The MAX2838 direct-conversion, zero-IF, RF transceiver is designed specifically for 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz wireless broadband systems. The MAX2838 completely
integrates all circuitry required to implement the RF
transceiver function, providing RF-to-baseband receive
path, baseband-to-RF transmit path, VCO, frequency
synthesizer, and baseband/control interface. The
device includes a fast-settling sigma-delta RF synthesizer with smaller than 29Hz frequency steps. The
MAX2838 supports 2Tx, 2Rx MIMO applications with a
master device providing coherent LO to the slave
device. The transceiver IC also integrates circuits for
on-chip DC-offset cancellation, I/Q error, and carrierleakage detection circuits. Only an RF bandpass filter
(BPF), TCXO, RF switch, PA, and a small number of
passive components are needed to form a complete
wireless broadband RF radio solution.
The MAX2838 completely eliminates the need for an
external SAW filter by implementing on-chip monolithic
filters for both the receiver and transmitter. The baseband filters along with the Rx and Tx signal paths are
optimized to meet the stringent noise figure and linearity specifications. The device supports up to 2048-FFT
OFDM and implements programmable channel filters
for 1.5MHz to 28MHz RF channel bandwidths. The
transceiver requires only 2µs Tx-Rx switching time. The
IC is available in a small 48-pin thin QFN package measuring only 6mm x 6mm x 0.8mm.
Applications
802.16-2004/802.16d Fixed WiMAX™
802.16e MIMO Mobile WiMAX
WiMAX Pico and Femto Basestations
NLOS Wireless Broadband Systems
Features
♦ 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz Wide-Band Operation
♦ Master-Slave Modes with Coherent LO for MIMO
♦ Complete RF Transceiver, and PA Driver
0dBm Linear OFDM Transmit Power
-70dBr Tx Spectral Emission Mask
2.8dB Rx Noise Figure
Tx/Rx I/Q Error and LO Leakage Detection and
Adjustment
Automatic Rx DC Offset Correction
Monolithic Low-Noise VCO with -39dBc Integrated
Phase Noise
Programmable Rx I/Q Lowpass Channel Filters
Programmable Tx I/Q Lowpass Anti-Aliasing Filter
Sigma-Delta Fractional-N PLL with 29Hz Step Size
60dB Tx Gain Control Range with 1dB Step Size,
Digitally Controlled
94dB Rx Gain Control Range with 2dB Step Size,
Digitally Controlled
60dB Analog RSSI Instantaneous Dynamic Range
4-Wire SPI™ Digital Interface
I/Q Analog Baseband Interface
Digital Tx/Rx/Shutdown Mode Control
Low-Power CLOCKOUT Mode
On-Chip Digital Temperature Sensor Readout
♦ +2.7V to +3.6V Transceiver Supply
♦ Low-Power Shutdown Mode
♦ Small 48-Pin Thin QFN Package (6mm x 6mm x 0.8mm)
(MAX2838 Evaluation Kit, VCC_ = 2.7V to 3.6V, TA= -40°C to +85°C, ENABLE and RXTX set according to operating mode, CS =
high, SCLK = DIN = low, transmitter and receiver in maximum gain, no input signal at RF inputs, all RF inputs and outputs terminated
into 50Ω, receiver baseband outputs are open. 90mV
RMS
differential I and Q signals (1MHz) applied to I and Q baseband inputs of
transmitter in transmit mode, all registers set to recommended settings and corresponding test mode, unless otherwise noted.
