MAXIM MAX2442

19-1352; Rev 2; 12/00
KIT
ATION
EVALU
E
L
B
A
IL
AVA
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
Features
♦ Receive Mixer with 35dB Image Rejection
For complete transceiver devices, refer to the MAX2420/
MAX2421/MAX2422/MAX2460/MAX2463 and MAX2424/
MAX2426 data sheets.
___________________Pin Configuration
________________________Applications
Cordless Phones
Spread-Spectrum Communications
Wireless Telemetry
Two-Way Paging
♦ Adjustable-Gain LNA
♦ Up to +2dBm Combined Receiver Input IP3
♦ 4dB Combined Receiver Noise Figure
♦ Low Current Consumption:
23mA Receive
9.5mA Oscillator
♦ 0.5µA Shutdown Mode
♦ Operates from Single +2.7V to +4.8V Supply
_______________Ordering Information
PART
TEMP. RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX2440EAI
-40°C to +85°C
28 SSOP
MAX2441EAI
MAX2442EAI
-40°C to +85°C
-40°C to +85°C
28 SSOP
28 SSOP
Functional Diagram appears at end of data sheet.
TOP VIEW
VCC 1
28 GND
CAP1 2
27 GND
RXOUT 3
26 GND
GND 4
RXIN 5
Wireless Networks
VCC 6
GND 7
______________________Selector Guide
PART
IF FREQ
(MHz)
INJECTION
TYPE
LO FREQ
(MHz)
MAX2440
10.7
High side
fRF + 10.7
MAX2441
46
High side
MAX2442
70
High side
25 TANK
MAX2440
MAX2441
MAX2442
24 TANK
23 VCC
22 VCC
21 PREOUT
GND 8
20 PREGND
GND 9
LNAGAIN 10
19 MOD
VCC 11
18 DIV1
fRF + 46
GND 12
17 VCOON
fRF + 70
GND 13
16 RXON
GND 14
15 GND
SSOP
________________________________________________________________ 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
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
General Description
The MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442 highly integrated
front-end receiver ICs provide the lowest cost solution for
cordless phones and ISM-band radios operating in the
900MHz band. All devices incorporate receive imagereject mixers to reduce filter cost. They operate with a
+2.7V to +4.8V power supply, allowing direct connection
to a 3-cell battery stack.
The signal path incorporates an adjustable-gain LNA
and an image-reject downconverter with 35dB image
suppression. These features yield excellent combined
downconverter noise figure (4dB) and high linearity with
an input third-order intercept point (IP3) of up to +2dBm.
All devices include an on-chip local oscillator (LO),
requiring only an external varactor-tuned LC tank for
operation. The integrated divide-by-64/65 dual-modulus
prescaler can also be set to a direct mode, in which it
acts as an LO buffer amplifier. Three separate powerdown inputs can be used for system power management, including a 0.5µA shutdown mode. These parts
are compatible with commonly used modulation
schemes such as FSK, BPSK, and QPSK, as well as frequency hopping and direct sequence spread-spectrum
systems. All devices come in a 28-pin SSOP package.
Evaluation kits are available for the MAX2420/
MAX2421/MAX2422. The MAX2420/MAX2421/MAX2422
are transceivers whose receive sections and pinout are
identical to the MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442.
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
VCC to GND ...........................................................-0.3V to +5.5V
Voltage on LNAGAIN, RXON, VCOON,
DIV1, MOD .............................................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V)
RXIN Input Power..............................................................10dBm
TANK, TANK Input Power ...................................................2dBm
Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C)
SSOP (derate 9.50mW/°C above +70°C) ....................762mW
Operating Temperature Range
MAX244_EAI ...................................................-40°C to +85°C
Junction Temperature ......................................................+150°C
Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +165°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.
