MAXIM MAX2821ETM+TD

19-2493; Rev 2; 11/03
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
The MAX2820/MAX2821 single-chip zero-IF transceivers
are designed for the 802.11b (11Mbps) applications
operating in the 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz ISM band. The transceivers are nearly identical, except the MAX2821 provides a low-power shutdown mode and an analog
voltage reference output feature and the MAX2820 does
not. The transceivers include all the circuitry required to
implement an 802.11b RF-to-baseband transceiver solution, providing a fully integrated receive path, transmit
path, VCO, frequency synthesis, and baseband/control
interface. Only a PA, RF switch, RF BPF, and a small
number of passive components are needed to form the
complete radio front-end solution.
The ICs eliminate the need for external IF and baseband filters by utilizing a direct-conversion radio architecture and monolithic baseband filters for both
receiver and transmitter. They are specifically optimized for 802.11b (11Mbps CCK) applications. The
baseband filtering and RX and TX signal paths support
the CCK modulation scheme for BER = 10 -5 at the
required sensitivity levels.
The devices are suitable for the full range of 802.11b
data rates (1Mbps, 2Mbps, 5.5Mbps, and 11Mbps) and
also the higher-rate 22Mbps PBCCTM standard. The
MAX2820/MAX2821 are available in the very small 7mm
× 7mm 48-lead QFN package.
Applications
Features
♦ 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz ISM Band Operation
♦ 802.11b (11Mbps CCK and 22Mbps PBCC) PHY
Compatible
♦ Complete RF-to-Baseband Transceiver
Direct-Conversion Upconverters and
Downconverters
Monolithic Low-Phase-Noise VCO
Integrated Baseband Lowpass Filters
Integrated PLL with 3-Wire Serial Interface
Digital Bias Control for External PA
Transmit Power Control (Range > 25dB)
Receive Baseband AGC (Range > 65dB)
Complete Baseband Interface
Digital TX/RX Mode Control
Analog Receive Level Detection
♦ -97dBm RX Sensitivity at 1Mbps
♦ -87dBm RX Sensitivity at 11Mbps
♦ +2dBm Transmit Power (11Mbps CCK)
♦ Single +2.7V to +3.6V Supply
♦ Low-Current Shutdown Mode (MAX2821 only)
♦ Very Small 48-Pin QFN Package (s)
802.11b 11Mbps WLAN
Ordering Information
802.11b+ 22Mbps PBCC High-Data-Rate WLAN
802.11a + b Dual-Band WLAN
2.4GHz ISM Band Radios
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX2820EGM-TD
-40°C to +85°C
48 QFN
MAX2820ETM+TD
-40°C to +85°C
48 QFN Lead Free
MAX2821EGM-TD
-40°C to +85°C
48 QFN
MAX2821ETM+TD
-40°C to +85°C
48 QFN Lead Free
PBCC is a trademark of Texas Instruments, Inc.
Pin Configuration/Functional Diagram and Typical
Application Circuit appear at end of data sheet.
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.
1
MAX2820/MAX2821
General Description
MAX2820/MAX2821
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
VCC Pins to GND ...................................................-0.3V to +4.2V
RF Inputs: RX_RFP, RX_RFN to GND.........-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V)
RF Outputs: TX_RFP, TX_RFN to GND..................-0.3V to +4.2V
Baseband Inputs: TX_BBIP, TX_BBIN, TX_BBQP,
TX_BBQN to GND ...................................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V)
Baseband Outputs: RX_BBIP, RX_BBIN, RX_BBQP,
RX_BBQN to GND ...................................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V)
Analog Inputs: RX_AGC, TX_GC, TUNE, ROSCN,
ROSCP to GND .......................................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V)
Analog Outputs: PA_BIAS, CP_OUT, VREF
to GND....................................................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V)
Digital Inputs: RX_ON, TX_ON, SHDNB, CSB, SCLK,
DIN, RF_GAIN, RX_1K to GND...............-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V)
Bias Voltages: RBIAS, BYP ..................................+0.9V to +1.5V
Short-Circuit Duration Digital Outputs: DOUT, RX_DET .........10s
RF Input Power: RX_RFN, RX_RFP.................................+10dBm
Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C)
48-Lead QFN (derate 27.0mW/°C above +70°C) .....2162mW
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
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
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, RF_GAIN = VIH, 0V ≤ VTX_GC ≤ +2.0V, 0V ≤ VRX_AGC ≤ +2.0V, RBIAS = 12kΩ, no
input signals at RF and baseband inputs, all RF inputs and outputs terminated into 50Ω, receiver baseband outputs are open, transmitter baseband inputs biased at +1.2V, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted.
Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)
PARAMETERS
CONDITIONS
Supply Voltage
MIN
TYP
2.7
Shutdown-Mode Supply Current
(MAX2821 Only)
SHDNB = VIL, RX_ON = VIL,
TX_ON = VIL
Standby-Mode Supply Current
MAX
UNITS
3.6
V
µA
TA = -40°C to +85°C
2
50
SHDNB = VIH, RX_ON = VIL,
TX_ON = VIL
TA = +25°C
25
35
Receive-Mode Supply Current
SHDNB = VIH, RX_ON = VIH,
TX_ON = VIL
TA = +25°C
Transmit-Mode Supply Current
SHDNB = VIH, RX_ON = VIL,
TX_ON = VIH
TA = +25°C
TA = -40°C to +85°C
40
80
TA = -40°C to +85°C
100
110
70
TA = -40°C to +85°C
85
90
mA
mA
mA
LOGIC INPUTS: SHDNB, RX_ON, TX_ON, SCLK, DIN, CSB, RF_GAIN
Digital Input Voltage High (VIH)
VCC - 0.5
V
Digital Input Voltage Low (VIL)
0.5
V
Digital Input Current High (IIH)
-5
+5
µA
Digital Input Current Low (IIL)
-5
+5
µA
LOGIC OUTPUTS: DOUT, RX_DET
Digital Output Voltage High (VOH) Sourcing 100µA
Digital Output Voltage Low (VOL)
VCC - 0.5
V
Sinking 100µA
0.5
V
RX BASEBAND I/O
RX_AGC Input Resistance
0V ≤ VRX_AGC ≤ +2.0V
RX I/Q Common-Mode Voltage
50
kΩ
1.25
V
RX I/Q Output DC Offsets
15
mV
1.3
V
VOLTAGE REFERENCE
Reference Voltage Output
Output Impedance
2
TA = -40°C to +85°C, ILOAD = ±2mA
1.1
1.2
25
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Ω
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, RF_GAIN = VIH, 0V ≤ VTX_GC ≤ +2.0V, 0V ≤ VRX_AGC ≤ +2.0V, RBIAS = 12kΩ, no
input signals at RF and baseband inputs, all RF inputs and outputs terminated into 50Ω, receiver baseband outputs are open, transmitter baseband inputs biased at +1.2V, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted.
Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)
PARAMETERS
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
1.0
1.2
1.4
V
TX BASEBAND I/O
TX BB Input Common-Mode
Range
TX BBI and BBQ Input Bias
Current
TX BB Input Impedance
Differential resistance
-10
µA
100
kΩ
TX_GC Input Bias Current
0V ≤ VTX_GC ≤ +2.0V
10
µA
TX_GC Input Impedance
Resistance
250
kΩ
20
kΩ
REFERENCE OSCILLATOR INPUT
Reference Oscillator Input
Impedance
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—RECEIVE MODE
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, fRF and fLO = 2400MHz to 2499MHz, fOSC = 22MHz or 44MHz, receive baseband
outputs = 500mVP-P, SHDNB = RX_ON = VIH, TX_ON = VIL, CSB = VIH, SCLK = DIN = VIL, RF_GAIN = VIH, 0V ≤ VRX_AGC ≤ +2.0V,
RBIAS = 12kΩ, ICP = +2mA, BWPLL = 45kHz, differential RF input matched to 50Ω, registers set to default power-up settings, TA =
+25°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, fLO = 2437MHz, fOSC = 22MHz, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
RECEIVER CASCADE PERFORMANCE (RF INPUT TO BASEBAND OUTPUT)
RF Frequency Range
2400
2499
MHz
LO Frequency Range
2400
2499
MHz
RF_GAIN = VIH,
VRX_AGC = 0V
Voltage Gain (Note 2)
RF Gain Step
DSB Noise Figure (Notes 3, 11)
Adjacent Channel Rejection
Input Third-Order Intercept Point (Note 5)
Input Second-Order Intercept Point (Note 6)
TA = +25°C
97
TA = -40°C to +85°C
95
105
RF_GAIN = VIH,
VRX_AGC = +2.0V
TA = +25°C
33
RF_GAIN = VIL,
VRX_AGC = 0V
TA = +25°C
75
RF_GAIN = VIL,
VRX_AGC = +2.0V
TA = +25°C
2
dB
From RF_GAIN = VIH to RF_GAIN =VIL
30
RF_GAIN = VIH, RX gain ≥ 80dB
3.5
RF_GAIN = VIH, RX gain = 50dB
4.5
RF_GAIN = VIL, RX gain = 50dB
34
RX gain = 70dB (Note 4)
49
RF_GAIN = VIH, RX gain = 80dB
-14
RF_GAIN = VIL, RX gain = 50dB
18
RF_GAIN = VIH, RX gain = 80dB
22
RF_GAIN = VIL, RX gain = 50dB
60
dB
4.5
dB
dB
dBm
dBm
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3
MAX2820/MAX2821
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)
MAX2820/MAX2821
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—RECEIVE MODE (continued)
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, fRF and fLO = 2400MHz to 2499MHz, fOSC = 22MHz or 44MHz, receive baseband
outputs = 500mVP-P, SHDNB = RX_ON = VIH, TX_ON = VIL, CSB = VIH, SCLK = DIN = VIL, RF_GAIN = VIH, 0V ≤ VRX_AGC ≤ +2.0V,
RBIAS = 12kΩ, ICP = +2mA, BWPLL = 45kHz, differential RF input matched to 50Ω, registers set to default power-up settings, TA =
+25°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, fLO = 2437MHz, fOSC = 22MHz, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
LO Leakage
Input Return Loss
With external match
TYP
MAX
UNITS
-65
dBm
15
dB
MHz
RECEIVER BASEBAND
BASEBAND FILTER RESPONSE
-3dB Frequency
Attenuation Relative to Passband
Default bandwidth setting BW (2:0) = (010)
7
At 12.5MHz
40
At 16MHz
65
At 20MHz
70
At 25MHz
85
dB
BASEBAND OUTPUT CHARACTERISTICS
RX I/Q Gain Imbalance
-1
+1
dB
RX I/Q Phase Quadrature Imbalance
-5
+5
Degrees
RX I/Q Output 1dB Compression
Differential voltage into 5kΩ
RX I/Q Output THD
VOUT = 500mVP-P at 5.5MHz, ZL = 5kΩ||5pF
1
VP-P
-35
dBc
BASEBAND AGC AMPLIFIER
AGC Range
VRX_AGC = 0 to +2.0V
70
dB
AGC Slope
Peak gain slope
60
dB/V
AGC Response Time
20dB gain step, 80dB to 60dB,
settling to ±1dB
2
µs
BASEBAND RX PEAK LEVEL DETECTION
RX Detector Trip Point (at RX_RF)
CW signal
RF_GAIN = VIH,
RX_DET = VOL to VOH
-49
RF_GAIN = VIL,
RX_DET = VOH to VOL
-54
dBm
RX Detector Hysteresis
RX Detector Rise Time
With 3dB overdrive
5
dB
1
µs
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—TRANSMIT MODE
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, fRF and fLO = 2400MHz to 2499MHz, fOSC = 22MHz or 44MHz, transmit baseband
inputs = 400mVP-P, SHDNB = TX_ON = VIH, RX_ON = VIL, CSB = VIH, 0V ≤ VTX_GC ≤ +2.0V, RBIAS = 12kΩ, ICP = +2mA, BWPLL =
45kHz, differential RF output matched to 50Ω through a balun, baseband input biased at +1.2V, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, fLO = 2437MHz, fOSC = 22MHz, unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
TRANSMIT SIGNAL PATH: BASEBAND INPUT TO RF OUTPUT
RF Output Frequency Range
2400
2499
MHz
LO Output Frequency Range
2400
2499
MHz
4
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, fRF and fLO = 2400MHz to 2499MHz, fOSC = 22MHz or 44MHz, transmit baseband
inputs = 400mVP-P, SHDNB = TX_ON = VIH, RX_ON = VIL, CSB = VIH, 0V ≤ VTX_GC ≤ +2.0V, RBIAS = 12kΩ, ICP = +2mA, BWPLL =
45kHz, differential RF output matched to 50Ω through a balun, baseband input biased at +1.2V, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, fLO = 2437MHz, fOSC = 22MHz, unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
TX RF Output Power
TX RF ACPR (Note 8)
In-Band Spurious Signals Relative to
Modulated Carrier
TX RF Harmonics
CONDITIONS
VIN = 400mVP-P at
5.5MHz,
VTX_GC = 0V,
I/Q CW signal (Note 7)
MIN
TYP
TA = +25°C
-1
+3
TA = -40°C to
+85°C
-2
UNITS
dBm
-22MHz ≤ fOFFSET ≤ -11MHz,
11MHz ≤ fOFFSET ≤ 22MHz
-37
-33MHz ≤ fOFFSET < -22MHz,
22MHz < fOFFSET ≤ 33MHz
-59
fRF = 2400MHz to
2483MHz
MAX
dBc
Unwanted sideband
-40
LO signal
-30
Spurs > ±22MHz
dBc
-80
2 × fLO
-40
3 × fLO
-55
fRF < 2400MHz
-60
fRF = 2500MHz to 3350MHz
-43
dBm
TX RF Spurious Signal Emissions
(Outside 2400MHz to 2483.5MHz)
Nonharmonic Signals
fRF > 3350MHz
-45
TX RF Output Noise
fOFFSET ≥ 22MHz, 0V ≤ VTX_GC ≤ +2.0V
-135
dBm/Hz
TX RF Output Return Loss
With external match
15
dB
10
MHz
dBm
TX BASEBAND FILTER RESPONSE
-3dB Frequency
Attenuation Relative to Passband
At 22MHz
25
At 44MHz
50
0V ≤ VTX_GC ≤ +2.0V
30
dB
dB
TX GAIN-CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS
Gain-Control Range
Gain-Control Slope
Peak gain slope
40
dB/V
Gain-Control Response Time
VTX_GC = +2.0V to 0V step
0.3
µs
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—PA BIAS
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, SHDNB = VIH, TX_ON = VIH, CSB = VIH, PA_BIAS enabled, RBIAS = 12kΩ, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
Resolution
Full-Scale Output Current
LSB Size
TYP
MAX
4
Bits
300
µA
20
Output Voltage Compliance Range
(Note 11)
Settling Time
Relative to rising edge of CSB, zero to fullscale step 0000 → 1111, settle to 1/2 LSB,
2pF load
1.0
UNITS
1.2
1
µA
1.3
V
µs
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5
MAX2820/MAX2821
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—TRANSMIT MODE (continued)
MAX2820/MAX2821
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—SYNTHESIZER
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, fRF and fLO = 2400MHz to 2499MHz, fOSC = 22MHz or 44MHz, SHDNB = VIH,
CSB = VIH, RBIAS = 12kΩ, ICP = +2mA, BWPLL = 45kHz, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise
noted. Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, fLO = 2437MHz, fOSC = 22MHz, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 11)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
2499
MHz
FREQUENCY SYNTHESIZER
LO Frequency Range
Reference Frequency
2400
R(0) = 0
22
R(0) = 1
44
Channel Spacing
Charge-Pump Output Current
1
MHz
ICP = 0
±2
ICP = 1
±1
Charge-Pump Compliance Range
Reference Spur Level (Note 10)
0.4
-41
-22MHz ≤ fOFFSET < -11MHz,
11MHz < fOFFSET ≤ 22MHz
-75
fOFFSET < -22MHz, fOFFSET > 22MHz
-90
fOFFSET = 10kHz
-80
-87
Closed-Loop Integrated Phase Noise
Noise integrated from 100Hz to 10MHz,
measured at the TX_RF output
2.5
Reference Oscillator Input Level
AC-coupled sine wave input
200
mA
VCC - 0.4
-11MHz ≤ fOFFSET ≤ 11MHz
fOFFSET = 100kHz
Closed-Loop Phase Noise
MHz
300
V
dBc
dBc/Hz
°RMS
500
mVP-P
2.3
V
VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR
VCO Tuning Voltage Range
VCO Tuning Gain
0.4
fLO = 2400MHz
170
fLO = 2499MHz
130
MHz/V
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—SYSTEM TIMING
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, fRF and fLO = 2400MHz to 2499MHz, fOSC = 22MHz or 44MHz, SHDNB = VIH,
CSB = VIH, RBIAS = 12kΩ, ICP = +2mA, BWLOOP = 45kHz, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise
noted. Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, fLO = 2437MHz, fOSC = 22MHz, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 11)
PARAMETER
Channel-Switching Time
RX/TX Turnaround Time
6
CONDITIONS
fLO = 2400MHz ↔ 2499MHz,
fLO settles to ±10kHz (Note 9)
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
150
200
µs
RX to TX, fLO settles to within
±30kHz, relative to rising edge of TX_ON
5
TX to RX, fLO settles to within
±30kHz, relative to rising edge of RX_ON
10
_______________________________________________________________________________________
µs
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, fRF and fLO = 2400MHz to 2499MHz, fOSC = 22MHz or 44MHz, SHDNB = VIH,
CSB = VIH, RBIAS = 12kΩ, ICP = +2mA, BWLOOP = 45kHz, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise
noted. Typical values are at VCC = +2.7V, fLO = 2437MHz, fOSC = 22MHz, unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
Standby-to-Receive Mode
Standby to RX, fLO settles to within
±30kHz, relative to rising edge of RX_ON
5
µs
Standby-to-Transmit Mode
Standby to TX, fLO settles to within
±30kHz, relative to rising edge of TX_ON
10
µs
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—SERIAL INTERFACE TIMING
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit: VCC = +2.7V to +3.6V, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.
