The MAX2831/MAX2832 direct conversion, zero-IF, RF
transceivers are designed specifically for 2.4GHz to
2.5GHz 802.11g/b WLAN applications. The MAX2831
completely integrates all circuitry required to implement
the RF transceiver function, providing an RF power
amplifier (PA), RF-to-baseband receive path, basebandto-RF transmit path, VCO, frequency synthesizer, crystal
oscillator, and baseband/control interface. The MAX2832
integrates the same functional blocks except for the PA.
Both devices include a fast-settling sigma-delta RF synthesizer with smaller than 20Hz frequency steps and a
digitally tuned crystal oscillator allowing use of a low-cost
crystal. The devices also integrate on-chip DC-offset
cancellation and I/Q errors and carrier leakage-detection
circuits. Only an RF bandpass filter (BPF), crystal, RF
switch, and a small number of passive components are
needed to form a complete 802.11g/b WLAN RF frontend solution.
The MAX2831/MAX2832 completely eliminate the need
for an external SAW filter by implementing on-chip monolithic filters for both the receiver and transmitter. The
baseband filters are optimized to meet the IEEE 802.11g
standard and proprietary turbo modes up to 40MHz
channel bandwidth. These devices are suitable for the full
range of 802.11g OFDM data rates (6Mbps to 54Mbps)
and 802.11b QPSK and CCK data rates (1Mbps to
11Mbps). The ICs are available in a small, 48-pin TQFN
package measuring only 7mm x 7mm x 0.8mm.
Applications
Wi-Fi, PDA, VOIP, and Cellular Handsets
Wireless Speakers and Headphones
General 2.4GHz ISM Radios
Features
♦ 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz ISM Band Operation
♦ IEEE 802.11g/b Compatible (54Mbps OFDM and
11Mbps CCK)
♦ Complete RF Transceiver, PA, and Crystal
Oscillator (MAX2831)
Best-in-Class Transceiver Performance
62mA Receiver Current
2.6dB Rx Noise Figure
-76dBm Rx Sensitivity (54Mbps OFDM)
No I/Q Calibration Required
0.1dB/0.35° Rx I/Q Gain/Phase Imbalance
33dB RF and 62dB Baseband Gain Control
Range
60dB Range Analog RSSI per RF Gain Setting
Fast Rx I/Q DC-Offset Settling
Programmable Baseband Lowpass Filter
20-Bit Sigma-Delta Fractional-N PLL with
< 20Hz Step Size
Digitally Tuned Crystal Oscillator
+18.5dBm Transmit Power (5.6% EVM with
54Mbps OFDM)
31dB Tx Gain Control Range
Integrated Power Detector (MAX2831)
Serial or Parallel Gain-Control Interface
> 40dB Tx Sideband Suppression without
= 2.7V to 4.2V, TA= -40°C to +85°C, Rx set to the maximum gain. CS =
high, RXHP = SCLK = DIN = low, RSSI and clock output buffer are off, no signal at RF inputs, all RF inputs and outputs terminated
into 50Ω, receiver baseband outputs are open. 100mV
RMS
differential I and Q signals (54Mbps IEEE 802.11g OFDM) applied to I/Q
baseband inputs of transmitter in transmit mode, f
REF
= 40MHz, and registers set to recommended settings and corresponding test
mode, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at V
CC
= 2.8V, V
CCPA
= 3.3V, and TA= +25°C, LO frequency = 2.437GHz, unless
otherwise noted. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB, balun,
and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
V
CCTXPA
, V
CCPA
and TXRF_ to GND ....................-0.3V to +4.5V
= 2.7V to 4.2V, TA= -40°C to +85°C, Rx set to the maximum gain. CS =
high, RXHP = SCLK = DIN = low, RSSI and clock output buffer are off, no signal at RF inputs, all RF inputs and outputs terminated
into 50Ω, receiver baseband outputs are open. 100mV
RMS
differential I and Q signals (54Mbps IEEE 802.11g OFDM) applied to I/Q
baseband inputs of transmitter in transmit mode, f
REF
= 40MHz, and registers set to recommended settings and corresponding test
mode, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at V
CC
= 2.8V, V
CCPA
= 3.3V, and TA= +25°C, LO frequency = 2.437GHz, unless
otherwise noted. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB, balun,
and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
= 40MHz, SHDN = CS = high, RXTX = SCLK = DIN = low, with power matching for the differential
RF pins using the typical applications and registers set to default settings and corresponding test mode, unless otherwise noted.
