M
High-Dynamic-Range, Direct Up-/Downconversion
750MHz to 1200MHz Quadrature Mod/Demod
8
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Detailed Description
The MAX2021 is designed for upconverting differential
in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) inputs from baseband
to a 750MHz to 1200MHz RF frequency range. The
device can also be used as a demodulator, downcon-
verting an RF input signal directly to baseband.
Applications include RFID handheld and portal readers,
as well as single and multicarrier GSM/EDGE,
cdma2000, WCDMA, and iDEN base stations. Direct
conversion architectures are advantageous since they
significantly reduce transmitter or receiver cost, part
count, and power consumption as compared to tradition-
al IF-based double conversion systems.
The MAX2021 integrates internal baluns, an LO buffer, a
phase splitter, two LO driver amplifiers, two matched
double-balanced passive mixers, and a wideband
quadrature combiner. The MAX2021’s high-linearity mix-
ers, in conjuction with the part’s precise in-phase and
quadrature channel matching, enable the device to pos-
sess excellent dynamic range, ACLR, 1dB compression
point, and LO and sideband suppression characteris-
tics. These features make the MAX2021 ideal for four-
carrier WCDMA operation.
LO Input Balun, LO Buffer, and
Phase Splitter
The MAX2021 requires a single-ended LO input, with a
nominal power of 0dBm. An internal low-loss balun at
the LO input converts the single-ended LO signal to a
differential signal at the LO buffer input. In addition, the
internal balun matches the buffer’s input impedance to
50
over the entire band of operation.
The output of the LO buffer goes through a phase split-
ter, which generates a second LO signal that is shifted
by 90° with respect to the original. The 0° and 90° LO
signals drive the I and Q mixers, respectively.
LO Driver
Following the phase splitter, the 0° and 90° LO signals
are each amplified by a two-stage amplifier to drive the
I and Q mixers. The amplifier boosts the level of the LO
Pin Description
PIN
NAME
FUNCTION
1, 5, 9–12, 14, 16–19, 22,
24, 27–30, 32, 34, 35, 36
GND
Ground
2
RBIASLO3 3rd LO Amplifier Bias. Connect a 332
resistor to ground.
LO Input Buffer Amplifier Supply Voltage. Bypass to GND with 33pF and 0.1μF
capacitors as close to the pin as possible.
LO
Local Oscillator Input. 50
input impedance.
RBIASLO1 1st LO Input Buffer Amplifier Bias. Connect a 432
resistor to ground.
N.C.
No Connection. Leave unconnected.
RBIASLO2 2nd LO Amplifier Bias. Connect a 619
resistor to ground.
I-Channel 1st LO Amplifier Supply Voltage. Bypass to GND with 33pF and 0.1μF
capacitors as close to the pin as possible.
I-Channel 2nd LO Amplifier Supply Voltage. Bypass to GND with 33pF and 0.1μF
capacitors as close to the pin as possible.
BBI+
Baseband In-Phase Noninverting Port
BBI-
Baseband In-Phase Inverting Port
RF
RF Port
BBQ-
Baseband Quadrature Inverting Port
BBQ+
Baseband Quadrature Noninverting Port
Q-Channel 2nd LO Amplifier Supply Voltage. Bypass to GND with 33pF and 0.1μF
capacitors as close to the pin as possible.
Q-Channel 1st LO Amplifier Supply Voltage. Bypass to GND with 33pF and 0.1μF
capacitors as close to the pin as possible.
Exposed Ground Paddle. The exposed paddle
MUST
be soldered to the ground plane
using multiple vias.
3
VCCLOA
4
6
7
8
13
VCCLOI1
15
VCCLOI2
20
21
23
25
26
31
VCCLOQ2
33
VCCLOQ1
EP
GND