MAX2406 Evaluation Kit ____________________Component List DESIGNATION QTY ♦ +2.7V to +5.5V Single-Supply Operation ♦ 50Ω SMA Inputs and Outputs on RF, IF, and LO Ports ♦ Allows Testing of Shutdown Mode ♦ Fully Assembled and Tested DESCRIPTION C1, C2 2 47pF ceramic capacitors C3, C7, C8, C13 4 220pF ceramic capacitors C4, C5, C11, C12 4 1000pF ceramic capacitors C6, C15 2 1pF ceramic capacitors C9 1 10µF tantalum capacitor AVX TAJC106K016 C10, C14 2 0.1µF ceramic capacitors IF, LNAIN, LO, LNAOUT, RXMXIN 5 SMA connectors (PC edge mount) JU1 1 3-pin header L1, L2, L6, L7 4 27nH inductors Coilcraft 1008CS-270XMBC L3 1 4:1 balun Toko 617DB-1010 type B4F L4 0 Not installed L5 1 4.7nH inductor Toko LL2012-F4N7S R1 1 1kΩ resistor R2, R3 2 0Ω resistors R4 0 Not installed U1 1 MAX2406EEP (20 QSOP) ______________Ordering Information PART TEMP. RANGE IC PACKAGE MAX2406EVKIT -40°C to +85°C 20 QSOP _________________________Quick Start ______________Component Suppliers SUPPLIER ____________________________Features PHONE/ FAX INTERNET The MAX2406 is fully assembled and factory tested. Follow these instructions for initial evaluation of the MAX2406. Test Equipment Required This section lists the test equipment recommended for verifying operation of the MAX2406. It is intended as a guide only; some substitutions may be possible. • Two RF signal generators capable of delivering at least 0dBm of output power at frequencies up to 2GHz (HP8648C or equivalent). One generator is required for the local oscillator (LO) source; the other is required for the mixer input. Only one generator is required to operate the LNA. • An RF spectrum analyzer that covers the MAX2406’s operating frequency range (HP8561E, for example). • A power supply that can provide up to 100mA at 2.7V to 5.5V. • An ammeter for measuring the supply current (optional). • Several 50Ω SMA cables. Connections and Setup Coilcraft (847) 639-6400/ (847) 639-1469 http://www.coilcraft.com AVX (803) 946-0690/ (803) 626-3123 http://www.avxcorp.com This section provides a step-by-step guide to getting the EV kit operational and testing both the LNA and the receive mixer. Do not turn on the DC power or RF signal generators until all connections have been made. ________________________________________________________________ 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. Evaluates: MAX2406 _______________General Description The MAX2406 evaluation kit (EV kit) simplifies testing of the MAX2406. This EV kit allows the evaluation of the low-noise amplifier (LNA) as well as the receive downconverter mixer. Evaluates: MAX2406 MAX2406 Evaluation Kit Low-Noise Amplifier 1) Set the RXEN jumper (JU1) on the EV kit to the “logic 1” position. This enables the MAX2406. 2) Connect a DC supply set to 3V (through an ammeter, if desired) to the VCC and GND terminals on the EV kit. Do not turn on the supply. This section describes the MAX2406 EV kit circuitry. For more detailed information about the operation of the device itself, please consult the MAX2406 data sheet. 3) Connect one RF signal generator to the LNAIN SMA connector. Do not turn on the generator’s output. Set the generator for an output frequency of 1.9GHz and a power level of -40dBm. The LNA circuitry consists of two DC-blocking capacitors: one at the input (C13) and one at the output (C8). A shunt capacitor (C15) provides a simple matching network to improve the input return loss. 4) Connect a spectrum analyzer to the LNAOUT SMA connector on the EV kit. Set the spectrum analyzer to a center frequency of 1.9GHz, a total span of 200MHz, and a reference level of 0dBm. 5) Turn on the DC supply; the supply current should read approximately 20mA (if using an ammeter). 6) Activate the RF generator’s output. A 1.9GHz signal shown on the spectrum analyzer’s display should indicate a typical gain of 16dB after accounting for cable losses. 7) If desired, the shutdown feature can be tested by moving the RXEN jumper (JU1) into the “logic 0” position. This disables the part and reduces the supply current to typically 0.1µA. Receive Downconverter Mixer 1) Remove the RF signal generator and spectrum analyzer from the LNAIN and LNAOUT connections, if necessary. The DC supply connections needed for testing the downconverter mixer are the same as in the LNA section. 