(Note 11)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
SERIAL INTERFACE TIMING (See Figure 1)
tCSO
SCLK rising edge to CSB falling edge wait time
5
ns
tCSS
Falling edge of CSB to rising edge of first SCLK time
5
ns
tDS
Data-to-serial clock setup time
5
ns
tDH
Data-to-clock hold time
10
ns
tCH
Serial clock pulse-width high
10
ns
tCL
Clock pulse-width low
10
ns
ns
tCSH
Last SCLK rising edge to rising edge of CSB
5
tCSW
CSB high pulse width
10
ns
tCS1
Time between the rising edge of CSB and the next rising edge of SCLK
5
ns
fCLK
Clock frequency
50
MHz
Parameters are production tested at +25°C only. Min/max limits over temperature are guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 2: Defined as the baseband differential RMS output voltage divided by the RMS input voltage (at the RF balun input).
Note 3: Noise-figure specification excludes the loss of the external balun. The external balun loss is typically ~0.5dB.
Note 4: CCK interferer at 25MHz offset. Desired signal equals -73dBm. Interferer amplitude increases until baseband output from
interferer is 10dB below desired signal. Adjacent channel rejection = Pinterferer - Pdesired.
Note 5: Measured at balun input. Two CW tones at -43dBm with 15MHz and 25MHz spacing from the MAX2820/MAX2821 channel
frequency. IP3 is computed from 5MHz IMD3 product measured at the RX I/Q output.
Note 6: Two CW interferers at -38dBm with 24.5MHz and 25.5MHz spacing from the MAX2820/MAX2821 channel frequency. IP2 is
computed from the 1MHz IMD2 product measured at the RX I/Q output.
Note 7: Output power measured after the matching and balun. TX gain is set to maximum.
Note 8: Adjacent and alternate channel power relative to the desired signal. TX gain is adjusted until the output power is -1dBm.
Power measured with 100kHz video BW and 100kHz resolution BW.
Note 9: Time required to reprogram the PLL, change the operating channel, and wait for the operating channel center frequency to
settle within ±10kHz of the nominal (final) channel frequency.
Note 10: Relative amplitude of reference spurious products appearing in the TX RF output spectrum relative to a CW tone at
0.5MHz offset from the LO.
Note 11: Min/max limits are guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 1:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7
MAX2820/MAX2821
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—SYSTEM TIMING (continued)
Typical Operating Characteristics
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit, VCC = +2.7V, fBB = 1MHz, fLO = 2450MHz, receive baseband outputs = 500mVP-P, transmit baseband inputs = 400mVP-P, ICP = +2mA, BWPLL = 45kHz, differential RF input/output matched to 50Ω through a balun, baseband
input biased at +1.2V, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)
70
TRANSMIT
RECEIVE, VRF_GAIN = VIL
50
40
30
30
RECEIVE, VRF_GAIN = VIL
20
STANDBY
10
0
-15
10
35
60
VRF_GAIN = VIL
40
VOUT = 500mVP-P
fBB = 1MHz
fLO = 2450MHz
3.0
3.6
3.3
0
0.5
1.0
2.0
1.5
TEMPERATURE (°C)
VCC (V)
VRX_AGC (V)
RECEIVER VOLTAGE GAIN
vs. RF FREQUENCY
RECEIVER NOISE FIGURE vs. GAIN
RECEIVER DETECTOR HYSTERESIS
vs. INPUT POWER
50
MAX2820 toc04
fBB = 1MHz
35
45
40
NOISE FIGURE (dB)
30
VRF_GAIN = VIH, VRX_AGC = 2.0V
20
15
HIGH
VRF_GAIN = VIL
35
LOGIC LEVEL
40
25
60
0
2.7
85
VRF_GAIN = VIH
MAX2820 toc05
-40
80
20
STANDBY
10
0
30
25
20
HIGH-GAIN MODE
LOW
HIGH
15
10
10
VRF_GAIN = VIL, VRX_AGC = 2.0V
5
5
LOW-GAIN MODE
VRF_GAIN = VIH
fBB = 1MHz
fLO = 2450MHz
LOW
0
2440
2460
2480
40
60
80
RX GAIN (dB)
RECEIVER FILTER RESPONSE
(1kHz TO 1MHz)
RECEIVER FILTER RESPONSE
(1MHz TO 100MHz)
MAX2820 toc07
0
-10
RX_1K = VIH
-30
-40
20
RF FREQUENCY (MHz)
10
-20
0
2500
RX_1K = VIL
-50
-60
-70
-80
10
0
f-3dB = 8.5MHz
-10
-20
100
10
100
FREQUENCY (kHz)
1000
-55
-50
-45
-40
-35
RECEIVER LEAKAGE SPECTRUM
f-3dB = 7.5MHz
-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
-10
VRF_GAIN = VIH
fLO = 2400MHz
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
-100
-120
-90
1
-60
PIN (dBm)
-80
-90
-65
MAX2820 toc09
2420
NORMALIZED RESPONSE (dB)
2400
RECEIVER LEAKAGE POWER (dBm)
0
MAX2820 toc08
RX VOLTAGE GAIN (dB)
TRANSMIT
50
40
20
8
60
100
MAX2820 toc06
60
ICC (mA)
ICC (mA)
70
MAX2820 toc03
80
RX VOLTAGE GAIN (dB)
80
RECEIVE, VRF_GAIN = VIH
90
120
MAX2820 toc02
RECEIVE, VRF_GAIN = VIH
90
100
MAX2820 toc01
100
RECEIVER VOLTAGE GAIN
vs. GAIN-CONTROL VOLTAGE
SUPPLY CURRENT vs. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
SUPPLY CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE
NORMALIZED RESPONSE (dB)
MAX2820/MAX2821
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
1
10
FREQUENCY (MHz)
100
0
0.8 1.6 2.4 3.2 4.0 4.8 5.6 6.4 7.2 8.0
FREQUENCY (GHz)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
TRANSMITTER OUTPUT POWER
vs. FREQUENCY
RECEIVER BASEBAND OUTPUT SPECTRUM
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
3.5
-40°C
3.0
2.5
2.0
+25°C
1.5
1.0
+85°C
0
-80
5
2400
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
2420
TRANSMITTER OUTPUT POWER
vs. SUPPLY VOLTAGE
3.0
2.5
2.0
+25°C
1.5
+85°C
1.0
-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
0
-90
3.0
3.3
-33
3.6
-22
-11
0
11
22
VCC (V)
FREQUENCY OFFSET FROM CARRIER (MHz)
TRANSMITTER OUTPUT SPECTRUM
TRANSMITTER GAIN
vs. GAIN-CONTROL VOLTAGE
CW SIGNAL
fBB = 3.3MHz
fLO = 2450MHz
5
-20
-30
-40
-50
-40°C
0
NORMALIZED GAIN (dB)
10
MAX2820toc14
2.7
TX OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
RBW = 100kHz
VIN = 400mVP-P
11Mbps CCK
POUT = -1dBm
-20
VIN = 400mVP-P
