Highest Performing, Monolithic RF VGAs Deliver Constant OIP3 of Up to 39dBm
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Note to Editor:The MAX2056/MAX2057 are fully integrated, RF variable gain amplifiers designed specifically for 2.5G and 3G base-station applications. These devices deliver over 40dB of linearly controlled dynamic range while maintaining up to 39dBm of OIP3 over all attenuation settings. Other critical measurement specifications are equally impressive and discussed below. |
SUNNYVALE, CA—March 23, 2005—Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) introduces the MAX2056/MAX2057, the industry's highest performing RF variable gain amplifiers (VGAs) in monolithic form. Designed specifically for 2.5G/3G wireless-infrastructure applications, the MAX2056/MAX2057 deliver over 40dB of linearly controlled dynamic range while maintaining up to 39dBm of OIP3 and 64dBm of OIP2 over all attenuation settings.
The MAX2056/ MAX2057 VGAs are ideal for 800 to 1000MHz/1700 to 2500MHz (respectively) WCDMA, GSM/DCS/PCS/EDGE, cdma2000®, iDEN® and WiMAX(s) wireless infrastructure applications where high linearity and low noise figure are critical for maintaining high levels of ACLR and EVM transmitter performance. These capabilities also enhance receiver sensitivity and blocker immunity when the MAX2056/MAX2057 are used as IF VGAs within WiMAX and microwave terrestrial-link applications. (Editor note: refer to Figure 1.)
As complete SiGe VGAs, the MAX2056/MAX2057 integrate two state-of-the-art, voltage-variable attenuators with a low-noise, high-linearity two-stage RF amplifier. (Editor note: refer to Figure 2). The analog attenuators yield infinite control and high attenuation accuracy over selectable 22dB or 44dB control ranges. Cascading one attenuator of the MAX2056 low-band VGA with the on-chip amplifier yields 15.5dB of gain, a noise figure of 4.5dB, an OP1dB of 23.5dBm, and an OIP3 level of 39dBm. The MAX2057 high-band version similarly offers 15.5dB of gain, a noise figure of 6dB, an OP1dB of 23.8dBm, and an OIP3 level of 37dBm.
In the 900MHz cellular band, the MAX2056 yields an 8dB advantage in OIP3 linearity over the closest competing monolithic solution, and it offers a 3.5dB advantage in noise figure performance. These noise and linearity advantages translate equally well to 1900MHz PCS and 2100MHz WCDMA/UMTS applications, where the MAX2057 yields OIP3 margins of 13dB and 17dB for each band, respectively. Noise figure improvements are on the order of 1 to 2dB.
As the MAX2056/MAX2057 are monolithic solutions, significantly tighter gain and linearity spreads are realized over the closest competing GaAs multichip modules, or MCMs. When compared to the closest MCM competitor, the MAX2056/MAX2057 provide up to 4x less gain drift over -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius, 11x better gain flatness over a 100MHz bandwidth, 5x less OIP3 degradation over the stated P-OUT range, and 10x less OIP3 degradation over temperature. Each of these advantages translates directly into tighter system-level tolerances.
The MAX2056/MAX2057 come in pin-compatible, compact 6mm x 6mm, 36-pin thin QFN packages. Lead-free packaging is also available. Prices start at $5.96 (1000-up, FOB USA).
cdma2000 is a registered of Telecommunications Industry Association.
iDEN is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc.
WiMAX is a service mark of Bandwidth.com.
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