MAX7036 Evaluation Kit
Evaluates: MAX7036
General Description
The MAX7036 evaluation kit (EV kit) provides a proven
design to evaluate the MAX7036 ASK receiver in a TQFN
package with an exposed pad. The EV kit enables test-
ing of the device’s RF performance and requires no
additional support circuitry. The RF input uses an SMA
connector for convenient connection to test equipment.
The MAX7036 EV kit is available in two versions,
315MHz (MAX7036EVKIT315+) and 433.92MHz
(MAX7036EVKIT433+). The passive components are
optimized for these frequencies. The EV kit PCBs come
with a MAX7036GTP/V+ installed on both EV kit versions.
S
Lead(Pb)-Free and RoHS Compliant
S
Proven PCB Layout
S
Proven Components List
S
Available in 315MHz and 433.92MHz Versions
S
Fully Assembled and Tested
Features
Ordering Information
PART
MAX7036EVKIT-315+
MAX7036EVKIT-433+
TYPE
EV Kit
EV Kit
+Denotes
lead(Pb)-free and RoHS compliant.
Component List
DESIGNATION
C1, C9, C13,
C20
C2, C17
QTY
4
0
DESCRIPTION
0.1FF ±10%, 16V X7R ceramic
capacitors (0603)
Murata GRM188R71C104K
Not installed, capacitors (0603)
315MHz:
4.7pF ±5%, 50V C0G
ceramic capacitors (0603)
Murata GRM1885C1H4R7C
433.92MHz:
10pF ±5%, 50V C0G
ceramic capacitors (0603)
Murata GRM1885C1H100J
1FF ±10%, 6.3V X5R ceramic
capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM188R60J105K
180pF ±10%, 50V C0G ceramic
capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM1885C1H181J
22pF ±5%, 50V C0G ceramic
capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM1885C1H220J
100pF ±5%, 50V C0G ceramic
capacitors (0603)
Murata GRM1885C1H101J
0.01FF ±10%, 25V X7R ceramic
capacitors (0603)
Murata GRM188R71E103K
390pF ±5%, 50V C0G ceramic
capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM1885C1H391J
C21
1
DESIGNATION
QTY
DESCRIPTION
315MHz:
4.7pF ±5%, 50V C0G
ceramic capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM1885C1H4R7C
433.92MHz:
2.7pF ±0.1pF, 50V
C0G ceramic capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM1885C1H2R7B
10pF ±5%, 50V C0G ceramic
capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM1885C1H100J
10FF ±20%, 6.3V X5R ceramic
capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM188R60J106M
220pF ±10%, 50V X7R ceramic
capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM188R71H221K
2-pin headers
3-pin headers
315MHz:
100nH ±2% inductor (0603)
Murata LQW18ANR10G00
L1
1
433.92MHz:
47nH ±2% inductor
(0603)
Murata LQW18AN47NG00
315MHz:
27nH ±2% inductor (0603)
Murata LQW18AN27NG00
L2
1
433.92MHz:
15nH ±2% inductor
(0603)
Murata LQW18AN15NG00
C19
1
C3, C16
2
C22
1
C4
1
C23
JU1, JU3
JU2, JU4
1
2
2
C5
1
C6
1
C7, C8, C11,
C14, C15
5
C10, C12
2
C18
1
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim Direct at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim Integrated’s website at www.maximintegrated.com.
19-4533; Rev 1; 2/12
MAX7036 Evaluation Kit
Evaluates: MAX7036
Component List (continued)
DESIGNATION
P1
P2
R1
R2
TP1–TP4
U1
*EP
= Exposed pad.
QTY
1
1
1
0
4
1
DESCRIPTION
SMA end-launch jack receptacle
SMA female vertical-mount PCB
connector
22kI ±5% resistor (0603)
Not installed, resistor (0603)
Miniature red test points
ASK receiver (20 TQFN-EP*)
Maxim MAX7036GTP/V+
—
—
3
1
DESIGNATION
QTY
DESCRIPTION
315MHz:
9.8375MHz crystal
(AT-51CD2)
NDK EXS00A-AT00733
433.92MHz:
13.55375MHz crystal
(AT-51CD2)
NDK EXS00A-AT00732
Shunts
PCB: MAX7036 EVALUATION KIT+
Y1
1
Component Suppliers
SUPPLIER
Murata Electronics North America, Inc.
NDK America (Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.)
PHONE
770-436-1300
815-544-7900
WEBSITE
www.murata-northamerica.com
www.ndk.com/en
Note:
Indicate that you are using the MAX7036 when contacting these component suppliers.
Quick Start
• MAX7036 EV kit
4) Connect the oscilloscope to test point TP2 (DATAOUT).
5) Turn on the DC power supply. The supply current
should be between 5mA and 6mA.
6) Activate the RF generator’s output without modulation.
Set the RF generator to -100dBm. Enable AM square-
wave (or pulse) modulation on the RF generator and
set the scope’s coupling to DC. The scope now dis-
plays a 4kHz square wave at TP2.
Additional Evaluation
1) With the modulation still set to AM (or pulse), observe
the effect of reducing the RF generator’s amplitude at
TP2 (DATAOUT). The error rate in this sliced digital
signal increases with reduced RF signal level. The
sensitivity is usually defined as the point at which the
error in interpreting the data increases beyond a set
limit, as defined by a bit-error rate (BER) test.