Typical values are at V
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
CC_
Pins to GND..................................................-0.3V to +3.6V
RF Inputs: RXRF+, RXRF-, EXTVCO+,
EXTVCO- to GND ................................................-0.3V to +3.6V
RF Outputs: TXRF+, TXRF-, EXTVCO+,
EXTVCO- to GND ................................................-0.3V to +3.6V
Analog Inputs: TXBBI+, TXBBI-, TXBBQ+,
TXBBQ-, REFCLK to GND ...................................-0.3V to +3.6V
Analog Outputs: RXBBI+, RXBBI-, RXBBQ+,
RXBBQ-, RSSI, VCOBYP, CPOUT+, CPOUT-,
PABIAS to GND ...................................................-0.3V to +3.6V
Digital Inputs: ENABLE, RXTX, CS, SCLK,
DIN, RXHP B1–B7 to GND ..................................-0.3V to +3.6V
Digital Outputs: DOUT, CLKOUT to GND .............-0.3V to +3.6V
= 40MHz, CS = ENABLE = RXTX = high, SCLK = DIN = low, channel bandwidth BW = 7MHz, with power matching for the RF inputs
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 that normally apply over the entire operating conditions, unless
otherwise indicated. Rx I/Q differential output load impedance = 10kΩ || 8pF.) (Note 1)
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)
(MAX2838 Evaluation Kit, VCC_ = 2.7V to 3.6V, TA= -40°C to +85°C, ENABLE and RXTX set according to operating mode, CS =
high, SCLK = DIN = low, transmitter and receiver in maximum gain, no input signal at RF inputs, all RF inputs and outputs terminated
into 50Ω, receiver baseband outputs are open. 90mV
RMS
differential I and Q signals (1MHz) applied to I and Q baseband inputs of
transmitter in transmit mode, all registers set to recommended settings and corresponding test mode, unless otherwise noted.
Typical values are at V
= 40MHz, CS = ENABLE = RXTX = high, SCLK = DIN = low, channel bandwidth BW = 7MHz, with power matching for the RF inputs
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 that normally apply over the entire operating conditions, unless
otherwise indicated. Rx I/Q differential output load impedance = 10kΩ || 8pF.) (Note 1)
PARAMETERCONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNITS
DSB Noise Figure
In-Band Input P-1dB
Maximum Output Signal Level
Out-of-Band Input IP3 (Note 2)
I/Q Phase Error1MHz baseband output; 1 σ variation, TA = +25°C0.15D eg r ees
I/Q Gain Imbalance1MHz baseband output; 1 σ variation, TA = +25°C0.05dB
I/Q Output DC Droop
I/Q Static DC Offset
Loopback Gain (for Receiver I/Q
Calibration)
RECEIVER BASEBAND FILTERS
Baseband Highpass Filter Corner
Frequency
Voltage gain ≥ 65dB with max RF gain (B7:B6 = 00)2.9
V ol tag e g ai n = 50d B w i th m ax RF g ai n - 8d B ( B7:B6 = 01) 7.9
V ol tag e g ai n = 45d B w i th m ax RF g ai n - 16d B ( B7:B6 = 10) 13.7
V ol tag e g ai n = 15d B w i th m ax RF g ai n - 32d B ( B7:B6 = 11) 31.4
Max RF gain (B7:B6 = 00)-35
Max RF gain - 8dB (B7:B6 = 01)-27
Max RF gain - 16dB (B7:B6 = 10)-19
Max RF gain - 32dB (B7:B6 = 11)-3
Over passband frequency range; at any gain setting;
1dB compression point, differential output
Max RF gain (B7:B6 = 00), AGC set for -65dBm wanted
signal
Max RF gain - 8dB (B7:B6 = 01), AGC set for -55dBm
wanted signal
Max RF gain - 16dB (B7:B6 = 10), AGC set for -40dBm
wanted signal
Max RF gain - 32dB (B7:B6 = 11), AGC set for -30dBm
wanted signal
After completion of default power-on on-chip DC
cancellation, 1 σ variation
N o RF i np ut si g nal ; B7:B1 = 0000000, after com p l eti on of
d efaul t p ow er - on on- chi p D C cancel l ati on, 1 σ var i ati on
Tr ansm itter I/Q i nput to r ecei ver I/Q outp ut; tr ansm i tter B6:B1 =
000011, r ecei ver B5:B1 = 10011 p r og r am m ed thr oug h S P I
= 40MHz, CS = ENABLE = RXTX = high, SCLK = DIN = low, channel bandwidth BW = 7MHz, with power matching for the RF inputs
