over a 35dB
range. Power consumption is only 60mW in receive
mode and 90mW in transmit mode and drops to less
than 3µW in shutdown mode.
For applications requiring separate, single-ended IF
input and output ports, refer to the MAX2410 data
sheet. For applications requiring only a receive func-
tion, Maxim offers a low-cost downconverter with LNA
(see the MAX2406 data sheet).
MAX2411A
_______________Ordering Information
PART
MAX2411AEEI
MAX2411AE/D
TEMP. RANGE
-40°C to +85°C
-40°C to +85°C
PIN-PACKAGE
28 QSOP
Dice*
*Dice
are specified at T
A
= 25°C, DC parameters only.
________________________Applications
PWT1900
DCS1800/PCS1900
PHS/PACS
DECT
ISM-Band Transceivers
Iridium Handsets
TOP VIEW
GND 1
LNAIN 2
GND 3
Pin Configuration
28 GND
27 LNAOUT
26 GND
Typical Operating Circuit appears on last page.
Functional Diagram
LNAOUT
RXMXIN
RX MIXER
LNAIN
RXEN
TXEN
PADROUT
LNA
IF
IF
LO
LO
GND 4
V
CC
5
RXEN 6
LO 7
LO 8
TXEN 9
V
CC
10
GC 11
GND 12
MAX2411A
25 GND
24 RXMXIN
23 GND
22 IF
21 IF
20 GND
19 TXMXOUT
18 GND
17 GND
16 PADRIN
15 GND
POWER
MANAGEMENT
MAX2411A
PA DRIVER
TX MIXER
GC PADRIN
TXMXOUT
PADROUT 13
GND 14
QSOP
________________________________________________________________
Maxim Integrated Products
1
For free samples & the latest literature: http://www.maxim-ic.com, or phone 1-800-998-8800.
For small orders, phone 408-737-7600 ext. 3468.
Low-Cost RF Up/Downconverter
with LNA and PA Driver
MAX2411A
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
V
CC
to GND ................................................................-0.3V to 6V
LNAIN Input Power ...........................................................15dBm
LO,
LO
Input Power ..........................................................10dBm
PADRIN Input Power.........................................................10dBm
RXMXIN Input Power ........................................................10dBm
IF,
IF
Input Power (transmit mode) ...................................10dBm
Voltage at RXEN, TXEN, GC.......................-0.3V to (V
CC
+ 0.3V)
Continuous Power Dissipation (T
A
= +70°C)
QSOP (derate 11mW/°C above +70°C) ........................909mW
Junction Temperature ......................................................+150°C
Operating Temperature Range ...........................-40°C to +85°C
Storage Temperature.........................................-65°C to +165°C
Lead Temperature (soldering, 10sec) .............................+300°C
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(V
CC
= +2.7V to +5.5V, V
GC
= +3.0V, RXEN = TXEN = 0.6V, PADROUT pulled up to V
CC
with 50Ω resistor; IF,
IF
pulled up to V
CC
with 50Ω resistor, TXMXOUT pulled up to V
CC
with 125Ω resistor, LNAOUT pulled up to V
CC
with 100Ω resistor, all RF inputs open,
T
A
= -40°C to +85°C. Typical values are at +25°C and V
CC
= +3.0V, unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
Supply-Voltage Range
Digital Input Voltage High
Digital Input Voltage Low
RXEN Input Bias Current (Note 1)
TXEN Input Bias Current (Note 1)
GC Input Bias Current
Supply Current, Receive Mode
Supply Current, Transmit Mode
