Dual SiGe mixer

Maxim has introduced the MAX9995, claimed to be the industry's highest performance, fully integrated, dual SiGe mixer.

Designed specifically for 2.5G and 3G wireless-infrastructure applications, it delivers a combination of linearity, noise performance, and component integration.

It provides two independent downconversion channels, each with an IIP3 of 25.6 dBm, a conversion gain of 6.2 dB, and a noise figure of 9.7 dB with a 2RF-2LO performance RF level of -10 dBm, and 61 dBc for an RF level of -5 dBm.

The device is suitable for 1700 to 2200 MHz W-CDMA/UMTS, DSC/PCS/EDGE, cdma2000, and TDMA base station applications where high linearity and low noise figure are critical for enhanced receiver sensitivity and blocker immunity.

The device offers a wide 40 to 350 MHz IF frequency range with a 1400 to 2000 MHz low-side LO injection range. Optimised for high-side LO injection, the device also supports a 1900 to 2400 MHz LO frequency range.

As a complete SiGe downconverter, it integrates two mixer cores, four amplifiers, three baluns, an LO switch and splitter, plus dozens of discrete components.

Because the device provides more than 6 dB of conversion gain, the designer can eliminate a complete IF amplifier stage within the receiver lineup.

Frequency hopping is supported with the integrated SPDT LO switch with switching speeds of <50 ns and >50 dB of LO1-to-LO2 isolation. The on-board, 0 dBm drive LO buffer provides ±3 dB drive-variance control, yielding stable gain, NF, and IIP3 performance over temperature, supply, and input power.

The device has a gain spread of ±0.5 dB from nominal at room temperature, and ±0.75 dB over the extended temperature range of -40 to +85°C.