19-0774; Rev 2; 3/11
IT
TION K
VALUA
E
BLE
AVAILA
2.4GHz to 2.5GHz 802.11g/b RF Transceiver, PA,
and Rx/Tx/Antenna Diversity Switch
General Description
The MAX2830 direct conversion, zero-IF, RF transceiver
is designed specifically for 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz 802.11g/b
WLAN applications. The MAX2830 completely integrates
all circuitry required to implement the RF transceiver
function, providing an RF power amplifier (PA), an Rx/Tx
and antenna diversity switch, RF-to-baseband receive
path, baseband-to-RF transmit path, voltage-controlled
oscillator (VCO), frequency synthesizer, crystal oscillator,
and baseband/control interface. The MAX2830 includes
a fast-settling sigma-delta RF synthesizer with smaller
than 20Hz frequency steps and a digitally tuned crystal
oscillator allowing use of a low-cost crystal. No I/Q cali-
bration is required; however, the device also integrates
on-chip DC-offset cancellation and I/Q errors and carrier
leakage-detection circuits for improved performance.
Only an RF bandpass filter (BPF), crystal, a pair of
baluns, and a small number of passive components are
needed to form a complete 802.11g/b WLAN RF front-
end solution.
The MAX2830 completely eliminates the need for an
external SAW filter by implementing on-chip monolithic fil-
ters for both the receiver and transmitter. The baseband
filters are optimized to meet the IEEE 802.11g standard
and proprietary turbo modes up to 40MHz channel band-
width. These devices are suitable for the full range of
802.11g OFDM data rates (6Mbps to 54Mbps) and
802.11b QPSK and CCK data rates (1Mbps to 11Mbps).
The ICs are available in a small, 48-pin TQFN package
measuring only 7mm x 7mm x 0.8mm.
Features
o
2.4GHz to 2.5GHz ISM Band Operation
o
IEEE 802.11g/b Compatible (54Mbps OFDM and
11Mbps CCK)
o
Complete RF Transceiver, PA, Rx/Tx and Antenna
Diversity Switch, and Crystal Oscillator
Best-in-Class Transceiver Performance
62mA Receiver Current
3.3dB Rx Noise Figure
-75dBm Rx Sensitivity (54Mbps OFDM)
No I/Q Calibration Required
0.1dB/0.35° Rx I/Q Gain/Phase Imbalance
33dB RF and 62dB Baseband Gain Control
Range
60dB Range Analog RSSI per RF Gain Setting
Fast Rx I/Q DC-Offset Settling
Programmable Baseband Lowpass Filter
20-Bit Sigma-Delta Fractional-N PLL with
< 20Hz Step Size
Digitally Tuned Crystal Oscillator
+17.1dBm Transmit Power (5.6% EVM with
54Mbps OFDM)
31dB Tx Gain Control Range
Integrated Power Detector
Fully Integrated RF Input and Output
Matching and DC Blocking
Serial or Parallel Gain-Control Interface
> 40dB Tx Sideband Suppression Without
Calibration
Rx/Tx I/Q Error Detection
o
Transceiver Operates from +2.7V to +3.6V
o
PA Operates from +2.7V to +4.2V
o
Low-Power Shutdown Mode
o
Small 48-Pin TQFN Package
(7mm x 7mm x 0.8mm)
MAX2830
Applications
Wi-Fi, PDA, VOIP, and Cellular Handsets
Wireless Speakers and Headphones
General 2.4GHz ISM Radios
Selector Guide
PART
MAX2830
MAX2831
MAX2832
INTEGRATED PA
Yes
Yes
No
INTEGRATED SWITCH
Yes
No
No
PART
MAX2830ETM+T
Ordering Information
TEMP RANGE
-40°C to +85°C
PIN-PACKAGE
48 TQFN-EP*
*EP
= Exposed paddle.
+Denotes
a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
T = Tape and reel.
Pin Configuration appears at end of data sheet.
________________________________________________________________
Maxim Integrated Products
1
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim Direct at 1-888-629-4642,
or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.