Supply Current, Standby Mode
Supply Current, Shutdown Mode
RXEN, TXEN pins
RXEN, TXEN pins
RXEN = 2.0V
TXEN = 2.0V
GC = 3V, TXEN = 2V
RXEN = 2.0V
TXEN = 2.0V
RXEN = 2.0V, TXEN = 2.0V
V
CC
= 3.0V
0.1
0.1
35
20
30
160
0.1
CONDITIONS
MIN
2.7
2.0
0.6
1
1
51.1
29.6
44.7
520
10
TYP
MAX
5.5
UNITS
V
V
V
µA
µA
µA
mA
mA
µA
µA
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(MAX2411A EV kit, V
CC
= +3.0V, V
GC
= +2.15V, RXEN = TXEN = low, all measurements performed in 50Ω environment,
f
LO
= 1.5GHz, P
LO
= -10dBm, f
LNAIN
= f
PADRIN
= f
RXMXIN
= 1.9GHz, P
LNAIN
= -32dBm, P
PADRIN
= P
RXMXIN
= -22dBm,
f
IF,
IF
= 400MHz, P
IF
= -32dBm (Note 1), T
A
= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
LOW-NOISE AMPLIFIER
(RXEN = high)
Gain (Note 2)
Noise Figure
Input IP3
Output 1dB Compression
LO to LNAIN Leakage
RECEIVE MIXER
(RXEN = high)
Conversion Gain (Note 2)
Noise Figure
Input IP3
Input 1dB Compression
IF Frequency
Minimum LO Drive Level
2
(Notes 2, 5)
(Note 6)
-17
T
A
= +25°C
T
A
= -40°C to +85°C
Single sideband
(Note 4)
8.5
7.5
9.2
4.0
-7.7
450
9.4
10.0
10.9
dB
dB
dBm
dBm
MHz
dBm
RXEN = high or low
(Note 3)
T
A
= +25°C
T
A
= T
MIN
to T
MAX
14.2
12.6
2.4
-10
-5
-49
16.2
17.4
19.1
dB
dB
dBm
dBm
dBm
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Low-Cost RF Up/Downconverter
with LNA and PA Driver
MAX2411A
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)
(MAX2411A EV kit, V
CC
= +3.0V, V
GC
= +2.15V, RXEN = TXEN = low, all measurements performed in 50Ω environment,
f
LO
= 1.5GHz, P
LO
= -10dBm, f
LNAIN
= f
PADRIN
= f
RXMXIN
= 1.9GHz, P
LNAIN
= -32dBm, P
PADRIN
= P
RXMXIN
= -22dBm,
f
IF,
IF
= 400MHz, P
IF
= -32dBm (Note 1), all impedance measurements made directly to pin (no matching network), T
A
= +25°C,
unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
TRANSMIT MIXER
(TXEN = high)
Conversion Gain (Note 1)
Output IP3
Output 1dB Compression Point
LO Leakage
Noise Figure
IF Frequency
Intermod Spurious Response
(Note 8)
PA DRIVER
(TXEN = high)
Gain (Note 2)
Output IP3
Output 1dB Compression Point
Gain-Control Range
Gain-Control Sensitivity
(Note 9)
Receive mode (TXEN = low)
Transmit mode (RXEN = low)
RXEN = low to high
TXEN = low to high
LOCAL-OSCILLATOR INPUTS
(RXEN = TXEN = high)
Input Relative VSWR
1.10
1.02
0.5
0.3
2.5
2.5
µs
µs
T
A
= +25°C
T
A
= T
MIN
to T
MAX
(Note 4)
13
12.3
18
6.3
35
12
15
16.4
17
dB
dBm
dBm
dB
dB/V
Single sideband
(Notes 2, 5)
F
OUT
= 2LO-2IF = 2.2GHz
F
OUT
= 2LO-3IF = 1.8GHz
F
OUT
= 3LO-6IF = 2.1GHz
-45.5
-70
-90
dBc
T
A
= +25°C
T
A
= T
MIN
to T
MAX
(Notes 1, 7)
6.8
5.7
0.5
-11.1
-58
8.3
450
8.5
9.3
10.4
dB
dBm
dBm
dBm
dB
MHz
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
POWER MANAGEMENT
(RXEN = TXEN = low)
Receiver Turn-On Time (Notes 2, 10)
Transmitter Turn-On Time (Notes 2, 11)
Note 1:
Power delivered to IF SMA connector of MAX2411A EV kit. Power delivered to MAX2411A IC is approximately 1.0dB less
due to balun losses.
Note 2:
Guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 3:
Two tones at 1.9GHz and 1.901GHz at -32dBm per tone.
Note 4:
Two tones at 1.9GHz and 1.901GHz at -22dBm per tone.