VTX_GC = 0V
11Mbps CCK
0.5
2500
-5
+25°C +85°C
-10
-15
-20
-25
-60
0dB = MAX POUT AT +25°C
VIN = 400mVP-P
11Mbps CCK
-30
-70
33
MAX2820 toc15
TX OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
-40°C
2480
TRANSMITTER OUTPUT SPECTRUM
TX OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
3.5
2460
-10
MAX2820 toc12
4.0
2440
FREQUENCY (MHz)
FREQUENCY (MHz)
MAX2820 toc13
0
-10
VIN = 400mVP-P
VTX_GC = 0V
11Mbps CCK
0.5
-70
0
MAX2820 toc11
-10
4.0
TX OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
VRF_GAIN = VIH
RX GAIN = 50dB
fBB = 5MHz
fLO = 2450MHz
MAX2820 toc10
BASEBAND OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
0
-35
-80
0 0.8 1.6 2.4 3.2 4.0 4.8 5.6 6.4 7.2 8.0
FREQUENCY (GHz)
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
VTX_GC (V)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9
MAX2820/MAX2821
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit, VCC = +2.7V, fBB = 1MHz, fLO = 2450MHz, receive baseband outputs = 500mVP-P, transmit baseband inputs = 400mVP-P, ICP = +2mA, BWPLL = 45kHz, differential RF input/output matched to 50Ω through a balun, baseband
input biased at +1.2V, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
(MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit, VCC = +2.7V, fBB = 1MHz, fLO = 2450MHz, receive baseband outputs = 500mVP-P, transmit baseband
inputs = 400mVP-P, ICP = +2mA, BWPLL = 45kHz, differential RF input/output matched to 50Ω through a balun, baseband input
biased at +1.2V, registers set to default power-up settings, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)
2.60
-30
-40
2.50
2.45
+25°C
2.40
+85°C
2.35
2.30
-50
-60
0
-130
-140
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
1
2.5
100
1000
VCO/PLL SETTING TIME
50
MAX2820 toc19
-80
-90
-100
-110
BWLOOP = 45kHz
fLO = 2499MHz TO 2400MHz
40
FREQUENCY ERROR (kHz)
fLO = 2450MHz
BWLOOP = 45kHz
ICP = 2mA
φINT = 2.1°RMS
10
OFFSET FREQUENCY (kHz)
VTUNE (V)
-50
PHASE NOISE (dBc/Hz)
-110
2.20
CLOSED-LOOP PHASE NOISE
vs. OFFSET FREQUENCY
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-120
-40
-50
-130
100
1k
10k
100k
OFFSET FREQUENCY (Hz)
10
-90
-100
-120
FREQUENCY (MHz)
-70
-70
-80
2.25
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
-60
-60
MAX2820 toc20
-20
-40°C
fLO = 2450MHz
MEASURED AT
TX OUTPUT
-50
PHASE NOISE (dBc/Hz)
2.55
LO FREQUENCY (GHz)
-10
-40
MAX2820 toc17
fLO = 2450MHz
0
2.65
MAX2820 toc16
10
OPEN-LOOP PHASE NOISE
vs. OFFSET FREQUENCY
LO FREQUENCY vs. TUNING VOLTAGE
MAX2820 toc18
TRANSMITTER BASEBAND FILTER RESPONSE
NORMALIZED RESPONSE (dB)
MAX2820/MAX2821
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
1M
0
40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400
TIME (µs)
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
VCC_LNA
RX_AGC
TX_ON
VCC_RMX
RX_ON
VCC_BUF
RX_DET
RX_BBIP
RX_BBIN
RX_BBQN
RX_BBQP
RX_1K
DOUT
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
1
36 SHDNB
PROGRAMMING AND
MODE CONTROL
RX LEVEL
DETECTOR
VREF
(MAX2821 ONLY)
2
35 VCC_RXF
RF_GAIN
3
34 VCC_LO
RX_RFN
4
33 VCC_VCO
RX_RFP
5
32 BYP
VCC_REF
6
31 TUNE
90
RBIAS
0
7
TX_RFP
8
TX_RFN
9
30 GND_VCO
MAX2820/
MAX2821
90
INTEGER-N
SYNTHESIZER
0
29 GND_CP
28 CP_OUT
PA_BIAS 10
27 VCC_CP
∑
VOS COMP
SERIAL
INTERFACE
VCC_DRVR 11
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
TX_BBIN
TX_BBIP
TX_BBQP
TX_BBQN
VCC_TXF
GND_DIG
VCC_DIG
N.C.
ROSCP
ROSCN
DIN
25 SCLK
VCC_TMX
TX_GC 12
26 CSB
______________________________________________________________________________________
11
MAX2820/MAX2821
Pin Configuration/Functional Diagram
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
MAX2820/MAX2821
Pin Description
PIN
NAME
1
VCC_LNA
2
3
12
DESCRIPTION
Supply Voltage for LNA. Bypass with a capacitor as close to the pin as possible. Do not share the
bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
N.C.
No Connection. Not internally connected. (MAX2820 only)
VREF
Voltage Reference Output. (MAX2821 only)
RF_GAIN
LNA Gain Select Logic Input. Logic high for LNA high-gain mode, logic low for LNA low-gain mode.
4
RX_RFN
Receiver LNA Negative Input. On-chip AC-coupling. Requires off-chip impedance match and
connection to 2:1 balun.
5
RX_RFP
Receiver LNA Positive Input. On-chip AC-coupling. Requires off-chip impedance match and
connection to 2:1 balun.
6
VCC_REF
7
RBIAS
8
TX_RFP
Transmit Driver Amplifier Positive Output. On-chip pullup choke to VCC. Requires off-chip impedance
match and connection to 4:1 balun.
9
TX_RFN
Transmit Driver Amplifier Negative Output. On-chip pullup choke to VCC. Requires off-chip
impedance match and connection to 4:1 balun.
10
PA_BIAS
Power-Amplifier Bias-Current Control Signal. Analog output. High-impedance, open-drain current
source. Connect directly to bias-current control input on external PA.
11
VCC_DRVR
Supply Voltage for Transmit Driver. Bypass with a capacitor as close to the pin as possible. Do not
share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
12
TX_GC
Transmit Gain-Control Input. Analog high-impedance input. Connect directly to baseband IC DAC
output. See the Typical Operating Characteristics for Transmitter Gain vs. Gain-Control Voltage.
13
VCC_TMX
Supply Voltage for Transmit Mixer and VGA. Bypass with a capacitor as close to the pin as possible.
Do not share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
14
TX_BBIN
Transmit Negative In-Phase Baseband Input. Analog high-impedance differential input. Connect
directly to baseband IC DAC voltage output. Requires a 1.2V common-mode voltage.