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 that normally apply over the entire operating conditions, unless
otherwise indicated. Rx I/Q differential output load impedance = 10kΩ || 8pF.) (Note 1)
PARAMETERCONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNITS
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 00001.5
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 00011.75
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 00103.5
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 00115.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 01005.5
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 01016.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 01107.0
RF Channel BW Supported by
Baseband Filter
Baseband Gain Ripple0 to 3.2MHz for BW = 7MHz1dB
Baseband Group Delay Ripple0 to 3.2MHz for BW = 7MHz65ns
Baseband Filter Rejection for
7MHz RF Channel BW
RSSI
RSSI Minimum Output VoltageR
RSSI Maximum Output VoltageR
RSSI Slope30mV/dB
RSSI Output Settling Time
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 01118.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 10009.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 100110.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 101012.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 101114.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 110015.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 110120.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 111024.0
A4:A0 = 00010 serial bits D7:D4 = 111128.0
At 4.67MHz7
At > 10.5MHz53
At > 14MHz75
At > 29.4MHz75
≥ 10kΩ0.65V
LOAD
≥ 10kΩ2.4V
LOAD
To within 3dB of steady
state
+32dB signal step200
-32dB signal step800
MHz
dB
ns
P-P
P-P
MAX2838
3.3GHz to 3.9GHz
Wireless Broadband RF Transceiver
= SCLK = DIN = low, with power matching for the differential RF pins using the
Typical Operating Circuit
. Lowpass filter is set to
7MHz RF channel BW, 90mV
RMS
sine and cosine signal (or 90mV
RMS
64QAM 1024-FFT OFDMA FUSC I/Q signals wherever OFDM
is mentioned) applied to baseband I/Q inputs of transmitter (differential DC-coupled). Registers set to recommended settings and
corresponding test mode, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—FREQUENCY SYNTHESIS
(MAX2838 Evaluation Kit, VCC= 2.8V, TA= +25°C, fLO= 3.6GHz, f
REF
= 40MHz, CS = high, SCLK = DIN = low, PLL loop bandwidth
= 180kHz, charge-pump comparison frequency = 40MHz, T
A
= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)
PARAMETERCONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNITS
TRANSMIT SECTION: Tx BASEBAND I/Q INPUTS TO RF OUTPUTS
RF Output Frequency Range3.33.9GHz
Peak-to-Peak Gain Variation over
RF Band
Total Voltage GainMaximum gain; at unbalanced 50Ω matched output8dB
Maximum Output Power over
Frequency
RF Output Return LossAll gain settings7dB
RF Gain Control Range60dB
RF Gain Control Binary Weights
Unwanted Sideband Suppression
Carrier LeakageRel ati ve to 0d Bm outp ut p ow er ; w i thout cal i b r ati on b y m od em -40dBc
Tx I/Q Input Impedance (R || C)
Baseband Frequency Response
for 7MHz RF Channel BW
Baseband Group Delay Ripple0 to 4.9MHz (BW = 7MHz)15ns
O FD M si g nal confor m i ng to sp ectr al em i ssi on m ask and
- 36d B EV M after I/Q i m bal ance cal i br ation by m od em ( N ote 3)
B11
B22
B34
B48
B516
B632
Without calibration by modem, and excludes modem I/Q
imbalance; P
Minimum differential resistance60kΩ
Maximum differential capacitance0.5pF
0 to 4.67MHz-8
At > 13.23MHz-45
OUT
= 0dBm
2.6dB
0dBm
-40dBc
dB
dB
P-P
PARAMETERCONDITIONSMINTYPMAXUNITS
FREQUENCY SYNTHESIZER
RF Channel Center Frequency3.33.9GHz
Channel Center Frequency
Programming Minimum Step Size
Charge-Pump Comparison
Frequency
Reference Frequency Range114080MHz
Refer ence Fr eq uency Inp ut Level sAC-coupled to REFCLK pin800mV