Note 5:
Mixer operation guaranteed to this frequency. For optimum gain, adjust output match. See the
Typical Operating
Characteristics
for graphs of IF port impedance versus IF frequency.
Note 6:
At this LO drive level, the mixer conversion gain is typically 1dB lower than with -10dBm LO drive.
Note 7:
Two tones at 400MHz and 401MHz at -32dBm per tone.
Note 8:
Transmit mixer output at -17dBm.
Note 9:
Calculated from measurements taken at V
GC
= 1.0V and V
GC
= 1.5V.
Note 10:
Time from RXEN = low to RXEN = high transition until the combined receive gain is within 1dB of its final value. Measured
with 47pF blocking capacitors on LNAIN and LNAOUT.
Note 11:
Time from TXEN = low to TXEN = high transition until the combined transmit gain is within 1dB of its final value. Measured
with 47pF blocking capacitors on PADRIN and PADROUT.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3
Low-Cost RF Up/Downconverter
with LNA and PA Driver
MAX2411A
__________________________________________Typical Operating Characteristics
(MAX2411A EV kit, V
CC
= +3.0V, V
GC
= +2.15V, RXEN = TXEN = low, all measurements performed in 50Ω environment,
f
LO
= 1.5GHz, P
LO
= -10dBm, f
LNAIN
= f
PADRIN
= f
RXMXIN
= 1.9GHz, P
LNAIN
= -32dBm, P
PADRIN
= P
RXMXIN
= -22dBm,
f
IF,
IF
= 400MHz, P
IF
= -32dBm (Note 1), all impedance measurements made directly to pin (no matching network), T
A
= +25°C,
unless otherwise noted.)
TRANSMIT-MODE SUPPLY CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
MAX2411A-01
RECEIVE-MODE SUPPLY CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
MAX2411A-02
SHUTDOWN SUPPLY CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
SHUTDOWN SUPPLY CURRENT (µA)
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
V
CC
= 5.5V
V
CC
= 4.0V
V
CC
= 3.0V
V
CC
= 2.7V
-40
-15
10
35
60
85
RXEN = TXEN = GND
MAX2411A-03
MAX2411A-06
38
TRANSMITTER SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
36
24
RECEIVE SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
TXEN = V
CC
V
CC
= 5.5V
RXEN = V
CC
V
CC
= 5.5V
0.10
34
V
CC
= 4.0V
32
30
28
V
CC
= 2.7V
26
-40
-15
10
35
60
85
TEMPERATURE (°C)
V
CC
= 3.0V
V
CC
= 4.0V
V
CC
= 3.0V
V
CC
= 2.7V
-40
-15
10
35
60
85
0
TEMPERATURE (°C)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
STANDBY SUPPLY CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
MAX2411A-04
LNA INPUT IMPEDANCE
vs. FREQUENCY
MAX2411A-05
LNA OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
vs. FREQUENCY
40
0
250
RXEN = V
CC
IMAGINARY IMPEDANCE (Ω)
IMAGINARY IMPEDANCE (Ω)
200
REAL IMPEDANCE (Ω)
IMAGINARY
150
-50
-25
0
500
STANDBY SUPPLY CURRENT (µA)
RXEN = TXEN = 2.0V
120
IMAGINARY
100
REAL IMPEDANCE (Ω)
RXEN = V
CC
80
60
40
REAL
20
0
400
V
CC
= 5.5V
300
V
CC
= 4.0V
200
-40
-80
-120
-160
-200
100
REAL
-75
100
V
CC
= 2.7V
0
-40
-15
10
V
CC
= 3.0V
50
-100
0
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
FREQUENCY (GHz)
35
60
85
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
-125
3.0
TEMPERATURE (°C)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
LNA GAIN vs. FREQUENCY
MAX2411A-07
LNA GAIN vs. TEMPERATURE
MAX2411A-08
LNA INPUT IP3 vs. TEMPERATURE
-6
-7
INPUT IP3 (dBm)
-8
-9
-10
-11
-12
V
CC
= 5.5V
