19-1324; Rev 1; 2/98 MAX2411A Evaluation Kit ____________________________Features ♦ +2.7V to +5.5V Single-Supply Operation _ ___________________Component List _______________Ordering Information DESIGNATION QTY C1, C2 ♦ 50Ω SMA Inputs and Outputs on RF and IF Ports ♦ Allows Testing of Shutdown Mode ♦ Fully Assembled and Tested DESCRIPTION 2 47pF ceramic capacitors, 0603 size C3 1 10µF tantalum capacitor AVX TAJC106K016 C4, C5, C6, C8 4 0.1µF ceramic capacitors, 0805 size PART TEMP. RANGE PIN-PACKAGE MAX2411AEVKIT -40°C to +85°C 28 QSOP ______________ Component Suppliers SUPPLIER PHONE INTERNET AVX (803) 946-0690/ (803) 626-3123 FAX http://www.avxcorp.com 1000pF ceramic capacitors, 0805 size Coilcraft (847) 639-6400/ (847) 639-1469 FAX http://www.coilcraft.com 1 1pF ceramic capacitor, 0603 size 0 Not installed Taiyo Yuden USA (408) 573-4150/ (408) 573-4159 FAX http://www.t-yuden.com 1 18nH inductor, 0805 size Coilcraft 0805CS-180XMBC L2 1 5.6nH inductor, 0805 size Taiyo Yuden HK16085N6S L3, L4, L11, L12 4 27nH inductors, 0805 size Coilcraft 0805CS-270XMBC L5 1 4:1 balun Toko 617DB-1010 Type B4F L8, L13 2 3.9nH inductors, 0805 size Taiyo Yuden HK16083N9S R1, R2, R3 3 1kΩ resistors, 0805 size R4, R6 0 Not installed R5, R7 2 0Ω resistors RXMXIN 1 SMA connector (PC mount) LNAIN, LNAOUT, IF, LO, PADRIN, PADROUT, TXMXOUT 7 SMA connectors (edge mount) RXEN, TXEN, VGC 3 3-pin headers • An optional ammeter for measuring the supply current. VCC, GND 2 2-pin headers • Several 50Ω SMA cables. U1 1 MAX2411AEEI, 28-pin QSOP C7, C10, C11, C16, C17, C19, C20 7 220pF ceramic capacitors, 0805 size C9, C12–C15, C18 6 C21 C22 L1 _________________________Quick Start The MAX2411A EV kit is fully assembled and factory tested. Follow these instructions for initial evaluation of the MAX2411A. Test Equipment Required This section lists the recommended test equipment to verify the operation of the MAX2411A. It is intended as a guide only, and some substitutions may be possible. • Two RF signal generators capable of delivering 0dBm of output power at frequencies up to 2GHz (HP8648C, or equivalent). • An RF spectrum analyzer that covers the operating frequency range of the MAX2411A as well as a few harmonics (HP8561E, for example). • A power supply that can provide up to 100mA at +2.7V to +5.5V. • A voltage source (0 to 5V) for adjusting the gain-control (GC) voltage on the PA driver. ________________________________________________________________ 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: MAX2411A ________________General Description The MAX2411A evaluation kit (EV kit) simplifies testing of the MAX2411A. This EV kit allows evaluation of the MAX2411A’s low-noise amplifier (LNA), receive downconverter mixer, transmit upconverter mixer, variablegain power-amplifier (PA) driver, and power-management features. Evaluates: MAX2411A MAX2411A Evaluation Kit Connections and Setup This section provides a step-by-step guide for operating the EV kit and testing all four major functions: the LNA, receive mixer, transmit mixer, and PA driver. Do not turn on the DC power or RF signal generators until all connections are made. Low-Noise Amplifier 1) Set the RXEN jumper on the EV kit to the “Logic 1” position and the TXEN jumper to the “Logic 0” position. This enables the MAX2411A’s receive mode. 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. 3) Connect one RF signal generator with the output disabled to the LNAIN SMA connector. Set the generator for an output frequency of 1.9GHz at a power level of -40dBm. 4) Connect a spectrum analyzer to the LNAOUT SMA connector on the EV kit. Set it 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) Enable the RF generator’s output. A signal on the spectrum analyzer’s display should indicate a typical gain of 16.2dB after accounting for cable losses. 7) If desired, the shutdown feature can be tested by moving the RXEN jumper into the “Logic 0” position. The supply current should drop to less than 10µA. Receive Downconverter Mixer 1) Disable the output of the RF signal generator. Turn off the DC supply. Remove the RF signal generator and spectrum analyzer from the LNAIN and LNAOUT connectors. The DC supply connections needed for testing the downconverter mixer are the same as in the LNA section. 