2) Connect one RF signal generator (with the output disabled) to the LO SMA connector. Set the frequency to 1.5GHz and the output power to -10dBm. This is the LO signal. 3) Connect the other RF signal generator (with the output disabled) to the RXMXIN SMA connector. Set the frequency to 1.9GHz and the amplitude to -30dBm. 4) Connect the spectrum analyzer to the IF SMA connector. Set the spectrum analyzer to a 400MHz center frequency, a 200MHz total span, and a 0dBm reference level. 5) Turn on the LO signal generator and the RF signal generator. 6) The downconverted output signal at 400MHz is visible on the spectrum analyzer, indicating a mixer conversion gain of 8.4dB after accounting for cable and balun losses. The balun loss is typically 1dB at 400MHz. 2 _______________Detailed Description Low-Noise Amplifier Local Oscillator The MAX2406 EV kit’s LO input requires only a DC blocking capacitor (C3). No other circuitry is needed. For more information on the LO port, including the optional use of a differential LO source, consult the MAX2406 data sheet. Mixer Input The receiver mixer’s input (RXMXIN) requires a simple matching network. Capacitor C6 and inductor L5 are used to match the input pin to 50Ω, while C7 provides DC blocking. IF Output The MAX2406 has a differential IF output port (IF and IF) that can be used either in a differential or single-ended configuration. The EV kit uses a differential configuration. The balun (L3) converts the MAX2406’s differential output signal into a single-ended signal compatible with 50Ω test equipment. The balun is not required in a typical application. Inductors L1, L2, L6, and L7 provide DC bias and an impedance-matching network. Please note that the matching network is frequency selective and must be changed for operation at other IF frequencies. Consult the MAX2406 data sheet for a plot of IF output impedance versus frequency. Capacitors C4 and C5 provide DC blocking. The balun (L3) provides the differential to single-ended conversion with about 1dB of loss at 400MHz. The IF output signal is then connected to the IF SMA connector. Resistors R2 and R3 (0Ω) and inductor L4 (not installed) are provided as pads on the EV kit’s PC board layout for experimentation, if desired. ______________________________Layout A good PC board layout is an essential part of an RF circuit design. The EV kit’s PC board can serve as a guide for laying out a board using the MAX2406. Each VCC node on the PC board has its own decoupling capacitor. This minimizes supply coupling from one section of the MAX2406 to another. A star topology for the supply layout, in which each VCC node on the MAX2406 circuit has a separate connection to a central VCC node, can further minimize coupling between the LNA and mixer sections of the MAX2406. _______________________________________________________________________________________ GND VCC LO SMA J1 LOGIC 0 RXEN LOGIC 1 J6 J5 VCC LNAIN SMA JU1 J7 C9 10µF C14 0.1µF R1 1kΩ C13 220pF RXMXIN SMA VCC C2 47pF C10 0.1µF C3 220pF C1 47pF C15 1pF C7 220pF VCC VCC 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 C6 1pF 16 MAX2406 RXMXIN 10 11 12 15 17 18 IF IF LNAOUT GND GND GND GND GND GND GND VCC LO LO RXEN VCC GND GND LNAIN GND L5 4.7nH 13 14 19 20 L1 27nH R4 (OPEN) L2 27nH C8 220pF L6 27nH VCC L7 27nH VCC C5 1000pF L3 1 BALUN WITH 4:1 IMPEDANCE RATIO C11 1000pF 4 C12 1000pF LNAOUT SMA C4 1000pF J4 R2 0Ω L4 (OPEN) R3 0Ω J2 IF SMA Evaluates: MAX2406 J3 MAX2406 Evaluation Kit Figure 1. MAX2406 EV Kit Schematic _______________________________________________________________________________________ 3 Evaluates: MAX2406 MAX2406 Evaluation Kit 1.0" 1.0" Figure 2. MAX2406 EV Kit Layout—Top Silk Screen and Pad Placement 1.0" Figure 3. MAX2406 EV Kit Layout—Component Side 1.0" Figure 4. MAX2406 EV Kit Layout—Ground Plane (layer 2) Figure 5. MAX2406 EV Kit Layout—Bottom Side (solder side) (layer 4) Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. No circuit patent licenses are implied. Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time. 4 _____________________Maxim Integrated Products, 120 San Gabriel Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 408-737-7600 © 1997 Maxim Integrated Products Printed USA is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.