V
CC
= 4.0V
V
CC
= 2.7V
V
CC
= 3.0V
RXEN = V
CC
MAX2411A-09
30
25
LNA GAIN (dB)
20
15
10
5
0
0
1pF SHUNT CAPACITOR AT LNA INPUT
USING EV KIT MATCHING CIRCUIT
(OPTIMIZED FOR 1.9GHz)
RXEN = V
CC
20
RXEN = V
CC
19
18
LNA GAIN (dB)
17
16
15
14
13
V
CC
= 2.7V
V
CC
= 3.0V
V
CC
= 5.5V
V
CC
= 4.0V
-5
-13
-14
-15
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
-40
-15
10
35
60
85
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
FREQUENCY (GHz)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
4
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Low-Cost RF Up/Downconverter
with LNA and PA Driver
_____________________________Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
(MAX2411A EV kit, V
CC
= +3.0V, V
GC
= +2.15V, RXEN = TXEN = low, all measurements performed in 50Ω environment, f
LO
= 1.5GHz,
P
LO
= -10dBm, f
LNAIN
= f
PADRIN
= f
RXMXIN
= 1.9GHz, P
LNAIN
= -32dBm, P
PADRIN
= P
RXMXIN
= -22dBm, f
IF,
IF
= 400MHz,
P
IF
= -32dBm (Note 1), all impedance measurements made directly to pin (no matching network), T
A
= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)
LNA OUTPUT 1dB COMPRESSION POINT
vs. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
MAX2411A-10
MAX2411A-11
MAX2411A
LNA NOISE FIGURE vs. FREQUENCY
5.0
4.5
4.0
NOISE FIGURE (dB)
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
100
480
860
1240
1620
2000
FREQUENCY (MHz)
RXEN = V
CC
0
OUTPUT 1dB COMPRESSION POINT (dBm)
PA DRIVER INPUT IMPEDANCE
vs. FREQUENCY
160
140
REAL IMPEDANCE (Ω)
120
100
80
60
40
REAL
TXEN = V
CC
IMAGINARY
MAX2411A-12
70
30
-10
-50
-90
-130
-170
-210
-250
IMAGINARY IMPEDANCE (Ω)
RXEN = V
CC
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
2.7
3.2
3.7
4.2
4.7
5.2
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
20
0
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
FREQUENCY (GHz)
PA DRIVER OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
vs. FREQUENCY
200
TXEN = V
CC
175
REAL IMPEDANCE (Ω)
150
125
100
75
50
25
0
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
FREQUENCY (GHz)
REAL
IMAGINARY
0
-50
-100
-150
-200
-250
-300
-350
IMAGINARY IMPEDANCE (Ω)
25
20
GAIN (dB)
15
10
5
0
0
MAX2411A-13
PA DRIVER GAIN vs. FREQUENCY
MAX2411A-14
PA DRIVER GAIN AND OUTPUT IP3
vs. GC VOLTAGE
15
GAIN (dB) OR OUTPUT IP3 (dBm)
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
GAIN
IP3
TXEN = V
CC
MAX2411A-15
50
30
USING EV KIT
MATCHING NETWORK
(OPTIMIZED FOR 1.9GHz)
TXEN = V
CC
20
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2
GC VOLTAGE (V)
FREQUENCY (GHz)
PA DRIVER OUTPUT IP3
vs. TEMPERATURE
MAX2411A-16
PA DRIVER GAIN vs. TEMPERATURE
MAX2411A-17
PA DRIVER OUTPUT 1dB COMPRESSION
vs. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
OUTPUT 1dB COMPRESSION POINT (dBm)
MAX2411A-18
21
TXEN = V
CC
20
OUTPUT IP3 (dBm)
19
18
V
CC
= 4.0V
17
16
15
14
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
V
CC
= 3.0V
V
CC
= 2.7V
V
CC
= 5.5V
18
TXEN = V
CC
17
PA DRIVER GAIN (dB)
16
15
14
13
12
V
CC
= 2.7V
V
CC
= 5.5V
V
CC
= 4.0V
8
6
4
TXEN = V
CC
2
0
-2
V
GC
= 1.0V
-4
2.7
3.2
3.7
4.2
4.7
5.2
V
GC
= 2.15V
V
CC
= 3.0V
100
-40
-15
10
35
60
85
5.7
TEMPERATURE (°C)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5