2.4GHz to 2.5GHz 802.11g/b RF Transceiver, PA,
and Rx/Tx/Antenna Diversity Switch
MAX2830
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
V
CCTXPA
, V
CCPA
, and ANT_ _ to GND ..................-0.3V to +4.5V
V
CCLNA
, V
CCTXMX
, V
CCPLL
, V
CCCP
, V
CCXTAL
, V
CCVCO
,
V
CCRXVGA
, V
CCRXFL
, and V
CCRXMX
_ to GND...-0.3V to +3.9V
B6, B7, B3, B2,
SHDN,
B5,
CS,
SCLK, DIN, B1, TUNE, B4,
ANTSEL, TXBBI_, TXBBQ_, RXHP, RXTX, RXBBI_, RXBBQ_,
RSSI, BYPASS, CPOUT, LD, CLOCKOUT, XTAL,
CTUNE to GND ....................-0.3V to (Operating V
CC
+ 0.3V)
RXBBI_, RXBBQ_, RSSI, BYPASS, CPOUT, LD, CLOCKOUT
Short-Circuit Duration .........................................................10s
RF Input Power ...............................................................+10dBm
Continuous Power Dissipation (T
A
= +70°C)
48-Pin TQFN (derates 27.8mW/°C above +70°C) .........2.22W
Operating Temperature Range ...........................-40°C to +85°C
Junction Temperature ......................................................+150°C
Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +160°C
Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) .................................+300°C
Soldering Temperature (reflow) .......................................+260°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.
CAUTION!
ESD SENSITIVE DEVICE
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(MAX2830 EV kit, V
CC_
= 2.7V to 3.6V, V
CCPA
= V
CCTXPA
= 2.7V to 4.2V, T
A
= -40°C to +85°C, Rx set to the maximum gain.
CS
=
high, RXHP = SCLK = DIN = ANTSEL = 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. 100mV
RMS
differential I and Q signals (54Mbps IEEE 802.11g OFDM)
applied to I/Q baseband inputs of transmitter in transmit mode, f
REF
= 40MHz, and registers set to recommended settings and corre-
sponding test mode, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at V
CC
= 2.8V, V
CCPA
= 3.3V, and T
A
= +25°C, LO frequency =
2.437GHz, unless otherwise noted. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from
EV kit PCB, balun, and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
PARAMETERS
Supply Voltage
V
CC_
V
CCPA
, V
CCTXPA
Shutdown mode,
B7: B1 = 0000000,
reference oscillator not
applied
Standby mode
Supply Current
Rx mode
Tx mode, T
A
= +25°C,
V
CC
= 2.8V, V
CCPA
=
3.3V (Note 2)
Rx calibration mode
Tx calibration mode
Rx I/Q Output Common-Mode
Voltage
Rx I/Q Output Common-Mode
Voltage Variation
Tx Baseband Input Common-
Mode Voltage Operating Range
Tx Baseband Input Bias Current
CONDITIONS
MIN
2.7
2.7
TYP
MAX
3.6
4.2
UNITS
V
T
A
= +25°C
20
µA
T
A
= +25°C
T
A
= -40°C to +85°C
T
A
= +25°C
T
A
= -40°C to +85°C
Transmit section
PA, P
OUT
= +17.1dBm
T
A
= +25°C
T
A
= +25°C
0.94
28
62
35
35
78
82
mA
82
212
101
78
1.2
-17
15
0.9
104
T
A
= +25°C at default common-mode setting
T
A
= -40°C (relative to T
A
= +25°C)
T
A
= +85°C (relative to T
A
= +25°C)
DC-coupled
Source current
1.37
V
mV
1.3
22
V
µA
2
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz to 2.5GHz 802.11g/b RF Transceiver, PA,
and Rx/Tx/Antenna Diversity Switch
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)
(MAX2830 EV kit, V
CC_
= 2.7V to 3.6V, V
CCPA
= V
CCTXPA
= 2.7V to 4.2V, T
A
= -40°C to +85°C, Rx set to the maximum gain.