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(VCC = +2.7V to +4.8V, no RF signals applied, LNAGAIN = unconnected, VVCOON = 2.4V, VRXON = VMOD = VDIV1 = 0.45V, PREGND
= GND, TA = TMIN to TMAX. Typical values are at TA = +25°C, VCC = +3.3V, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)
CONDITIONS
PARAMETER
Supply-Voltage Range
MIN
TYP
2.7
MAX
UNITS
4.8
V
Oscillator Supply Current
PREGND = unconnected
9.5
14
mA
Prescaler Supply Current
(divide-by-64/65 mode)
(Note 2)
4.2
6
mA
Prescaler Supply Current
(buffer mode)
VDIV1 = 2.4V (Note 3)
5.4
8.5
mA
Receive Supply Current
VRXON = 2.4V, PREGND = unconnected (Note 4)
23
36
mA
Shutdown Supply Current
VCOON = RXON = MOD =
DIV1 = GND
Digital Input Voltage High
RXON, DIV1, VCOON, MOD
Digital Input Voltage Low
RXON, DIV1, VCOON, MOD
Digital Input Current
Voltage on any one digital input = VCC or GND
Note 1:
Note 2:
Note 3:
Note 4:
2
TA = +25°C
0.5
TA = TMIN to TMAX
10
2.4
µA
V
±1
0.45
V
±10
µA
≥25°C guaranteed by production test, <25°C guaranteed through correlation to worst-case temperature testing.
Calculated by measuring the combined oscillator and prescaler supply current and subtracting the oscillator supply current.
Calculated by measuring the combined oscillator and LO buffer supply current and subtracting the oscillator supply current.
Calculated by measuring the combined receive and oscillator supply current and subtracting the oscillator supply current.
With LNAGAIN = GND, the supply current drops by 4.5mA.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
(MAX242X/MAX246X EV kit, VCC = +3.3V; fLO = 925.7MHz (MAX2440), fLO = 961MHz (MAX2441), fLO = 985MHz (MAX2442),
fRXIN = 915MHz; PRXIN = -35dBm; VLNAGAIN = 2V; VVCOON = VRXON = 2.4V; RXON = MOD = DIV1 = PREGND = GND; TA = +25°C,
unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
1000
MHz
RECEIVER
Input Frequency Range
IF Frequency Range
(Notes 5, 6)
(Notes 5, 6)
800
MAX2440
8.5
10.7
12.5
MAX2441
36
46
55
MAX2442
55
70
85
Image Frequency Rejection
Conversion Power Gain
(Note 7)
Noise Figure
DIV1 = VCC
(Notes 5, 7)
Input Third-Order Intercept
(Notes 5, 8)
Input 1dB Compression
26
35
LNAGAIN = VCC,
TA = +25°C
MAX2440/MAX2441
20
22
24.5
MAX2442
19
21
23.5
LNAGAIN = VCC,
TA = TMIN to TMAX
(Note 5)
MAX2440/MAX2441
25
18
24
dB
MAX2442
12
LNAGAIN = GND
-16
LNAGAIN = VCC
4
VLNAGAIN = 1V
12
VLNAGAIN = 1V
dB
19.5
VLNAGAIN = 1V
LNAGAIN = VCC
MHz
-19
-17
-8
LNAGAIN = VCC
-26
VLNAGAIN = 1V
-18
5
dB
dBm
dBm
LO to RXIN Leakage
Receiver on or off
-60
dBm
Receiver Turn-On Time
(Note 9)
500
ns
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)
(MAX242X/MAX246X EV kit, VCC = +3.3V; fLO = 925.7MHz (MAX2440), fLO = 961MHz (MAX2441), fLO = 985MHz (MAX2442),
fRXIN = 915MHz; PRXIN = -35dBm; VLNAGAIN = 2V; VVCOON = VRXON = 2.4V; RXON = MOD = DIV1 = PREGND = GND; TA = +25°C,
unless otherwise noted.)
PARAMETER
CONDITIONS
MIN
TYP
MAX
UNITS
1100
MHz
OSCILLATOR AND PRESCALER
Oscillator Frequency Range
(Notes 5, 10)
690
Oscillator Phase Noise
10kHz offset (Note 11)
82
Standby to RX
8
Oscillator Pulling
Standby mode with PRXIN = -45dBm to
PRXIN = 0dBm (Note 12)
70
Prescaler Output Level
ZL = 100kΩ | | 10pF
500
Oscillator Buffer Output Level
DIV1 = 2.4V, ZL = 50Ω
(Note 5)
Required Modulus Setup Time
Divide-by-64/65 mode (Notes 5, 13)
TA = +25°C
-11
TA = TMIN to TMAX
-12
-8
10
dBc/Hz
kHz
mVp-p
dBm
ns
Note 5: Guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 6: Image rejection typically falls to 30dBc at the frequency extremes.
Note 7: Refer to the Typical Operating Characteristics for plots showing receiver gain versus LNAGAIN voltage, input IP3 versus
LNAGAIN voltage, and noise figure versus LNAGAIN voltage.
