EVALUATION KIT AVAILABLE
MAX2837
2.3GHz to 2.7GHz Wireless
Broadband RF Transceiver
General Description
The MAX2837 direct-conversion zero-IF RF transceiver
is designed specifically for 2.3GHz to 2.7GHz wireless
broadband systems. The MAX2837 completely integrates
all circuitry required to implement the RF transceiver
function, providing RF-to-baseband receive path; and
baseband-to-RF transmit path, VCO, frequency synthe-
sizer, crystal oscillator, and baseband/control interface.
The device includes a fast-settling sigma-delta RF syn-
thesizer with smaller than 20Hz frequency steps and a
crystal oscillator, which allows the use of a low-cost crys-
tal in place of a TCXO. The transceiver IC also integrates
circuits for on-chip DC offset cancellation, I/Q error, and
carrier-leakage detection circuits. Only an RF bandpass
filter (BPF), crystal, RF switch, PA, and a small number of
passive components are needed to form a complete wire-
less broadband RF radio solution.
The MAX2837 completely eliminates the need for an
external SAW filter by implementing on-chip monolithic
filters for both the receiver and transmitter. The baseband
filters along with the Rx and Tx signal paths are optimized
to meet stringent noise figure and linearity specifica-
tions. The device supports up to 2048 FFT OFDM and
implements programmable channel filters for 1.75MHz to
28MHz RF channel bandwidths. The transceiver requires
only 2μs Tx-Rx switching time, which includes frequency
transient settling. The IC is available in a small, 48-pin
thin QFN package measuring only 6mm x 6mm x 0.8mm.
Features
●
2.3GHz to 2.7GHz Wideband Operation
●
Complete RF Transceiver, PA Driver, and Crystal
Oscillator
• 0dBm Linear OFDM Transmit Power
• -70dBr Tx Spectral Emission Mask
• 2.3dB Rx Noise Figure
• Tx/Rx I/Q Error and LO Leakage Detection
• Monolithic Low-Noise VCO with -39dBc
Integrated Phase Noise
• Programmable Tx I/Q Lowpass
Anti-Aliasing Filter
• Sigma-Delta Fractional-N PLL with
20Hz Step Size
• 45dB Tx Gain-Control Range
• 94dB Receive Gain-Control Range
• 60dB Analog RSSI Instantaneous
Dynamic Range
• 4-Wire SPI Digital Interface
• I/Q Analog Baseband Interface
• Digitally Tuned Crystal Oscillator
• On-Chip Digital Temperature Sensor Read-Out
●
+2.7V to +3.6V Transceiver Supply
●
Low-Power Shutdown Current
●
Small 48-Pin Thin QFN Package
(6mm x 6mm x 0.8mm)
Applications
●
●
●
●
●
802.16-2004 Fixed WiMAX
®
Korea Wibro and 802.16e Mobile WiMAX
Dual Mode™ WiMAX/802.11b/g Wi-Fi
Proprietary Wireless Broadband Systems
4G/LTE Systems
Ordering Information
PART
MAX2837ETM+TD
*EP
= Exposed pad.
+Denotes
a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
TEMP RANGE
-40°C to +85°C
PIN-PACKAGE
48 TQFN-EP*
Pin Configuration
appears at end of data sheet.
Dual Mode is a trademark of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
WiMAX is a registered certification mark and registered service
mark of the WiMAX Forum.
19-0806; Rev 2; 7/15
MAX2837
2.3GHz to 2.7GHz Wireless
Broadband RF Transceiver
Absolute Maximum Ratings
V
CCLNA
, V
CCTXMX
, V
CCTXPAD
, V
CCDIG
, V
CCCP
, V
CCXTAL
,
V
CCVCO
, V
CCRXVGA
, V
CCRXFL
and V
CCRXMX
to
GND ..................................................................-0.3V to +3.9V
B1–B7, TXRF_,
CS,
SCLK, DIN, DOUT, TXBBI_, TXBBQ_,
RXHP, RXBBI_, RXBBQ_, RSSI, ENABLE, BYPASS,
CPOUT_, CLOCKOUT, XTAL1, XTAL2, RXRF_,RXENABLE,
TXENABLE to GND ............. -0.3V to (Operating V
CC
+ 0.3V)
RXBBI_, RXBBQ_, RSSI, BYPASS, CPOUT_, DOUT, CLOCKOUT,
PABIAS Short-Circuit Duration ............................................ 10s
RF Input Power ..............................................................+10dBm
Continuous Power Dissipation (T
A
= +70°C)
48-Pin Thin QFN (derates 37mW/°C above +70°C) .....2.96W
Operating Temperature Range ........................... -40°C to +85°C
Junction Temperature ......................................................+150°C
Storage Temperature Range ............................ -65°C to +160°C
Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) ................................. +260°C
CAUTION!