Unmodulated single-tone RF input signal is used with specifications which normally apply over the entire operating conditions, unless
otherwise indicated. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB,
balun, and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
= 40MHz, SHDN = CS = high, RXTX = SCLK = DIN = low, with power matching for the differential
RF pins using the typical applications and registers set to default settings and corresponding test mode, unless otherwise noted.
Unmodulated single-tone RF input signal is used with specifications which normally apply over the entire operating conditions, unless
otherwise indicated. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB,
balun, and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
Baseband Gain Range
DSB Noise Figure
In-Band Compression Point
Based on EVM
PARAMETERCONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNITS
In-Band Output P-1dBVoltage gain = 90dB, with B7:B6 = 112.5V
Out-of-Band Input IP3 (Note 4)
I/Q Phase Error1σ variation (without calibration)±0.35D eg r ees
I/Q Gain Imbalance1σ variation (without calibration)±0.1dB
RX I/Q Output Load Impedance
(R || C)
Tx-to-Rx Conversion Gain for Rx
I/Q Calibration
Baseband VGA Settling Time
I/Q Output DC Step when RXHP
Transitions from 1 to 0 in
Presence of 802.11g Short
Sequence
Gain Ripple in Passband10kHz to 8.5MHz at baseband±1.3DB
G r oup - D el ay Ri p p l e i n P assb and 10kHz to 8.5MHz at baseband±45ns
From maximum baseband gain (B5:B1 = 11111) to
minimum baseband gain (B5:B1 = 00000)
Voltage gain = maximum with B7:B6 = 112.6
Voltage gain = 50dB with B7:B6 = 113.2
Voltage gain = 45dB with B7:B6 = 1016
Voltage gain = 15dB with B7:B6 = 0X34
-19dBV
output EVM degrades to
9%
B7:B6 = 11-12
B7:B6 = 10-4
B7:B6 = 0X24
Minimum differential resistance10kΩ
Maximum differential capacitance10pF
For receiver gain, B7:B1 = 1101111 (Note 5)0.5dB
Gain change from B5:B1 = 10111 to B5:B1 = 00111; gain
settling to within ±2dB of steady state
After switching RXHP to logic 0 from initial logic 1, during
ideal short sequence data at -55dBm input in AWGN
channel, for -19dBV output; normalized to RMS signal on
I and Q outputs; transition point varied from 0 to 0.8µs in
steps of 0.1µs
After switching RXHP to 0, D13:D12, Register 7
(A3:A0 = 0111)
= 40MHz, SHDN = CS = high, RXTX = SCLK = DIN = low, with power matching for the differential
RF pins using the typical applications and registers set to default settings and corresponding test mode, unless otherwise noted.
Unmodulated single-tone RF input signal is used with specifications which normally apply over the entire operating conditions, unless
otherwise indicated. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB,
balun, and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
Baseband Filter Rejection
(Nominal Mode)
RSSI
RSSI Minimum Output VoltageR
RSSI Maximum Output VoltageR
RSSI Slope30mV/dB
RSSI Output Settling Time
PARAMETERCONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNITS
At 8.5MHz3.2
At 15MHz27
At 20MHz50
At > 40MHz80
LOAD
LOAD
To within 3dB of steady
state
≥ 10kΩ || 5pF0.4V
≥ 10kΩ || 5pF2.4V
+32dB signal step200
-32dB signal step600
dB
ns
MAX2831/MAX2832
2.4GHz to 2.5GHz 802.11g/b
RF Transceivers with Integrated PA
= 3.3V, TA= +25°C, fRF= 2.439GHz , fLO= 2.437GHz. f
REF
= 40MHz, SHDN =
RXTX = CS = high, and SCLK = DIN = low, with power matching for the differential RF pins using the typical applications circuit.