Note 8: Two tones at PRXIN = -45dBm each, f1 = 915.0MHz and f2 = 915.2MHz.
Note 9: Time delay from RXON = 0.45V to RXON = 2.4V transition to the time the output envelope reaches 90% of its final value.
Note 10: Refers to useable operating range. Tuning range of any given tank circuit design is typically much narrower (refer to Figure 1).
Note 11: Using tank components L3 = 5.0nH (Coilcraft A02T), C2 = C3 = C26 = 3.3pF, R6 = R7 = 10Ω.
Note 12: This approximates a typical application in which a transmitter is followed by an external PA and a T/R switch with finite
isolation.
Note 13: Relative to the rising edge of PREOUT.
4
_______________________________________________________________________________________
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
SHUTDOWN SUPPLY CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
3.5
VCC = 4.8V
VCC = 3.3V
32
VCC = 2.7V
30
VCC = 3.3V
2.0
VCC = 4.8V
1.5
28
0.5
24
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
MAX
GAIN
-5
AVOID
THIS
REGION
-20
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
0
100
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
LNAGAIN VOLTAGE (V)
RECEIVER INPUT IP3 vs. VLNAGAIN
RECEIVER NOISE FIGURE
vs. LNAGAIN
MAX2440
RECEIVER GAIN vs. TEMPERATURE
LNA
ADJUSTABLE MAX
PARTIALLY
GAIN
GAIN
BIASED
35
LNA
OFF
-10
LNA
ADJUSTABLE MAX
PARTIALLY
GAIN
GAIN
BIASED
25
20
15
AVOID
THIS
REGION
-15
5
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
0
2.0
0.5
VCC = 2.7V
24
VCC = 4.8V
22
VCC = 3.3V
20
18
DIV1 = VCC
0
-20
LNAGAIN = VCC
26
RECEIVER GAIN (dB)
NOISE FIGURE (dB)
30
AVOID
THIS
REGION
-5
40
MAX2440/1/2-04
LNA
OFF
MAX2440/1/2-05
TEMPERATURE (°C)
10
1.0
1.5
2.0
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
LNAGAIN VOLTAGE (V)
LNAGAIN VOLTAGE (V)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
RECEIVER NOISE FIGURE vs.
TEMPERATURE AND SUPPLY VOLTAGE
RECEIVER INPUT IP3
vs. TEMPERATURE
MAX2440
RXOUT 1dB COMPRESSION POINT
vs. TEMPERATURE
-8
VLNAGAIN = 1V
-10
VCC = 4.8V
IIP3 (dBm)
4.5
VCC = 3.3V
4.0
VCC = 2.7V
-12
-14
-16
VLNAGAIN = 2V
3.5
-18
3.0
-20
0
20
40
60
TEMPERATURE (°C)
80
100
-4
VCC = 4.8V
-5
VCC = 2.7V
-6
VCC = 3.3V
-7
-8
-9
-20
-40
MAX2440/1/2-9
5.0
-3
1dB COMPRESSION POINT (dBm)
LNAGAIN = VCC
DIV1 = VCC
MAX2440/1/2-08
-6
MAX2440/1/2-07
5.5
NOISE FIGURE (dB)
ADJUSTABLE
GAIN
0
TEMPERATURE (°C)
5
0
5
-15
VCC = 2.7V
0
-40
10
-10
1.0
PREGND = UNCONNECTED
INCLUDES OSCILLATOR
CURRENT
26
IIP3 (dBm)
2.5
15
MAX2440/1/2-06
34
3.0
ICC (µA)
36
LNA
PARTIALLY
BIASED
LNA
OFF
20
RECEIVER GAIN (dB)
38
VCOON = GND
RXON = GND
4.0
RECEIVER GAIN vs. LNAGAIN
25
MAX2440/1/2-02
40
ICC (mA)
4.5
MAX2440/1/2-01
42
MAX2440/1/2-03
RECEIVER SUPPLY CURRENT
vs. TEMPERATURE
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
TEMPERATURE (°C)
80
100
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
TEMPERATURE (°C)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
Typical Operating Characteristics
(MAX242X/MAX246X EV kit, VCC = +3.3V; fLO = 925.7MHz (MAX2440), fLO = 961MHz (MAX2441), fLO = 985MHz (MAX2442),
fRXIN = 915MHz; PRXIN = -35dBm; VLNAGAIN = 2V; VVCOON = 2.4V; RXON = VCC; MOD = DIV1 = PREGND = GND; TA = +25°C,
unless otherwise noted.)