2) Set the RXEN jumper on the EV kit to the “Logic 1” position and the TXEN jumper to the “Logic 0” position. This enables the MAX2411A’s receive mode. 3) 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. 4) Connect the other RF signal generator (with the output disabled) to the RXMXIN SMA connector. Set the frequency to 1.9GHz and the output power to -30dBm. This is the RF input signal. 2 5) 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. 6) Turn on the DC supply, LO signal generator, and RF input signal generator. 7) The downconverted output signal at 400MHz is visible on the spectrum analyzer, indicating a mixer conversion gain of typically 9.4dB after accounting for cable and balun losses. The balun loss is typically 1dB at 400MHz. Power-Amplifier Driver 1) Disable the outputs of the signal generators. Turn off the DC supply. Remove any RF signal connections made in the above tests. 2) Set the RXEN jumper to the "Logic 0" position, and the TXEN jumper to the "Logic 1" position. This puts the MAX2411A in transmit mode. 3) Set the voltage source to be used for the gain-control (GC) voltage to 2.15V and turn it off. Connect it to the middle pin of the VGC jumper on the EV kit. 4) Connect to the PADRIN SMA Connector an RF signal generator with the output disabled. Set the frequency to 1.9GHz and the output power to -10dBm. 5) Connect the PADROUT SMA connector to the spectrum analyzer. Configure the analyzer to a center frequency of 1.9GHz, a reference level of +10dBm, and 200MHz total span. 6) Turn on the DC supply, VGC voltage source, and RF signal generator. 7) The supply current should read typically 30mA. A 1.9GHz signal should be visible on the spectrum analyzer display, indicating a typical gain of 15dB after accounting for cable losses. 8) Lowering the voltage on the VGC voltage source to 0 should reduce the gain typically by 35dB. Transmit Upconverter Mixer 1) Disable the outputs of the signal generators. Disconnect the VGC voltage source. Turn off the DC supply. Remove any RF signal connections made in the above tests. 2) Set the RXEN jumper to the "Logic 0" position, and the TXEN jumper to the "Logic 1" position. This puts the MAX2411A in transmit mode. _______________________________________________________________________________________ MAX2411A Evaluation Kit 5) Connect the TXMXOUT SMA connector to the spectrum analyzer. Configure the analyzer for a center frequency of 1.9GHz, a reference level of 0dBm, and 200MHz total span. 6) Turn on the DC supply, LO signal generator, and IF input signal generator. 7) The supply current should typically read 30mA. The spectrum analyzer should show a 1.9GHz signal, indicating a conversion gain of typically 8.5dB after accounting for cable and balun losses. The balun loss is typically 1dB at 400MHz. 8) To observe the remainder of the TX mixer output spectrum, increase the span on the spectrum analyzer from 200MHz to 2GHz. _______________ Detailed Description The MAX2411A EV kit circuitry is described in this section. For more detailed information about the operation of the device itself, please consult the MAX2411A data sheet. Bidirectional IF Port The MAX2411A has a unique differential, bidirectional IF port, allowing the sharing of TX and RX IF filters. To evaluate the part with the EV kit, a balun is used to convert the single-ended IF input or output at the SMA connector to a differential signal across the IF and IF pins. In a typical application, a differential filter would be used, and the filter would connect to a compatible IF part, such as the MAX2511 or MAX2510. At the IF and IF pins, inductors L3, L4, L11, and L12 provide a matching network for TX and RX mode, as well as providing DC bias in RX mode. Capacitors C12 and C13 provide DC blocking to the balun. An extra component footprint, R4, is provided to resistively terminate this IF port. R4 can also be used for other experimentation. The balun, L5, provides 4:1 impedance transformation and differential to single-ended conversion. The other side of the balun is connected to the IF SMA connector. Component footprints R5, R6, and R7 are provided for experimentation. Receiver This section describes the LNA and receive mixer sections of the MAX2411A EV kit. Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) The LNA circuitry consists of two DC blocking capacitors, one at the input (C7) and one at the output (C17). A shunt capacitor, C21, is used as a simple input matching network. RX Mixer Input The receive mixer's input, RXMXIN, requires a simple matching network. C16 provides DC blocking, and L8 is used to match the input pin to 50Ω. Component footprint C22 is available for additional matching network prototyping. The output of the receive mixer appears at the bidirectional IF port in receive mode. Transmitter This section describes the PA driver and transmit mixer sections of the MAX2411A EV kit. PA Driver Amplifier The PA driver amplifier input is internally matched to 50Ω for 1.9GHz operation; capacitor C11 is necessary for DC blocking. The gain of the PA driver is adjustable by applying a voltage on the middle pin of the V GC jumper, which is connected through a 1kΩ resistor (R3) to the GC pin on the MAX2411A. Alternatively, by inserting a shunt, it is possible to set this voltage to ground or VCC. The position labeled "Logic 0" is connected to ground, and the "Logic 1" position is connected to VCC. TX Mixer Output The transmit mixer output appears on the TXMXOUT pin, which requires a pull-up inductor to VCC (L2) and a matching network to a 50Ω load impedance consisting of inductors L2 and L13. C19 provides DC blocking. Local Oscillator (LO) The EV kit’s LO input has a DC blocking capacitor (C20). No other circuitry is required. For more information on the LO port, including the optional use of a differential LO source, consult the MAX2411A data sheet. _______________________________________________________________________________________ 3 Evaluates: MAX2411A 3) 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. 4) Connect the other RF signal generator (with the output disabled) to the IF SMA connector. Set the generator to a frequency of 400MHz and a power level of -32dBm. This is the IF input signal. Evaluates: MAX2411A MAX2411A Evaluation Kit 3 4 GND GND C7 220pF 2 LNAIN SMA C21 1pF LNAOUT LNAIN GND VCC GND 5 VCC C1 47pF VCC GND U1 RXMXIN 10 VCC C2 47pF MAX2411A GND 28 27 LNAOUT SMA C17 220pF 26 25 L8 3.9nH 24 VCC 23 C20 220pF 7 LO SMA 8 12 14 LO GND IF GND L1 18nH GND GND 13 22 GND IF PADROUT SMA C16 220pF C14 1000pF LO VCC C9 1000pF RXMXIN SMA C22 OPEN PADROUT GND 21 L4 27nH L11 27nH 18 R4 OPEN L12 27nH L3 27nH 20 C13 1000pF R5 R7 0Ω 0Ω R6 OPEN L5 TOKO 617 DB-1010 TYPE B4F C12 1000pF VCC 17 15 C15 1000pF VCC C10 220pF C18 1000pF L2 5.6nH VCC LOGIC 1 JU3 VCC JU2 RXEN TXEN 6 JU1 R1 1k LOGIC 0 VGC TXMXOUT VCC TXEN 9 GC 11 TXMXOUT SMA 19 L13 3.9nH PADRIN 16 C19 220pF PADRIN SMA C5 0.1µF VCC C11 220pF RXEN VCC R2 1k C3 10µF C6 0.1µF GND R3 1k C8 0.1µF Figure 1. MAX2411A EV Kit Schematic 4 _______________________________________________________________________________________ C4 0.1µF IF SMA MAX2411A Evaluation Kit The RXEN and TXEN jumpers on the EV kit control the operating modes of the MAX2411A. Refer to the MAX2411A data sheet for operating modes. Series resistors R1 and R2, included on the RXEN and TXEN inputs, provide isolation between logic and RF circuitry. Each VCC node on the PC board should have its own bypass capacitor. This minimizes supply coupling from one section of the MAX2411A to another. A star topology for the supply layout, in which each VCC node on the MAX2411A circuit has a separate connection to a central VCC node, can further minimize coupling between sections of the MAX2411A. ______________________________Layout A good PC board layout is an essential part of an RF circuit design. The EV kit PC board can serve as a guide for laying out a board using the MAX2411A. 1.0" 1.0" Figure 2. MAX2411A EV Kit Component Placement Guide Figure 3. MAX2411A EV Kit PC Board Layout— Component Side _______________________________________________________________________________________ 5 Evaluates: MAX2411A ________________Power Management Evaluates: MAX2411A MAX2411A Evaluation Kit 1.0" 1.0" Figure 4. MAX2411A EV Kit PC Board Layout—Ground Plane Figure 5. MAX2411A EV Kit PC Board Layout—Solder Side 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. 6 _____________________Maxim Integrated Products, 120 San Gabriel Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 408-737-7600 © 1998 Maxim Integrated Products Printed USA is a registered trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.