ESD SENSITIVE DEVICE
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
(MAX2837 evaluation kit: V
CC_
= 2.7V to 3.6V, Rx set to the maximum gain;
CS
= high, RXHP = SCLK = DIN = low, RSSI and clock
output buffer are off, no signal at RF inputs, all RF inputs and outputs terminated into 50Ω, receiver baseband outputs are open;
90mV
RMS
differential I and Q signals applied to I, Q baseband inputs of transmitter in transmit mode, f
REF
= 40MHz, registers set to
recommended settings and corresponding test mode, T
A
= -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at V
CC
= 2.8V,
f
LO
= 2.5GHz, and T
A
= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
Supply Voltage
V
CC_
Shutdown mode, T
A
= +25°C
Standby mode
Supply Current
Rx mode
Tx mode, T
A
= +25°C
Rx calibration mode
Tx calibration mode
D9:D8 = 00 in A4:A0 = 00100
Rx I/Q Output Common-Mode
Voltage
Tx Baseband Input Common-
Mode Voltage Operating Range
Tx Baseband Input Bias Current
Digital Input-Voltage High, V
IH
Digital Input-Voltage Low, V
IL
Digital Input-Current Low, I
IL
Digital Input-Current High, I
IH
D9:D8 = 01 in A4:A0 = 00100
D9:D8 = 10 in A4:A0 = 00100
D9:D8 = 11 in A4:A0 = 00100
DC-coupled
Source current
0.5
10
V
CC
- 0.4
-1
-1
0.85
CONDITIONS
MIN
2.7
10
35
91
145
135
110
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.35
1.2
20
V
µA
V
0.4
+1
+1
V
µA
µA
45
110
170
160
135
1.20
V
mA
TYP
MAX
3.6
UNITS
V
µA
LOGIC INPUTS: ENABLE, TXENABLE, RXENABLE, SCLK, DIN,
CS,
B7:B1, RXHP
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MAX2837
2.3GHz to 2.7GHz Wireless
Broadband RF Transceiver
DC Electrical Characteristics (continued)
(MAX2837 evaluation kit: V
CC_
= 2.7V to 3.6V, Rx set to the maximum gain;
CS
= high, RXHP = SCLK = DIN = low, RSSI and clock
output buffer are off, no signal at RF inputs, all RF inputs and outputs terminated into 50Ω, receiver baseband outputs are open;
90mV
RMS
differential I and Q signals applied to I, Q baseband inputs of transmitter in transmit mode, f
REF
= 40MHz, registers set to
recommended settings and corresponding test mode, T
A
= -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at V
CC
= 2.8V,
f
LO
= 2.5GHz, and T
A
= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
LOGIC OUTPUTS: DOUT
Digital Output-Voltage High, V
OH
Digital Output-Voltage Low, V
OL
Sourcing 100µA
Sinking 100µA
V
CC
- 0.4
V
0.4
V
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
AC Electrical Characteristics—Rx MODE
(MAX2837 evaluation kit: V
CC
_ = 2.8V, f
RF
= 2.502GHz, f
LO
= 2.5GHz; receiver baseband I/Q outputs at 90mV
RMS
(-21dBV), f
REF
= 40MHz, ENABLE = RXENABLE =
CS
= high, TXENABLE = SCLK = DIN = low, with power matching for the differential RF pins
using the typical applications and registers set to default settings and corresponding test mode, T
A
= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.
Lowpass filter is set to 10MHz RF channel BW. Unmodulated single-tone RF input signal is used, unless otherwise indicated.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
RF Input Frequency Range
Peak-to-Peak Gain Variation over
RF Input Frequency Range
RF Input Return Loss
Total Voltage Gain
RF Gain Steps
Tested at band edges and band center
All LNA gain settings
T
A
= -40°C to +85°C
Maximum gain, B7:B1 = 0000000
Minimum gain, B7:B1 = 1111111
90
CONDITIONS
MIN
2.3
0.8
13
99
5
8
16
32
0.2
µs
2
58
62
2
Voltage gain R 65dB with max RF gain (B7:B6 = 00)
Voltage gain = 50dB with max RF gain - 8dB
(B7:B6 = 01)
DSB Noise Figure
Voltage gain = 45dB with max RF gain - 16dB
(B7:B6 = 10)
Voltage gain = 15dB with max RF gain - 32dB
(B7:B6 = 11)
2.3
5.5
17
27
dB
66
dB
dB
dB
13
TYP
MAX
2.7
UNITS
GHz
dB
dB
dB
RECEIVER SECTION: LNA RF INPUT TO BASEBAND I/Q OUTPUTS
From max RF gain to max RF gain - 8dB
From max RF gain to max RF gain - 16dB
From max RF gain to max RF gain - 32dB
Gain Change Settling Time
Any RF or baseband gain change; gain settling to within
P1dB of steady state; RXHP = 1
Any RF or baseband gain change; gain settling to within
P0.1dB of steady state; RXHP = 1
From maximum baseband gain (B5:B1 = 00000) to minimum
baseband gain (B5:B1 = 11111),
T
A
= -40°C to +85°C
Baseband Gain Range
Baseband Gain Minimum
Step Size
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3
MAX2837
2.3GHz to 2.7GHz Wireless
Broadband RF Transceiver
AC Electrical Characteristics—Rx MODE (continued)
(MAX2837 evaluation kit: V
CC
_ = 2.8V, f
RF
= 2.502GHz, f
LO
= 2.5GHz; receiver baseband I/Q outputs at 90mV
RMS
(-21dBV), f
REF
= 40MHz, ENABLE = RXENABLE =
CS
= high, TXENABLE = SCLK = DIN = low, with power matching for the differential RF pins
using the typical applications and registers set to default settings and corresponding test mode, T
A
= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.