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
(MAX242X/MAX246X EV kit, VCC = +3.3V; fLO = 925.7MHz (MAX2440), fLO = 961MHz (MAX2441), fLO = 985MHz (MAX2442),
fRXIN = 915MHz; PRXIN = -35dBm; VLNAGAIN = 2V; VVCOON = 2.4V; RXON = VCC; MOD = DIV1 = PREGND = GND; TA = +25°C,
unless otherwise noted.)
RECEIVER IMAGE REJECTION
vs. RF FREQUENCY
RECEIVER IMAGE REJECTION
vs. IF FREQUENCY
RXON = VCC
50
MAX2441
35
IMAGE REJECTION (dB)
40
IMAGE REJECTION (dB)
MAX2440/1/2-11
40
MAX2440/1/2-10
60
30
20
10
MAX2442
25
20
15
10
-10
5
-20
MAX2440
30
0
0
0
400
800
1200
1600
2000
1
10
RF FREQUENCY (MHz)
-100
-80
IMAGINARY
30
25
-60
REAL
20
-40
15
10
-20
IMAGINARY IMPEDANCE (Ω)
40
MAX2440/1/2-13
550
45
35
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
LOAD IS PLOTTED RESISTANCE
IN PARALLEL WITH A 10pF
OSCILLOSCOPE PROBE
(÷ 64/65 MODE)
100
50
5
0
-0
600
800
1000
1200
1000
PRESCALER OUTPUT LEVEL
vs. LOAD RESISTANCE
PRESCALER OUTPUT LEVEL (mVp-p)
MAX2440/1/2-12
50
100
IF FREQUENCY (MHz)
RXIN INPUT IMPEDANCE
vs. FREQUENCY
REAL IMPEDANCE (Ω)
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
1400
0
1
100
1k
10k
LOAD RESISTANCE (Ω)
FREQUENCY (MHz)
6
_______________________________________________________________________________________
100k
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
PIN
NAME
FUNCTION
1
VCC
2
CAP1
3
RXOUT
4, 9,
12–15
GND
Ground Connection
5
RXIN
Receiver RF Input, single-ended. The input match shown in Figure 1 maintains an input VSWR of better
than 2:1 from 902MHz to 928MHz.
6
VCC
Supply Voltage Input for Receive Low-Noise Amplifier. Bypass with a 47pF low-inductance capacitor to
GND (pin 7 recommended).
7
GND
Ground Connection for Receive Low-Noise Amplifier. Connect directly to ground plane using multiple vias.
8
GND
Ground Connection for Signal-Path Blocks, except LNA. Connect directly to ground plane.
10
LNAGAIN
Low-Noise Amplifier Gain-Control Input. Drive this pin high for maximum gain. When LNAGAIN is pulled
low, the LNA is capacitively bypassed and the supply current is reduced by 4.5mA. This pin can also be
driven with an analog voltage to adjust the LNA gain in intermediate states. Refer to the Receiver Gain
vs. LNAGAIN Voltage graph in the Typical Operating Characteristics, as well as Table 1.
11
VCC
Supply Voltage Input for Signal-Path Blocks, except LNA. Bypass with a 47pF low-inductance capacitor
and 0.01µF to GND (pin 8 recommended).
16
RXON
Driving RXON with a logic high enables the LNA, receive mixer, and IF output buffer. VCOON must also
be high.
17
VCOON
18
DIV1
Driving DIV1 with a logic high disables the divide-by-64/65 prescaler and connects the PREOUT pin
directly to an oscillator buffer amplifier, which outputs -8dBm into a 50Ω load. Tie DIV1 low for divide-by64/65 operation. Pull this pin low when in shutdown to minimize off current.
19
MOD
Modulus Control for the Divide-by-64/65 Prescaler: high = divide-by-64, low = divide-by-65. Note that
the DIV1 pin must be at logic low when using the prescaler mode.
20
PREGND
Ground connection for the Prescaler. Tie PREGND to ground for normal operation. Leave floating to
disable the prescaler and the output buffer. Tie MOD and DIV1 to ground and leave PREOUT floating
when disabling the prescaler.
21
PREOUT
Prescaler/Oscillator Buffer Output. In divide-by-64/65 mode (DIV1 = low), the output level is 500mVp-p
into a high-impedance load. In divide-by-1 mode (DIV1 = high), this output delivers -8dBm into a 50Ω
load. AC couple to this pin.