CS
=
high, RXHP = SCLK = DIN = ANTSEL = 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. 100mV
RMS
differential I and Q signals (54Mbps IEEE 802.11g OFDM)
applied to I/Q baseband inputs of transmitter in transmit mode, f
REF
= 40MHz, and registers set to recommended settings and corre-
sponding test mode, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at V
CC
= 2.8V, V
CCPA
= 3.3V, and T
A
= +25°C, LO frequency =
2.437GHz, unless otherwise noted. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from
EV kit PCB, balun, and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
PARAMETERS
CONDITIONS
MIN
V
CC
-
0.4
0.4
-1
-1
V
CC
-
0.4
0.4
+1
+1
TYP
MAX
UNITS
LOGIC INPUTS:
SHDN,
RXTX, SCLK, DIN,
CS,
B7:B1, RXHP, ANTSEL
Digital Input-Voltage High, V
IH
Digital Input-Voltage Low, V
IL
Digital Input-Current High, I
IH
Digital Input-Current Low, I
IL
LOGIC OUTPUTS: LD, CLOCKOUT
Digital Output-Voltage High, V
OH
Digital Output-Voltage Low, V
OL
Sourcing 100µA
Sinking 100µA
V
V
V
V
µA
µA
MAX2830
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—Rx Mode
(MAX2830 EV kit, V
CC_
= 2.8V, V
CCPA
= V
CCTXPA
= 3.3V, T
A
=+25°C, f
RF
= 2.439GHz, f
LO
= 2.437GHz; receiver baseband I/Q out-
puts at 112 mV
RMS
(-19dBV), f
REF
= 40MHz,
SHDN
=
CS
= high, RXTX = 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, unless otherwise noted.
Unmodulated single-tone RF input signal is used with specifications that normally apply over the entire operating conditions, unless
otherwise indicated. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB,
balun, and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
RF Input Frequency Range
High RF gain
RF Input Return Loss (ANT1)
Mid RF gain
Low RF gain
High RF gain
RF Input Return Loss (ANT2)
Mid RF gain
Low RF gain
Maximum gain, B7:B1 =
1111111
Total Voltage Gain (ANT1)
Minimum gain, B7:B1 =
0000000
Maximum gain, B7:B1 =
1111111
Total Voltage Gain (ANT2)
Minimum gain, B7:B1 =
0000000
T
A
= +25°C
2
T
A
= +25°C
T
A
= -40°C to +85°C
T
A
= +25°C
T
A
= +25°C
86
83
2
96
dB
8
CONDITIONS
MIN
2.4
13
16
13
21
14
12
97
dB
dB
dB
TYP
MAX
2.5
UNITS
GHz
RECEIVER SECTION: LNA RF INPUT-TO-BASEBAND I/Q OUTPUTS
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3
2.4GHz to 2.5GHz 802.11g/b RF Transceiver, PA,
and Rx/Tx/Antenna Diversity Switch
MAX2830
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—Rx Mode (continued)
(MAX2830 EV kit, V
CC_
= 2.8V, V
CCPA
= V
CCTXPA
= 3.3V, T
A
=+25°C, f
RF
= 2.439GHz, f
LO
= 2.437GHz; receiver baseband I/Q out-
puts at 112 mV
RMS
(-19dBV), f
REF
= 40MHz,
SHDN
=
CS
= high, RXTX = 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, unless otherwise noted.