15
TX_BBIP
Transmit Positive In-Phase Baseband Input. Analog high-impedance differential input. Connect
directly to baseband IC DAC voltage output. Requires a 1.2V common-mode voltage.
16
TX_BBQP
Transmit Positive Quadrature Baseband Input. Analog high-impedance differential input. Connect
directly to baseband IC DAC voltage output. Requires a 1.2V common-mode voltage.
17
TX_BBQN
Transmit Negative Quadrature Baseband Input. Analog high-impedance differential input. Connect
directly to baseband IC DAC voltage output. Requires a 1.2V common-mode voltage.
18
VCC_TXF
Supply Voltage for Transmit Baseband Filter. Bypass with capacitor as close to the pin as possible.
Do not share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
19
GND_DIG
Digital Ground
Supply Voltage for Bias Circuitry and Autotuner. Bypass with a capacitor as close to the pin as
possible. Do not share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
Precision Bias Resistor Pin. Connect a 12kΩ precision resistor (≤ 2%) to GND.
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
PIN
NAME
DESCRIPTION
20
VCC_DIG
21
N.C.
22
ROSCP
Reference Oscillator Positive Input. Analog, high-impedance differential input. DC-coupled. Requires
external AC-coupling. Connect an external reference oscillator to this analog input.
23
ROSCN
Reference Oscillator Negative Input. Analog, high-impedance differential input. DC-coupled.
Requires external AC-coupling. Bypass this analog input to ground with capacitor for single-ended
operation.
24
DIN
3-Wire Serial Interface Data Input. Digital, high-impedance input. Connect directly to baseband IC
serial interface CMOS output. (SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE compatible)
25
SCLK
3-Wire Serial Interface Clock Input. Digital, high-impedance input. Connect this digital input directly to
baseband IC serial interface CMOS output. (SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE compatible).
26
CSB
3-Wire Serial Interface Enable Input. Digital, high-impedance input. Connect directly to baseband IC
serial interface CMOS output. (SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE compatible)
27
VCC_CP
Supply Voltage for PLL Charge Pump. Bypass with capacitor as close to the pin as possible. Do not
share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
28
CP_OUT
PLL Charge-Pump Output. Analog, high-impedance output. Current source. Connect directly to the
PLL loop filter input.
29
GND_CP
PLL Charge-Pump Ground. Connect to PC board ground plane.
30
GND_VCO
31
TUNE
32
BYP
33
VCC_VCO
Supply Voltage for VCO. Bypass with capacitor as close to the pin as possible. Do not share the
bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches. Important note: Operate off separate regulated
supply voltage.
34
VCC_LO
Supply Voltage for VCO, LO Buffers, and LO Quadrature Circuitry. Bypass with capacitor as close to
the pin as possible. Do not share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
35
VCC_RXF
Supply Voltage for Receiver Baseband Filter. Bypass with capacitor as close to the pin as possible.
Do not share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
36
SHDNB
Active Low Shutdown Input. Digital CMOS input. High impedance. Connect directly to baseband IC
mode control CMOS output. Logic low to disable all device functions. Logic high to enable normal
chip operation.
37
DOUT
Serial Interface Data Output. Digital CMOS output. Optional connection.
38
RX_1K
Receiver 1kHz Highpass Bandwidth Control. Digital CMOS input. Connect directly to baseband IC
CMOS output. Controls receiver baseband highpass -3dB corner frequency; logic low for 10kHz,
logic high for 1kHz. See the Applications Information section for proper use of this function.
Supply Voltage for Digital Circuitry. Bypass with capacitor as close to the pin as possible. Do not
share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
No Connection. Not internally connected.
VCO Ground. Connect to PC board ground plane.
VCO Frequency Tuning Input. Analog voltage input. High impedance. Connect directly to the PLL
loop filter output.
VCO Bias Bypass Pin. Bypass with a 2000pF capacitor to ground.
SPI and QSPI are trademarks of Motorola, Inc.
MICROWIRE is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corp.
______________________________________________________________________________________
13
MAX2820/MAX2821
Pin Description (continued)
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
MAX2820/MAX2821
Pin Description (continued)
14
PIN
NAME
DESCRIPTION
39
RX_BBQP
Receive Positive Quadrature Baseband Output. Analog low-impedance differential buffer output.
Connect output directly to baseband ADC input. Internally biased to 1.2V common-mode voltage and
can drive loads up to 5kΩ || 5pF.
40
RX_BBQN
Receive Negative Quadrature Baseband Output. Analog low-impedance differential buffer output.
Connect output directly to baseband ADC input. Internally biased to 1.2V common-mode voltage and
can drive loads up to 5kΩ || 5pF.
41
RX_BBIN
Receive Negative In-Phase Baseband Output. Analog low-impedance differential buffer output.
Connect output directly to baseband ADC input. Internally biased to 1.2V common-mode voltage and
can drive loads up to 5kΩ || 5pF.
42
RX_BBIP
Receive Positive In-Phase Baseband Output. Analog low-impedance differential buffer output.
Connect output directly to baseband ADC input. Internally biased to 1.2V and can drive loads up to
5kΩ || 5pF.
43
RX_DET
Receive Level Detection Output. Digital CMOS output. Connect output directly to baseband IC input.
Used to indicate RF input level. Logic high for input levels above -49dBm (typ). Logic low for levels
below -54dBm (typ).
44
VCC_BUF
Supply Voltage for Receiver Baseband Buffer. Bypass with capacitor as close to the pin as possible.
Do not share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
45
RX_ON
Receiver-On Control Input. Digital CMOS input. Connect to baseband IC mode control CMOS output.
46
VCC_RMX
47
TX_ON
48
RX_AGC
Exposed
Paddle
GND
Supply Voltage for Receiver Downconverter. Bypass with capacitor as close to the pin as possible.
Do not share the bypass capacitor ground vias with other branches.
Transmitter-On Control Input. Digital CMOS input. Connect directly to baseband IC mode control
CMOS output.
Receive AGC Control. Analog high-impedance input. Connect directly to baseband IC DAC voltage
output. See the Typical Operating Characteristics for Gain vs. VRX_AGC.
DC and AC Ground Return for IC. Connect to PC board ground plane using multiple vias.
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
MAX2820/MAX2821
CSB
tCSW
tCSO
tCSH
tCSS
SCLK
tDS
tDH
tCH
tCS1
tCL
DIN
BIT 1
BIT 2
BIT 6
BIT 7
BIT 8
BIT 14
BIT 15
BIT 16
tDV
tTR
tDO
DOUT
BIT 1
BIT 2
BIT 6
BIT 7
BIT 8
BIT 14
BIT 15
BIT 16
Figure 1. MAX2820/MAX2821 Serial Interface Timing Diagram
Table 1. Operating Mode Truth Table
OPERATING MODE
MODE CONTROL INPUTS
CIRCUIT BLOCK STATES
SHDNB
TX_ON
RX_ON
RX_PATH
TX_PATH
PLL/VCO/LO GEN.
Shutdown
0
X
X
OFF
OFF
OFF
Standby
1
0
0
OFF
OFF
ON
Receive
1
0
1
ON
OFF
ON
Transmit
1
1
0
OFF
ON
ON
Operating Modes
The MAX2820/MAX2821 have four primary modes of
operation: shutdown, standby, receive active, and
transmit active. The modes are controlled by the digital
inputs SHDNB, TX_ON, and RX_ON. Table 1 shows the
operating mode vs. the digital mode control input.
Shutdown Mode
Shutdown mode is achieved by driving SHDNB low. In
shutdown mode, all circuit blocks are powered down,
except for the serial interface circuitry. While the device
is in shutdown, the serial interface registers can still be
loaded by applying VCC to the digital supply voltage
(VCC_DIG). All previously programmed register values
are preserved during the shutdown mode, as long as
VCC_DIG is applied.