22
VCC
Supply-Voltage Input for Prescaler. Bypass with a 47pF low-inductance capacitor and 0.01µF to GND
(pin 20 recommended).
23
VCC
Supply-Voltage Input for VCO and Phase Shifters. Bypass with a 47pF low-inductance capacitor to GND
(pin 26 recommended).
24
TANK
Differential Oscillator Tank Port. See Applications Information for information on tank circuits or on using
an external oscillator.
25
TANK
Differential Oscillator Tank Port. See Applications Information for information on tank circuits or on using
an external oscillator.
Supply-Voltage Input for Master Bias Cell. Bypass with a 47pF low-inductance capacitor and 0.1µF to
GND (pin 28 recommended).
Receive Bias Compensation Pin. Bypass with a 47pF low-inductance capacitor and 0.01µF to GND.
Do not make any other connections to this pin.
Single-Ended, 330Ω IF Output. AC couple to this pin.
Driving VCOON with a logic high turns on the VCO, phase shifters, VCO buffers, and prescaler. The
prescaler can be selectively disabled by floating the PREGND pin.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
Pin Description
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
Pin Description (continued)
PIN
NAME
FUNCTION
26
GND
Ground Connection for VCO and Phase Shifters
27
GND
Ground (substrate)
28
GND
Ground Connection for Master Bias Cell
VCC
VCC
1
0.1µF
47pF
47pF
28
2
0.1µF
VCC
VCC
GND
PREGND
CAP1
VCC
GND
5
RXIN
47pF
12nH
9
6
MAX2440
MAX2441
MAX2442
RXOUT
7
47pF
8
14
4
10
47pF
3
VARACTOR:
ALPHA SMV1299-004
OR EQUIVALENT
GND
GND
LNAGAIN
3.0
15
1k
R7
C2
47k
24
C26
R6
TANK
1000pF
PREOUT
MOD
DIV1
VCOON
RXON
GND
21
19
18
17
16
15
C3
TO PLL
MOD
DIV1
VCOON
RXON
Figure 1. Typical Operating Circuit
8
4.0
100nH
TANK
GND
GND
3.3
VCC
VCC
GND
3.3
MAX2442
12
GND
VCC
6.8
RECEIVE IF OUTPUT (330Ω)
L3
13
LNAGAIN
26
27
25
11
MAX2440
MAX2441
C26 C2, C3 R6, R7
(Ω)
(pF) (pF)
10
1.8
3.3
15
3.6
4.0
L3
(nH)
PART
0.01µF
VCC
0.01µF
23
SEE APPLICATIONS INFORMATION SECTION
L3: COILCRAFT 0805HS-060TMBC
GND
47pF
VCO TANK COMPONENTS FOR
915MHz TYPICAL RF
47pF
47pF
8.2nH
0.01µF
20
VCC
GND
RECEIVE
RF INPUT
22
_______________________________________________________________________________________
1k
VCO
ADJUST
47pF
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
The following sections describe each of the blocks
shown in the Functional Diagram.
Receiver
The MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442’s receive path consists of a 900MHz low-noise amplifier, an image-reject
mixer, and an IF buffer amplifier.
The LNA’s gain and biasing are adjustable via the
LNAGAIN pin. Proper operation of this pin can provide
optimum performance over a wide range of signal levels. The LNA can be placed in four modes by applying
a DC voltage on the LNAGAIN pin. See Table 1, as well
as the relevant Typical Operating Characteristics plots.
At low LNAGAIN voltages, the LNA is shut off, and the
input signal capacitively couples directly into the mixer
to provide maximum linearity for large-signal operation
(receiver close to transmitter). As the LNAGAIN voltage
is raised, the LNA begins to turn on. Between 0.5V and
1V at LNAGAIN, the LNA is partially biased and
behaves like a Class C amplifier. Avoid this operating
mode for applications where linearity is a concern. As
the LNAGAIN voltage reaches 1V, the LNA is fully
biased into Class A mode, and the gain is monotonically adjustable at LNAGAIN voltages above 1V. See the
Receiver Gain, Receiver IP3, and Receiver Noise
Figure vs. LNAGAIN plots in the Typical Operating
Characteristics for more information.
The downconverter is implemented using an imagereject mixer consisting of an input buffer with two outputs, each of which is fed to a double-balanced mixer.