Unmodulated single-tone RF input signal is used with specifications that normally apply over the entire operating conditions, unless
otherwise indicated. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB,
balun, and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
From high-gain mode (B7:B6 = 11) to medium-gain
mode (B7:B6 = 10)
RF Gain Steps (Note 3)
From high-gain mode (B7:B6 = 11) to low-gain mode
(B7:B6 = 0X)
RF Gain-Change Settling Time
Gain change from high gain to medium gain, high gain to
low, or medium gain to low gain; gain settling to within
±2dB of steady state; RXHP = 1
From maximum baseband gain (B5:B1 = 11111) to
minimum baseband gain (B5:B1 = 00000)
Voltage gain = maximum with B7:B6 = 11
DSB Noise Figure (ANT1)
Voltage gain = 50dB with B7:B6 = 11
Voltage gain = 45dB with B7:B6 = 10
Voltage gain = 15dB with B7:B6 = 0X
Voltage gain = maximum with B7:B6 = 11
DSB Noise Figure (ANT2)
Voltage gain = 50dB with B7:B6 = 11
Voltage gain = 45dB with B7:B6 = 10
Voltage gain = 15dB with B7:B6 = 0X
B7:B6 = 11
-19dBV
RMS
baseband
output EVM degrades to
9%
B7:B6 = 11
Out-of-Band Input IP3 (Note 4)
I/Q Phase Error
I/Q Gain Imbalance
RX I/Q Output Load Impedance
(R || C)
Tx-to-Rx Conversion Gain for Rx
I/Q Calibration
Baseband VGA Settling Time
I/Q Output DC Step when RXHP
Transitions from 1 to 0 in
Presence of 802.11g Short
Sequence
B7:B6 = 10
B7:B6 = 0X
1
σ
variation (without calibration)
1
σ
variation (without calibration)
Minimum differential resistance
Maximum differential capacitance
For receiver gain, B7:B1 = 1101111 (Note 5)
Gain change from B5:B1 = 10111 to B5:B1 = 00111; gain
settling to within ±2dB of steady state
After switching RXHP to logic 0 from initial logic 1, during
ideal short sequence data at -55dBm input in AWGN
channel, for -19dBV output; normalized to RMS signal on
I and Q outputs; transition point varied from 0 to 0.8µs in
steps of 0.1µs
B7:B6 = 10
B7:B6 = 0X
54
-33.5
MIN
TYP
-17
dB
MAX
UNITS
0.2
µs
Baseband Gain Range
62
3.3
3.8
16.7
34.7
4.0
4.5
17.4
35.3
-41
-24
-6
2.5
-12
-4
24
±0.35
±0.1
10
10
0.5
0.1
68
dB
dB
dB
In-Band Compression Point
Based on EVM
In-Band Output P-1dB
dBm
V
P-P
dBm
Degrees
dB
kΩ
pF
dB
µs
Voltage gain = 90dB, with B7:B6 = 11
-5
dBc
4
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz to 2.5GHz 802.11g/b RF Transceiver, PA,
and Rx/Tx/Antenna Diversity Switch
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—Rx Mode (continued)
(MAX2830 EV kit, V
CC_
= 2.8V, V
CCPA
= V
CCTXPA
= 3.3V, T
A
=+25°C, f
RF
= 2.439GHz, f
LO
= 2.437GHz; receiver baseband I/Q out-
puts at 112 mV
RMS
(-19dBV), f
REF
= 40MHz,
SHDN
=
CS
= high, RXTX = 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, unless otherwise noted.
Unmodulated single-tone RF input signal is used with specifications that normally apply over the entire operating conditions, unless
otherwise indicated. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB,
balun, and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
I/Q Output DC Droop
I/Q Static DC Offset
Spurious Signal Emissions from
LNA input
CONDITIONS
After switching RXHP to 0, D13:D12, Register 7
(A3:A0 = 0111)
RXHP = 1, B7:B1 = 1101110, 1
σ
variation
RF = 1GHz to 26.5GHz
ANT1 to receiver (in ANT2 mode)
ANT to Receiver Isolation
ANT2 to receiver (in ANT1 mode)
RECEIVER BASEBAND FILTERS
Gain Ripple in Passband
Group-Delay Ripple in Passband
Baseband Filter Rejection
(Nominal Mode)
RSSI
RSSI Minimum Output Voltage
RSSI Maximum Output Voltage
RSSI Slope
RSSI Output Settling Time
To within 3dB of steady
state
+32dB signal step
-32dB signal step
R
LOAD
≥
10kΩ || 5pF
R
LOAD
≥
10kΩ || 5pF
0.4
2.4
30
200
600
V
V
mV/dB
ns
10kHz to 8.5MHz at baseband
10kHz to 8.5MHz at baseband
At 8.5MHz
At 15MHz
At 20MHz
At > 40MHz
±1.3
±45
3.2
27
50
80
dB
dB
P-P
ns
P-P
47
MIN
TYP
±1
±1
-51
20
dB
MAX
UNITS
V/s
mV
dBm
MAX2830
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5