Standby Mode
Standby mode is achieved by driving SHDNB high,
RX_ON, and TX_ON low. In standby mode, the PLL,
VCO, LO generator, LO buffer, LO quadrature, and filter autotuner are powered on by default. The standby
mode is intended to provide time for the slower-settling
circuitry (PLL and autotuner) to turn on and settle to the
correct frequency before making RX or TX active. The
3-wire serial interface is active and can load register
values at any time. Refer to serial interface specification
for details.
Receive Mode
Receive mode is enabled by driving the digital inputs
SHDNB high, RX_ON high, and TX_ON low. In receive
mode, all receive circuit blocks are powered on and all
VCO, PLL, and autotuner circuits are powered on. None of
the transmit path blocks are active in this mode. Although
the receiver blocks turn on quickly, the DC offset nulling
requires ~10µs to settle. The receiver signal path is ready
~10µs after a low-to-high transition on RX_ON.
Transmit Mode
Transmit mode is achieved by driving the digital inputs
SHDNB high, RX_ON low, and TX_ON high. In transmit
mode, all transmit circuit blocks are powered on and all
VCO, PLL, and autotuner circuits are powered on.
None of the receive path blocks is active in this mode.
Although the transmitter blocks turn on quickly, the
baseband DC offset calibration requires ~2.2µs to
complete. In addition, the TX driver amplifier is ramped
from the low-gain state (minimum RF output) to highgain state (peak RF output) over the next 1µs to 2µs.
The transmit signal path is ready ~4µs after a low-tohigh transition on TX_ON.
______________________________________________________________________________________
15
MAX2820/MAX2821
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
Table 2. Programming Register Definition Summary (Address and Data)
4 ADDRESS BITS
REGISTER
NAME
ENABLE
12 DATA BITS
A3
A2
A1
A0
D11
D10
D9
D8
D7
D6
D5
D4
D3
D2
D1
D0
MSB
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
LSB
0
0
0
1
E11
E10
E9
E8
E7
E6
E5
E4
E3
E2
E1
E0
SYNTH
0
0
1
0
X
X
X
X
PD
ICP
R5
R4
R3
R2
R1
R0
CHANNEL
0
0
1
1
X
X
X
X
X
CF6
CF5
CF4
CF3
CF2
CF1
CF0
RECEIVE
0
1
0
0
2C2
2C1
2C0
1C2
1C1
1C0
DL1
DL0
SF
BW2
BW1
BW0
TRANSMIT
0
1
0
1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
PA3
PA2
PA1
PA0
X = Don’t care.
Programmable Registers
The MAX2820/MAX2821 contain programmable registers to control various modes of operation for the major
circuit blocks. The registers can be programmed
through the 3-wire SPI/QSPI/MICROWIRE-compatible
serial port. The MAX2820/MAX2821 include five programmable registers:
1) Block-enable register
2) Synthesizer register
3) Channel frequency register
4) Receiver settings register
5) Transmitter settings register
Each register consists of 16 bits. The four most significant bits (MSBs) are the register’s address. The twelve
least significant bits (LSBs) are used for register data.
Table 2 summarizes the register configuration. A
detailed description of each register is provided in
Tables 3–6.
Data is shifted in the MSB first. The data sent to the
MAX2820/MAX2821, in 16-bit words, is framed by CSB.
When CSB is low, the clock is active and data is shifted
with the rising edge of the clock. When CSB transitions
to high, the shift register is latched into the register
selected by the contents of the address bits. Only the
last 16 bits shifted into the MAX2820/MAX2821 are
retained in the shift register. No check is made on the
number of clock pulses. Figure 1 documents the serial
interface timing for the MAX2820/MAX2821.
Power-Up Default States
The MAX2820/MAX2821 provide power-up loading of
default states for each of the registers. The states are
loaded on a VCC_DIG supply voltage transition from 0V
to V CC. The default values are retained until reprogrammed through the serial interface or the power supply voltage is taken to 0V. The default state of each
16
register is described in Table 3. Note: Putting the IC in
shutdown mode does not change the contents of the
programming registers.
Block-Enable Register
The block-enable register permits individual control of the
enable state for each major circuit block in the
MAX2820/MAX2821. The actual enable condition of the
circuit block is a logical function of the block-enable bit
setting and other control input states. Table 4 documents
the logical definition of state for each major circuit block.
Synthesizer Register
The synthesizer register (SYNTH) controls the reference
frequency divider and charge-pump current of the PLL.
See Table 5 for a description of the bit settings.
Channel Frequency Register
The channel frequency register (CHANNEL) sets the
RF carrier frequency for the MAX2820/MAX2821. The
channel is programmed as a number from 0 to 99. The
actual frequency is 2400 + channel in MHz. The default
setting is 37 for 2437MHz. See Table 6 for a description
of the bit settings.
Receiver Settings Register
The receive settings register (RECEIVE) controls the
receive filter -3dB corner frequency, RX level detector
midpoint, and VGA DC offset nulling parameters. The
defaults are intended to provide proper operation.
However, the filter frequency and detector can be modified if desired. Do not reprogram VGA DC offset nulling
parameters. These settings were optimized during development. See Table 7 for a description of the bit settings.
Transmitter Settings Register
The transmitter settings register (TRANSMIT) controls
the 4-bit PA bias DAC. The 4 bits correspond to a PA
bias current between 0 and full scale (~300µA). See
Table 8 for the bit settings.
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
MAX2820/MAX2821
Table 3. Register Power-Up Default States
REGISTER
ADDRESS
DEFAULT
ENABLE
0001
000000011110
Block-Enable Control Settings (E)
FUNCTION
SYNTH
0010
000001000000
Synthesizer Settings:
• Reference frequency (R)
• Charge-pump current (ICP)
• PLL phase detector (PD)
CHANNEL
0011
000000100101
Channel frequency settings (CF)
RECEIVE
0100
111111010010
Receiver Settings:
• VGA DC offset nulling parameter 1 (1C)
• VGA DC offset nulling parameter 2 (2C)
• -3dB lowpass filter bandwidth (BW)
• Detector midpoint level (DL)
• Special function bit (SF)
TRANSMIT
0101
000000000000
Transmit Settings:
• PA bias (PA)
Table 4. Block-Enable Register (ENABLE)
ADDRESS
DATA BIT CONTENT DEFAULT
DESCRIPTION AND LOGICAL DEFINITION
D11
E(11)
0
Reserved
D10
E(10)
0
PA Bias-Control Enable (PAB_EN)
• PAB_EN = SHDNB • (E(10) + TX_ON)
D9
E(9)
0
Transmit Baseband Filters Enable (TXFLT_EN)
• TXFLT_EN = SHDNB • (E(9) + TX_ON)
D8
E(8)
0
TX Upconverter + VGA + Driver Amp Enable (TXUVD_EN)
• TXUVD_EN = SHDNB • (E(8) + TX_ON)
D7
E(7)
0
Receive Detector Enable (DET_EN)
• DET_EN = SHDNB • (E(7) + RX_ON)
D6
E(6)
0
RX Downconverter + Filters + AGC Amps Enable (RXDFA_EN)
• RXDFA_EN = SHDNB • (E(6) + RX_ON)
D5
E(5)
0
Receive LNA Enable (RXLNA_EN)
• RXLNA_EN = SHDNB • (E(5) + RX_ON )
D4
E(4)
1
Autotuner Enable (AT_EN)
• AT_EN = SHDNB • (E(4) + RX_ON + TX_ON)
D3
E(3)
1
PLL Charge-Pump Enable (CP_EN)
• CP_EN = SHDNB • E(3)
D2
E(2)
1
PLL Enable (PLL_EN)
• PLL_EN = SHDNB • E(2)
D1
E(1)
1
VCO Enable (VCO_EN)
• VCO_EN = SHDNB • E(1)
D0
E(0)
0
Reserved
0001
______________________________________________________________________________________
17
MAX2820/MAX2821
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
Table 5. Synthesizer Register (SYNTH)
ADDRESS
0010
DATA BIT
CONTENT
DEFAULT
D11:D8
X
0000
DESCRIPTION
D7
PD
0
Phase-Detector Polarity Select
• 0 = No phase inversion
• 1 = Not permitted
D6
ICP
1
Charge-Pump Current Select
• 0 = ±1mA charge-pump current
• 1 = ±2mA charge-pump current
D5:D0
R(5:0)
000000
Reserved
Reference Frequency Divider
• 000000 = 22MHz
• 000001 = 44MHz
Table 6. Channel Frequency Block Register (CHANNEL)
ADDRESS
0011
DATA BIT
CONTENT
DEFAULT
D11:D7
X
00000
D6:D0
CF(6:0)
Receive Path
LNA
The MAX2820/MAX2821 RX_RF inputs are highimpedance RF differential inputs AC-coupled on-chip
to the LNA. The LNA inputs require external impedance
matching and differential to single-ended conversion.