The local-oscillator (LO) port of each mixer is driven
from a quadrature LO. The LO is generated from an onchip oscillator and an external tank circuit. Its signal is
buffered and split into phase shifters, which provide
90° of phase shift across their outputs. This pair of LO
signals is fed to the mixers. The mixers’ outputs are
then passed through a second pair of phase shifters,
which provide a 90° phase shift across their outputs. The
Table 1. LNA Modes
LNAGAIN
VOLTAGE (V)
0 < V ≤ 0.5
MODE
LNA capacitively bypassed, minimum
gain, maximum IP3
0.5 < V < 1.0
LNA partially biased. Avoid this mode—
the LNA operates in a Class C manner
1.0 < V ≤ 1.5
LNA gain is monotonically adjustable
1.5 < V ≤ VCC
LNA at maximum gain (remains monotonic)
resulting mixer outputs are then summed together. The
final phase relationship is such that the desired signal is
reinforced and the image signal is canceled. The downconverter mixer output appears on the RXOUT pin, a
single-ended 330Ω output.
Phase Shifters
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442 devices use passive
networks to provide quadrature phase shifting for the
receive IF and LO signals. Because these networks are
frequency selective, proper part selection is important.
Image rejection degrades as the IF and RF move away
from the designed optimum frequencies. Refer to the
Selector Guide on the front page of this data sheet.
Local Oscillator (LO)
The on-chip LO is formed by an emitter-coupled differential pair. An external LC resonant tank sets the oscillation frequency. A varactor diode is typically used to
create a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). See the
Applications Information section and Figure 2 for an
example VCO tank circuit.
The LO may be overdriven in applications where an
external signal is available. The external LO signal
should be about 0dBm from 50Ω, and should be AC
coupled into either the TANK or TANK pin. Both TANK
and TANK require pull-up resistors to V CC. See the
Applications Information section and Figure 3 for
details.
The local oscillator resists LO pulling caused by changes
in load impedance that occur as the part is switched
from standby mode. The amount of LO pulling will be
affected if there is power at the RXIN port due to imperfect isolation in an external transmit/receive (T/R) switch.
Prescaler
The on-chip prescaler can be used in two different
modes: as a dual-modulus divide-by-64/65, or as oscillator buffer amplifier. The DIV1 pin controls this function. When DIV1 is low, the prescaler is in dual-modulus
divide-by-64/65 mode; when it is high, the prescaler is
disabled and the oscillator buffer amplifier is enabled.
The buffer typically outputs -8dBm into a 50Ω load. To
minimize shutdown supply current, pull the DIV1 pin
low when in shutdown mode.
In divide-by-64/65 mode, the division ratio is controlled
by the MOD pin. When MOD is high, the prescaler is in
divide-by-64 mode; when it is low, it divides the LO frequency by 65. The DIV1 pin must be at a logic low in
this mode.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
Detailed Description
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
To disable the prescaler entirely, leave PREGND and
PREOUT floating. Also tie the MOD and DIV1 pins to
GND. Disabling the prescaler does not affect operation
of the VCO stage.
Power Management
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442 supports three different
power-management features to conserve battery life.
The VCO section has its own control pin (VCOON),
which also serves as a master bias pin. When VCOON is
high, the LO, quadrature LO phase shifters, and
prescaler or LO buffer are all enabled. The VCO can be
powered up prior to receiving to allow it to stabilize. With
VCOON high, bringing RXON high enables the receive
path, which consists of the LNA, image-reject mixers,
and IF output buffer. When this pin is low, the receive
path is inactive.
To disable all chip functions and reduce the supply
current to typically less than 0.5µA, pull VCOON, DIV1,
MOD, and RXON low.
Applications Information
Oscillator Tank
The on-chip oscillator requires a parallel-resonant tank
circuit connected across TANK and TANK. Figure 2
shows an example of an oscillator tank circuit. Inductor
L4 provides DC bias to the tank ports. Inductor L3,
capacitor C26, and the series combination of capacitors
C2, C3, and both halves of the varactor diode capacitance set the resonant frequency, as follows:
1
fr =
2π L3 CEFF
( )(
CEFF =
)
1
 1
1
2 
 C2 + C 3 + C 

D1 
+ C26
where CD1 is the capacitance of one varactor diode.
