Highest Linearity, Downconverting SiGe Mixer for WCS, LTE, WiMAX, and MMDS Base Stations

(Product News, 17 Jun 2009)

Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAX19996A, a fully integrated, 2,000MHz to 3,900MHz downconverting mixer with an on-chip LO buffer. Designed using Maxim's proprietary, monolithic SiGe BiCMOS process, this device delivers an unparalleled combination of linearity, noise performance, and component integration over an exceptionally wide band of operation. The MAX19996A provides a fully integrated downconversion channel, with +24.5dBm (typ) IIP3, 8.7dB (typ) conversion gain, and 9.8dB (typ) noise figure. Additionally, it features an industry-best 2LO-2RF spurious rejection of 67dBc for an RF level of -10dBm, and 62dBc for a level of -5dBm. The MAX19996A is designed specifically for 3G/4G wireless-infrastructure applications in which high linearity and a low noise figure are critical for enhanced receiver sensitivity and blocker immunity. This device supports both high- and low-side LO injection architectures for 2.3GHz to 2.9GHz WCS, LTE, WiMAX(TM), and MMDS base stations; in addition, the MAX19996A can be configured for 3.1GHz to 3.9GHz WiMAX and LTE low-side injection architectures as well.

As a complete SiGe downconverter, the MAX19996A integrates a state-of-the-art mixer core, two amplifiers, two baluns, and dozens of discrete components. This device's 8.7dB conversion gain enables the elimination of a complete IF amplifier stage within the receiver lineup. The MAX19996A's outstanding 2LO-2RF performance can also ease the filtering requirements of close-in harmonics, thus leading to simpler, more cost-effective filter designs. Through this combination of integration and performance, this device reduces downconverter solution size by a factor of 2x, and the discrete part count by 34 percent.

The MAX19996A is packaged in a compact, 5mm x 5mm, 20-pin TQFN that is pin compatible with the MAX19996 (a 2000MHz to 3000MHz single mixer). It is also pin similar to the MAX9993/MAX9994/MAX9996 (1700MHz to 2200MHz mixers) and the MAX9984/MAX9986 (400MHz to 1000MHz mixers). This entire family of downconverters is ideal for applications in which a common PCB layout is used for multiple frequency bands.