The balanced to single-ended conversion and interface
to 50Ω is achieved through the use of an off-chip 2:1
balun transformer, such as the small surface-mount
baluns offered by Murata and Toko. In the case of the
2:1 balun, the RX RF input must be impedancematched to a differential/balanced impedance of 100Ω.
A simple LC network is sufficient to impedance-match
the LNA to the balun. The Typical Application Circuit
shows the balun, inductors, and capacitors that constitute the matching network. Refer to the MAX2820/
MAX2821 EV kit schematic for component values of the
matching network.
The line lengths and parasitics have a noticeable impact
on the matching element values in the board-level circuit.
Some empirical adjustment of LC component values is
likely. Balanced line layout on the differential input traces
is essential to maintaining good IP2 performance and RF
common-mode noise rejection.
18
Reserved
0100101
Applications Information
DESCRIPTION
Channel Frequency Select: fLO = (2400 + CF(6:0))MHz
• 0000000 = 2400MHz
• 0000001 = 2401MHz
• …………
• 1100010 = 2498MHz
• 1100011 = 2499MHz
The MAX2820/MAX2821 have two LNA gain modes that
are digitally controlled by the logic signal applied to
RF_GAIN. RF_GAIN high enables the high-gain mode,
and RF_GAIN low enables the low-gain mode. The LNA
gain step is nominally 30dB. In most applications,
RF_GAIN is connected directly to a CMOS output of the
baseband IC, and the baseband IC controls the state of
the LNA gain based on the detected signal amplitude.
Receiver Baseband Lowpass Filtering
The MAX2820/MAX2821 on-chip receive lowpass filters
provide the steep filtering necessary to attenuate the
out-of-band (> 11MHz) interfering signals to sufficiently
low levels to preserve receiver sensitivity. The filter frequency response is precisely controlled on-chip and
does not require user adjustment. However, a provision
is made to permit the -3dB corner frequency and entire
response to be slightly shifted up or down in frequency.
This is intended to offer some flexibility in trading off
adjacent channel rejection vs. passband distortion. The
filter -3dB frequency is programmed through the serial
interface. The specific bit setting vs. -3dB frequency is
shown in Table 7. The typical receive baseband filter
gain vs. frequency profile is shown in the Typical
Operating Characteristics.
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
MAX2820/MAX2821
Table 7. Receive Settings Register (RECEIVE)
ADDRESS
0100
DATA BIT
CONTENT
DEFAULT
D11:D9
2C(2:0)
111
VGA DC Offset Nulling Parameter 2
DESCRIPTION
D8:D6
1C(2:0)
111
VGA DC Offset Nulling Parameter 1
D5:D4
DL(1:0)
01
RX Level Detector Midpoint Select
• 11 = 01 = 50.2mVP
• 10 = 70.9mVP
• 00 = 35.5mVP
D3
SF(0)
0
Special Function Select (not presently used)
• 0 = OFF
• 1 = ON
D2:D0
BW(2:0)
Receive Filter -3dB Frequency Select (frequencies are
approximate)
• 000 = 8.5MHz
• 001 = 8.0MHz
• 010 = 7.5MHz
• 011 = 7.0MHz
• 100 = 6.5MHz
• 101 = 6.0MHz
010
Table 8. Transmit Settings Register (TRANSMIT)
ADDRESS
0101
DATA BIT
CONTENT
DEFAULT
D11:D4
X
X
D3:D0
PA(3:0)
0000
Receive Gain Control and DC Offset Nulling
The MAX2820/MAX2821 receive path gain is varied
through an external voltage applied to the pin RX_AGC.
Maximum gain is at VRX_AGC = 0V and minimum gain is
at VRX_AGC = 2V. The RX_AGC input is a high-impedance analog input designed for direct connection to the
RX_AGC DAC output of the baseband IC. The gaincontrol range, which is continuously variable, is typically 70dB. The gain-control characteristic is shown in the
Typical Operating Characteristics section graph
Receiver Voltage Gain vs. Gain-Control Voltage.
Some local noise filtering through a simple RC network
at the input is permissible. However, the time constant
of this network should be kept sufficiently low in order
not to limit the desired response time of the RX gaincontrol function.
Receiver Baseband Amplifier Outputs
The MAX2820/MAX2821 receiver baseband outputs
(RX_BBIP, RX_BBIN, RX_BBQP, and RX_BBQN) are
differential low-impedance buffer outputs. The outputs
DESCRIPTION
Reserved
PA Bias Select:
• 1111 = Highest PA bias
• …………
• 0000 = Lowest PA bias
are designed to be directly connected (DC-coupled) to
the in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) ADC inputs
of the baseband IC. The RX I/Q outputs are internally
biased to +1.2V common-mode voltage. The outputs
are capable of driving loads up to 5kΩ || 5pF with the
full bandwidth baseband signals at a differential amplitude of 500mVP-P.
Proper board layout is essential to maintain good balance between I/Q traces. This provides good quadrature phase accuracy.
Receiver Power Detector
The MAX2820/MAX2821 receiver level detector is a
digital output from an internal threshold detector that is
used to determine when to change the LNA gain state.
In most applications, it is connected directly to a comparator input of the baseband IC. The threshold level
can be programmed through the MAX2820/MAX2821
control software.
______________________________________________________________________________________
19
MAX2820/MAX2821
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
Transmit Path
Transmitter Baseband Inputs
The MAX2820/MAX2821 transmitter baseband inputs
(TX_BBIP, TX_BBIN, TX_BBQP, and TX_BBQN) are
high-impedance differential analog inputs. The inputs
are designed to be directly connected (DC-coupled) to
the in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) DAC outputs
of the baseband IC. The inputs must be externally
biased to +1.2V common-mode voltage. Typically, the
DAC outputs are current outputs with external resistor
loads to ground. I and Q are nominally driven by a
400mVP-P differential baseband signal.
Proper board layout is essential to maintain good balance between I/Q traces. This provides good quadrature phase accuracy by maintaining equal parasitic
capacitance on the lines. In addition, it is important not
to expose the TX I/Q circuit board traces going from the
digital baseband IC to the MAX2820/MAX2821. The
lines should be shielded on an inner layer to prevent
coupling of RF to these TX I/Q inputs and possible
envelope demodulation of the RF signal.
Transmit Path Baseband Lowpass Filtering
The MAX2820/MAX2821 on-chip transmit lowpass filters provide the filtering necessary to attenuate the
unwanted higher-frequency spurious signal content
that arises from the DAC clock feedthrough and sampling images. In addition, the filter provides additional
attenuation of the second sidelobe of signal spectrum.
The filter frequency response is set on-chip. No user
adjustment or programming is required. The Typical
Gain vs. Frequency profile is shown in the Typical
Operating Characteristics.
Transmitter DC Offset Calibration
In a zero-IF system, in order to achieve low LO leakage
at the RF output, the DC offset of the TX baseband signal path must be reduced to as near zero as possible.
Given that the amplifier stages, baseband filters, and
TX DAC possesses some finite DC offset that is too
large for the required LO leakage specification, it is
necessary to “null” the DC offset. The MAX2820/
MAX2821 accomplish this through an on-chip calibration sequence. During this sequence, the net TX baseband signal path offsets are sampled and cancelled in
the baseband amplifiers. This calibration occurs in the
first ~2.2µs after TX_ON is taken high. During this time,
it is essential that the TX DAC output is in the 0V differential state. The calibration corrects for any DAC offset.