100mV
RMS
sine and cosine signal (or 100mV
RMS
54Mbps IEEE 802.11g I/Q signals wherever OFDM is mentioned) applied to baseband I/Q inputs of transmitter (differential DC-coupled). Registers set to recommend settings and corresponding test mode, unless
otherwise noted. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB, balun,
and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
TRANSMIT SECTION: Tx BASEBAND I/Q INPUTS TO RF OUTPUTS
RF Output Frequency Range2.42.5GHz
Output Power
PARAMETERCONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNITS
MAX2831
Output power adjusted
54Mbps 802.11g
OFDM signal
802.11b signal,
141mV
IEEE802.11b I/Q
signals
RMS
,
to meet 5.6% EVM,
and spectral mask
B6:B1 = 000000-7.5
Output power adjusted
to meet spectral mask
18.5
21
dBm
MAX2832
U nw anted S i d eb and S up p r essi onWithout I/Q calibration, B6:B1 = 100001-42dBc
= 3.3V, TA= +25°C, fRF= 2.439GHz , fLO= 2.437GHz. f
REF
= 40MHz, SHDN =
RXTX = CS = high, and SCLK = DIN = low, with power matching for the differential RF pins using the typical applications circuit.
100mV
RMS
sine and cosine signal (or 100mV
RMS
54Mbps IEEE 802.11g I/Q signals wherever OFDM is mentioned) applied to baseband I/Q inputs of transmitter (differential DC-coupled). Registers set to recommend settings and corresponding test mode, unless
otherwise noted. RF inputs/outputs specifications are referenced to device pins and do not include 1dB loss from EV kit PCB, balun,
and SMA connectors.) (Note 1)
RF Output Return Loss
Tx I/Q Input Load Impedance
(R || C)
Baseband -3dB Corner
Frequency
Baseband Filter RejectionAt 30MHz, in nominal mode62dB
Minimum Power Detector Output
Voltage
Maximum Power Detector Output
Voltage
RF P ow er D etector Resp onse Ti m e0.3µs
TRANSMITTER LO LEAKAGE AND I/Q CALIBRATION USING LO LEAKAGE AND SIDEBAND DETECTOR (see the Tx/Rx
Calibration Mode section)
Tx BASEBAND I/Q INPUTS TO RECEIVER OUTPUTS
LO Leakage and Sideband
Detector Output
Amplifier Gain RangeD12:D11 = 00 to D12:D11 = 11, A3:A0 = 011030dB
Lower -3dB Corner Frequency1MHz
PARAMETERCONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNITS
O ff- chi p b al un + m atch, si ng l eend ed
Minimum differential resistance20kΩ
Maximum differential capacitance0.7pF
D1:D0 = 01, Register 8
(A3:A0 = 1000)
Short sequence transmitter power = +9dBm0.3V
Short sequence transmitter power = +19dBm1.2V
Calibration register,
D12:D11 = 00,
A3:A0 = 0110
MAX2831-20
MAX2832-10
Nominal mode11MHz
Output at 1 x f
(for LO leakage = -29dBc),
f
= 2MHz, 100mV
TONE
Output at 2 x f
(for LO leakage = -240dBc),
f
= 2MHz, 100mV
TONE
TONE
RMS
TONE
RMS
-34
-44
d BV
dB
RM S
MAX2831/MAX2832
2.4GHz to 2.5GHz 802.11g/b
RF Transceivers with Integrated PA
Note 1: Min and max limits are guaranteed by test at TA= +25°C and +85°C and guaranteed by design and characterization at
T
A
= -40°C. The power-on register settings are not production tested. Recommended register setting must be loaded after
VCCis supplied.
Note 2: Guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 3: The nominal part-to-part variation of the RF gain step is ±1dB.
Note 4: Two tones at +25MHz and +48MHz offset with -35dBm/tone. Measure IM3 at 2MHz.
Note 5: Tx I/Q inputs = 100mV
RMS
.
3-WIRE SERIAL-INTERFACE TIMING (See Figure 2)
SCLK Rising Edge to CS Falling
Edge Wait Time, t
Falling Edge of CS to Rising
Edge of First SCLK Time, t
DIN to SCLK Setup Time, t
DIN to SCLK Hold Time, t
SCLK Pulse-Width High, t
SCLK Pulse-Width Low, t
Last Rising Edge of SCLK to
Rising Edge of CS or Clock to
Load Enable Setup Time, t
CS High Pulse Width, t
Time Between the Rising Edge of
CS and the Next Rising Edge of
SCLK, t