Note:
The sensitivity values shown in the MAX7036 IC data
sheet assume that pulse modulation is being used.
Depending on the model of signal generator, use of
100% AM might not produce identical results to pulse
modulation.
2) Connect the oscilloscope to test point TP1, set the
scope’s coupling to AC, and adjust the voltage sen-
sitivity. The scope now displays a lowpass-filtered
square wave (filtered analog baseband data).
3) Set the scope’s coupling to DC, adjust the voltage
sensitivity, and turn off the modulation from the RF
generator. The scope should display a DC voltage
that varies from approximately 1.35V to 2.2V as the
2
Required Equipment
• 3.3V, 20mA DC power supply
• RF generator capable of delivering -120dBm to 0dBm
output power at the operating frequency, in addition
to amplitude modulation (AM) or pulse modulation
(e.g., Agilent E4420B or equivalent)
• Oscilloscope
• Optional ammeter for measuring supply current
The MAX7036 EV kit is fully assembled and tested. Follow
the steps below to verify board operation.
Caution: Do
not turn on the DC power supply or RF signal genera-
tor until all connections are completed.
1) Verify that the jumpers are in their default position, as
shown in Table 1.
2) Connect a 3.3V DC power supply (through an amme-
ter, if desired) to the VDD and GND pads on the EV
kit. Do not turn on the supply.
3) Connect the RF signal generator to the P2 SMA con-
nector. Do not turn on the generator output. Set the
generator for an output carrier frequency of 315MHz
(or 433.92MHz) at a power level of -100dBm. Set the
modulation of the generator to provide 100% AM (or
pulse modulation), with a 4kHz square wave.
Procedure
Maxim Integrated
MAX7036 Evaluation Kit
Evaluates: MAX7036
Table 1. Jumper Table (JU1–JU4)
JUMPER
SHUNT
POSITION
Open
Closed*
JU2
JU3
JU4
*Default
position.
1-2*
2-3
Open*
1-2
2-3*
DESCRIPTION
Disconnects AVDD and DVDD from VDD. Apply up to 5V on the VDD pad. An internal regulator
provides power to AVDD and DVDD.
Connects AVDD and DVDD to VDD. When connected, do not exceed 3.3V on the VDD pad.
Connects ENABLE to VDD (normal operation)
Connects ENABLE to GND (shutdown)
Always keep open. Provides a test point for the IF signal.
Connects PDOUT to DSN node for faster data detection (if populated)
Connects PDOUT to GND through R2 and C17 (if populated)
JU1
RF generator amplitude is changed from -115dBm to
0dBm.
Note:
At an input amplitude of approximately
-60dBm, this DC voltage drops suddenly to about
1.76V and then rises again with increasing input
amplitude. This is normal; the AGC is turning on the
LNA gain-reduction resistor.
4) Capacitors C5 and C18 are used to set the corner
frequency of the 2nd-order lowpass Sallen-Key data
filter. The current values were selected for bit rates up
to 4kbps Manchester. Adjusting these values accom-
modates different data rates (refer to the MAX7036 IC
data sheet for more details).
Table 2. Test Points
TEST POINT
TP1
TP2
TP3
TP4
DESCRIPTION
Noninverting op-amp input
DATAOUT output
PDOUT output
GND
Detailed Description of Hardware
The MAX7036 EV kit provides a proven layout for the
MAX7036. On-board test points are included to monitor
various signals (Table 2).
The MAX7036 can operate from 3.3V or 5V supplies. For
5V operation, remove the shunt from JU1 before connect-
ing the supply to VDD. AVDD and DVDD operate from an
internal linear regulator when VDD = 5V. For 3.3V opera-
tion, connect the shunt on JU1.
Jumper JU3 with one side grounded is provided to monitor
the IF signal. A shunt cannot be used at JU3.
For applications where an external frequency is desired
over the crystal frequency, it is possible to remove the
crystal and apply an external frequency through P1.
Capacitor C2 is necessary (use a 0.01µF capacitor).
Layout Issues
A properly designed PCB is essential for any RF/micro-
wave circuit. Keep high-frequency input and output lines
as short as possible to minimize losses and radiation. At
high frequencies, trace lengths that are on the order of
λ/10
or longer can act as antennas.
Both parasitic inductance and capacitance are influ-
ential on circuit layouts and are best avoided by using
short trace lengths. Generally, a 10-mil wide PCB trace,
0.0625in above a ground plane, with FR4 dielectric has
about 19nH/in of inductance and about 1pF/in of capaci-
tance. In the LNA/mixer circuit, where the inductor is on
the order of 20nH and a capacitor is on the order of 3pF,
the proximity of the circuit to the MAX7036 has a strong
influence on the effective component values.
To reduce the parasitic inductance, use a solid ground or
power plane below the signal traces. Also, use low-induc-
tance connections to ground on all GND pins, and place
decoupling capacitors close to all VDD connections.
Power Supply
IF Signal
External Frequency Input
Maxim Integrated
3
MAX7036 Evaluation Kit
Evaluates: MAX7036
Figure 1. MAX7036EVKIT315+ EV Kit Schematic
Maxim Integrated
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MAX7036 Evaluation Kit
Evaluates: MAX7036
Figure 2. MAX7036EVKIT433+ EV Kit Schematic
Maxim Integrated
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