Choose tank components according to your application
needs, such as phase-noise requirements, tuning
range, and VCO gain. High-Q inductors, such as aircore micro springs, yield low phase noise. Use a lowtolerance inductor (L3) for predictable oscillation
frequency. Resistors R6 and R7 can be chosen from 0
to 20Ω to reduce the Q of parasitic resonance due to
series package inductance (LT). Keep R6 and R7 as
small as possible to minimize phase noise, yet large
enough to ensure oscillator start-up in fundamental
mode. Oscillator start-up will be most critical with high
tuning bandwidth (low tank Q) and high temperature.
10
Capacitors C2 and C3 couple in the varactor. Light
coupling of the varactor is a way to reduce the effects
of high varactor tolerance and increase loaded Q. For a
wider tuning range; use larger values for C2 and C3 or
a varactor with a large capacitance ratio. Capacitor
C26 is used to trim the tank oscillator frequency. Larger
values for C26 will help negate the effect of stray PCB
capacitance and parasitic inductor capacitance (L3).
Choose a low tolerance capacitor for C26.
For applications that require a wide tuning range and
low phase noise, a series coupled resonant tank may
be required, as shown in Figure 4. This tank will use the
package inductance in series with inductors L1, L2,
and capacitance of varactor D1 to set the net equivalent inductance which resonates in parallel with the
internal oscillator capacitance. Inductors L1 and L2
may be implemented as microstrip inductors, saving
component cost. Bias is provided to the tank port
through chokes L3 and L5. R1 and R3 should be chosen large enough to de-Q the parasitic resonance due
to L3 and L5, but small enough to minimize the voltage
drop across them due to bias current. Values for R1
and R3 should be kept between 0Ω and 50Ω. Proper
high-frequency bypassing (C1) should be used for the
bias voltage to eliminate power-supply noise from
entering the tank.
VCC
MAX2440
MAX2441
MAX2442
L4
100nH
TANK
R5
1k
C2
R7
1/2 D1
R8
47k
LT
L3
C3
LT
TANK
VCO_CTRL
C26
1/2 D1
R6
C1
47pF
R4
1k
D1 = ALPHA SMV1299-004
SEE FIGURE 1 FOR R6, R7, C2, C3, C26, AND L3 COMPONENT VALUES.
Figure 2. Oscillator Tank Schematic, Using the On-Chip VCO
______________________________________________________________________________________
Oscillator-Tank PC Board Layout
VCC
MAX2440
MAX2441
MAX2442 TANK
CBLOCK
0.01µF
50Ω
EXT LO
VCC
50Ω
Using an External Oscillator
EXTERNAL LO LEVEL IS
0dBm FROM A 50Ω
SOURCE.
TANK
If an external 50Ω LO signal source is available, it can
be used as an input to the TANK or TANK pin in place
of the on-chip oscillator (Figure 3). The oscillator signal
is AC coupled into the TANK pin and should have a
level of about 0dBm from a 50Ω source. For proper
biasing of the oscillator input stage, TANK and TANK
must be pulled up to the VCC supply via 50Ω resistors.
If a differential LO source such as the MAX2620 is
available, AC couple the inverting output into TANK.
Figure 3. Using an External Local Oscillator
MAX2440
MAX2441
MAX2442
LT
TANK
The parasitic PC board capacitance, as well as PCB
trace inductance and package inductance, can affect
oscillation frequency, so be careful in laying out the PC
board for the oscillator tank. Keep the tank layout as
symmetrical, tightly packed, and close to the device as
possible to minimize LO feedthrough. When using a PC
board with a ground plane, a cut-out in the ground
plane (and any other planes) below the oscillator tank
will reduce parasitic capacitance.
L1
L3
R1
1/2 D1
L4
R2
Ci
VCC
VTUNE
C2
C1
1/2 D1
LT
L2
L5
R3
TANK
Figure 4. Series Coupled Resonant Tank for Wide Tuning Range and Low Phase Noise
Chip Information
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 2802
______________________________________________________________________________________
11
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
Functional Diagram
LNAGAIN
90°
Σ
RXIN
RXOUT
0°
DIV1
MOD
CAP1
RXON
0°
BIAS
PHASE
SHIFTER
MAX2440
MAX2441
MAX2442
90°
÷1/64/65
PREOUT
PREGND
TANK
TANK
VCOON
Package Information
SSOP.EPS
MAX2440/MAX2441/MAX2442
900MHz Image-Reject Receivers
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.
12 ____________________Maxim Integrated Products, 120 San Gabriel Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 408-737-7600
© 2000 Maxim Integrated Products
Printed USA
is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.