Lowpass filter is set to 10MHz RF channel BW. Unmodulated single-tone RF input signal is used, unless otherwise indicated.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
In-Band Input P-1dB
CONDITIONS
Max RF gain (B7:B6 = 00)
Max RF gain - 8dB (B7:B6 = 01)
Max RF gain - 16dB (B7:B6 = 10)
Max RF gain - 32dB (B7:B6 = 11)
Maximum Output Signal Level
Over passband frequency range; at any gain setting; 1dB
compression point
Max RF gain (B7:B6 = 00), AGC set for -65dBm
wanted signal
Max RF gain - 8dB (B7:B6 = 01), AGC set for -55dBm
wanted signal
Max RF gain - 16dB (B7:B6 = 10), AGC set for -40dBm
wanted signal
Max RF gain - 32dB (B7:B6 = 11), AGC set for -30dBm
wanted signal
I/Q Phase Error
I/Q Gain Imbalance
Rx I/Q Output Load Impedance
(R || C)
I/Q Output DC Droop
50kHz baseband output; 1s variation
50kHz baseband output; 1s variation
Minimum differential resistance
Maximum differential capacitance
After switching RXHP to 0; average over 1µs after any gain
change, or 2µs after receive enabled with 100Hz interval AC-
coupling, 1s variation
No RF input signal; measure at 3µs after receive enable;
RXHP = 1 for 0 to 2µs and set to 0 after 2µs,
1s variation
Transmitter I/Q input to receiver I/Q output; transmitter B6:B1
= 000011, receiver B5:B1 = 10100 programmed through SPI
At 15MHz
Baseband Filter Rejection
At 20MHz
At > 40MHz
RXHP = 1 (used before AGC completion)
Baseband Highpass Filter Corner
Frequency
D5:D4 = 00
RXHP = 0 (used after
D5:D4 = 01
AGC completion) address
D5:D4 = 10
A4:A0 = 01110
D5:D4 = 11
-4.5
MIN
TYP
-37
-29
-21
-4
2.5
-11
-8
dBm
-6
+16
0.15
0.1
10
5
±1
Degrees
dB
kΩ
pF
mV/ms
V
P-P
dBm
MAX
UNITS
Out-of-Band Input IP3 (Note 2)
I/Q Static DC Offset
Loopback Gain
(for Receiver I/Q Calibration)
RECEIVER BASEBAND FILTERS
±1
0
57
75
90
650
0.1
1
30
100
+4.5
mV
dB
dB
kHz
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4
MAX2837
2.3GHz to 2.7GHz Wireless
Broadband RF Transceiver
AC Electrical Characteristics—Rx MODE (continued)
(MAX2837 evaluation kit: V
CC
_ = 2.8V, f
RF
= 2.502GHz, f
LO
= 2.5GHz; receiver baseband I/Q outputs at 90mV
RMS
(-21dBV), f
REF
= 40MHz, ENABLE = RXENABLE =
CS
= high, TXENABLE = SCLK = DIN = low, with power matching for the differential RF pins
using the typical applications and registers set to default settings and corresponding test mode, T
A
= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.
Lowpass filter is set to 10MHz RF channel BW. Unmodulated single-tone RF input signal is used, unless otherwise indicated.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 0000
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 0001
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 0010
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 0011
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 0100
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 0101
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 0110
RF Channel BW Supported by
Baseband Filter
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 0111
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 1000
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 1001
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 1010
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 1011
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 1100
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 1101
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 1110
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 1111
Baseband Gain Ripple
Baseband Group Delay Ripple
Baseband Filter Rejection for
5MHz RF Channel BW
Baseband Filter Rejection for
10MHz RF Channel BW
RSSI
RSSI Minimum Output Voltage
RSSI Maximum Output Voltage
RSSI Slope
RSSI Output Settling Time
R
LOAD
≥ 10kΩ
R
LOAD
≥ 10kΩ
To within 3dB of steady
state
+32dB signal step
-32dB signal step
0.4
2.2
30
200
800
V
V
mV/dB
ns
0 to 2.3MHz for BW = 5MHz
0 to 4.6MHz for BW = 10MHz
0 to 2.3MHz for BW = 5MHz
0 to 4.6MHz for BW = 10MHz
At 3.3MHz
At > 21MHz
At 6.7MHz
At > 41.6MHz
MIN
TYP
1.75
2.25
3.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
15.0
20.0
24.0
28.0
1.3
1.3
90
50
7
85
7
85
dB
P-P
ns
P-P
dB
dB
MHz
MAX
UNITS
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