However, if the DAC is set to a value other than the 0V
state, then an offset is erroneously sampled by the
MAX2820/MAX2821 TX offset calibration. The TX DAC
output must be put into the 0V differential state at or
before the time TX_ON is taken high.
20
Power Amplifier Driver Output
The MAX2820/MAX2821 TX_RF outputs are highimpedance RF differential outputs directly connected to
the driver amplifier. The outputs are essentially opencollector outputs with an on-chip inductor choke connected to VCC_DRVR. The power amplifier driver
outputs require external impedance matching and differential to single-ended conversion. The balanced to
single-ended conversion and interface to 50Ω is
achieved through the use of an off-chip 4:1 balun transformer, such as one from Murata or Toko. In this case,
the TX RF output must be impedance-matched to a differential/balanced impedance of 200Ω. The Typical
Application Circuit shows the balun, inductors, and
capacitors that constitute the matching network of the
power amplifier driver outputs. The output match
should be adjusted until the return loss at the balun output is > 10dB.
Transmit Gain Control
The transmit gain-control input provides a direct analog
control over the transmit path gain. The transmit gain of
the MAX2820/MAX2821 is controlled by an external
voltage at pin TX_GC. The typical gain-control characteristic is provided in the Typical Operating
Characteristics graph Transmitter Gain Control vs.
Gain-Control Voltage. The input is a high-impedance
analog input designed to directly connect to to the DAC
output of the baseband IC. Some local noise filtering
through a simple RC network at the input is permissible. However, the time constant of this network should
be kept sufficiently low so the desired response time of
the TX gain-control function is not limited.
During the TX turn-on sequence, internally the gain is
set at the minimum while the TX baseband offset calibration is taking place. The RF output is effectively
“blanked” for the first 2.2µs after TX_ON is taken high.
After 2.2µs, the “blanking” is released, and the gaincontrol amplifier ramps to the gain set by the external
voltage applied to the TX_GC input.
PA Bias DAC Output
The MAX2820/MAX2821 provide a programmable analog current source output for use in biasing the RF
power amplifier, such as the MAX2242. The output is
essentially an open-drain output of a current source
DAC. The output is designed to directly connect to the
bias current pin on the power amplifier. The value of the
current is determined by the 4 bits programmed into the
internal register on the MAX2820/MAX2821. This programmability permits optimizing of the power amplifier
idle current based on the output power level of the PA.
Care must be taken in the layout of this line. Avoid running the line in parallel with the RF line. RF might couple
______________________________________________________________________________________
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
Synthesizer
Channel Frequency and Reference Frequency
The synthesizer/PLL channel frequency and reference
settings establish the divider/counter settings in the integer-N synthesizer of the MAX2820/MAX2821. Both the
channel frequency and reference oscillator frequency
are programmable through the serial interface. The
channel frequency is programmed as a channel number 0 to 99 to set the carrier frequency to 2400MHz to
2499MHz (LO frequency = channel + 2400). The reference frequency is programmable to 22MHz or 44MHz.
These settings are intended to cover only the required
802.11b channel spacing and the two possible crystal
oscillator options used in the radios.
Reference Oscillator Input
The reference oscillator inputs ROSCP and ROSCN are
high-impedance analog inputs. They are designed to
be connected to the reference oscillator output through
a coupling capacitor. The input amplitude can range
from 200mVP-P to 500mVP-P; therefore, in the case of a
reference oscillator with a CMOS output, the signal
must be attenuated before being applied to the ROSC
inputs. The signal can be attenuated with a resistor- or
capacitor-divider network.
Loop Filter
The PLL uses a classical charge pump into an external
loop filter (C-RC) in which the filter output connects to
the voltage tuning input of the VCO. This simple thirdorder lowpass loop filter closes the loop around the
synthesizer. The Typical Application Circuit shows the
loop filter elements around the MAX2820/MAX2821.The
capacitor and resistor values are set to provide the
loop bandwidth required to achieve the desired lock
time while also maintaining loop stability. Refer to the
MAX2820/MAX2821 EV kit schematic for component
values. A 45kHz loop bandwidth is recommended to
ensure that the loop settles quickly enough to achieve
5µs TX turnaround time and 10µs RX turnaround time.
This is the loop filter on the EV kit. Narrowing the loop
bandwidth increases the settling time and results in
unacceptable TX-RX turnaround time performance.
Chip Information
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 13,607
Reference Voltage Output
A voltage reference output is provided from pin 2,
VREF, for use with certain baseband ICs. The nominal
output voltage is 1.2V. The reference voltage is firstorder compensated over temperature to provide a reasonably low drift output, 1.1V to 1.3V over temperature,
under load conditions. The output stage is designed to
drive 2mA loads with up to 20pF of load capacitance.
The VREF output is designed to directly connect to the
baseband reference input.
______________________________________________________________________________________
21
MAX2820/MAX2821
onto the line, given the high impedance of the output.
This might result in rectified RF, altering the value of the
bias current and causing erratic PA operation.
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
MAX2820/MAX2821
Typical Application Circuit
DIGITAL MODE CONTROL SIGNALS
FROM/TO BASEBAND IC
RX ANALOG OUTPUT SIGNAL
DIGITAL MODE CONTROL
SIGNALS TO/FROM BASEBAND IC
TO BASEBAND IC
48
VREF
(MAX2821 ONLY)
RX GAIN-CONTROL SIGNALS
TO/FROM BASEBAND IC
RF_GAIN
RX_RFN
RX RF INPUT FROM
SWITCH AND BPF
RX_RFP
VCC_REF
1
45
44
TX_RFP
TX RF OUTPUT TO
SWITCH AND BPF
TX_RFN
TO PA BIAS INPUT
PA_BIAS
42
41
40
39
DOUT
37
RX LEVEL
DETECTOR
35
3
34
4
33
5
32
6
31
7
30
MAX2820/
MAX2821
8
90
INTEGER-N
SYNTHESIZER
0
29
9
28
10
27
∑
VOS COMP
SERIAL
INTERFACE
12
26
25
22
ROSCP
21
N.C.
20
VCC_DIG
19
GND_DIG
18
VCC_TXF
17
TX_BBQN
16
TX_BBQP
15
TX_BBIP
14
TX_BBIN
VCC_TMX
13
SHDNB
VCC_RXF
VCC_LO
VCC_VCO
BYP
TUNE
0
11
DAC OUTPUT
FROM BASEBAND IC
38
2
VCC_DRVR
TX_GC
RX_1K
RX_BBQP
RX_BBQN
RX_BBIN
RX_BBIP
43
36
PROGRAMMING AND
MODE CONTROL
90
RBIAS
RX_DET
VCC_BUF
RX_ON
VCC_RMX
46
23
GND_VCO
GND_CP
CP_OUT
LOOP FILTER
VCC_CP
CSB
SCLK
24
DIN
OPTIONAL CONNECTION
TO BASEBAND
47
ROSCN
VCC_LNA
TX_ON
RX_AGC
DAC OUTPUT
FROM BASEBAND IC
REFERENCE
OSCILLATOR INPUT
TX ANALOG INPUT SIGNAL
FROM BASEBAND IC
22
______________________________________________________________________________________
SERIAL INTERFACE
TO BASEBAND IC
2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceivers
32, 44, 48L QFN.EPS
PACKAGE OUTLINE
32,44,48L QFN, 7x7x0.90 MM
21-0092
H
1
2
U
PACKAGE OUTLINE,
32,44,48L QFN, 7x7x0.90 MM
21-0092
H
2
2
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.
Maxim Integrated Products, 120 San Gabriel Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 408-737-7600 ____________________ 23
© 2003 Maxim Integrated Products
Printed USA
is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.
MAX2820/MAX2821
Package Information
(The package drawing(s) in this data sheet may not reflect the most current specifications. For the latest package outline information,
go to www.maxim-ic.com/packages.)