If using an oscilloscope, observe the 571kHz sine
wave. Increase the input power of the signal gener-
ator until the I and Q outputs reach 0.5V
P-P
. This is
the nominal output level for the I and Q channels.
The I and Q waveforms will be out-of-phase by
approximately 90°.
Voltage gain can be calculated by:
Gain = 20 x LOG(V
OUT_P-P
/ (2 x sqrt(2) x V
IN_RMS
) )
where V
IN_RMS
=
√
( 50 x 10
[ (Pin (dBm) – 30) / 10]
)
RF Gain-Control Range (GC1)
To measure the gain-control range in the RF stage, follow
the steps below:
1)
Adjust R17 so V
GC2
= 1.5V.
2)
Adjust R16 so V
GC1
= 0.3V.
3)
Adjust the RF input power to achieve -2dBm at the
I/Q outputs. Record this as the reference output level.
4) Adjust R16 until V
GC1
= 2.7V, and record the
change in the I/Q output levels in dB relative to
-2dBm. This change in output power is the gain-
control range of the RF stage.
5) The RF gain-control range will be at least 38dB.
Baseband Gain-Control Range (GC2)
To measure the gain-control range in the baseband
stage, follow the steps below:
1)
Adjust R16 so V
GC1
= 1.5V.
2)
Adjust R17 so V
GC2
= 0.3V.
3)
Adjust the RF input power to achieve -2dBm at the
I/Q outputs. Record this as the reference output level.
4)
Adjust R17 until V
GC2
= 2.7V, and record the change
in the I/Q output levels in dB relative to -2dBm. This
change in output power is the gain-control range of
the baseband stage.
5)
The baseband gain-control range will be at least
57dB.
Layout Considerations
The MAX2160 evaluation board can serve as a reference
board layout. Keep traces carrying RF signals as short as
possible to minimize radiation and insertion loss. Place
supply-decoupling capacitors as close to the device as
possible. Solder the package’s exposed paddle evenly to
the board ground plane for a low-inductance ground con-
nection and for improved thermal dissipation.
In addition, the ground returns for the VCO, VTUNE,
and charge pump require special layout consideration.
The VCOBYP capacitor (C37) and the VCCVCO bypass
capacitor (C19) ground returns must be routed back to
the GNDVCO pin and then connected to the overall
ground plane at that point (GNDVCO). All loop filter
component grounds (C27–C30) and the VCCCP
bypass capacitor (C17) ground must all be routed
together back to the GNDCP pin. GNDTUNE must also
be routed back to the GNDCP pin along with all other
grounds from the PLL loop filter. The GNDCP pin must
then be connected to the overall ground plane. See
Figures 2–6 for recommended board layout.
E
MAX2160 Evaluation Kit
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3
JUMPER
FUNCTION
JUMPER POSITION
J6
Sets control of
the ENTCXO
pin
OPEN: ENTCXO pin is controlled
by the PC software.
SHORT: ENTCXO pin is pulled low
(remove R31 in this mode).
J7
Sets control of
the GC2 pin
OPEN: GC2 is controlled with an
external voltage source applied to
TP4 (remove R18 in this mode).
SHORT: GC2 is controlled by the
voltage set by potentiometer R17.
J18–J26
Set control of
VCC1 through
VCC9
OPEN: VCC1 through VCC9 can
be individually applied.
SHORT: VCC1 through VCC9 are
connected to the board’s main
supply voltage, VCC. (Note: These
jumpers are hardwired as a short
on the board.)
J27
Sets control of
the GC1 pin
1-2: GC1 is controlled by the
voltage set by potentiometer R16.
2-3: GC1 is controlled by the RF
power-detector output (power
detector must be enabled).
Table 1. MAX2160 EV Kit Jumper Settings