MAXIM MAX9984 Technical data

General Description

The MAX9984 high-linearity downconversion mixer pro­vides 8.1dB gain, +25dBm IIP3, and 9.3dB NF for
400MHz to 1000MHz base-station receiver applica­tions*. With an optimized 570MHz to 850MHz LO fre­quency range, this particular mixer is ideal for low-side
LO injection receiver architectures in the cellular band.
High-side LO injection is supported by the MAX9986,
which is pin-for-pin and functionally compatible with the
MAX9984.

In addition to offering excellent linearity and noise perfor­mance, the MAX9984 also yields a high level of compo­nent integration. This device includes a double-balanced
passive mixer core, an IF amplifier, a dual-input LO selec­table switch, and an LO buffer. On-chip baluns are also
integrated to allow for single-ended RF and LO inputs.
The MAX9984 requires a nominal LO drive of 0dBm, and
supply current is guaranteed to be below 265mA.

The MAX9984/MAX9986 are pin compatible with the
MAX9994/MAX9996 1700MHz to 2200MHz mixers,
making this entire family of downconverters ideal for
applications where a common PC board layout is used
for both frequency bands. The MAX9984 is also func­tionally compatible with the MAX9993.

The MAX9984 is available in a compact, 20-pin, thin
QFN package (5mm x 5mm) with an exposed paddle.
Electrical performance is guaranteed over the extended

-40°C to +85°C temperature range.

Applications

850MHz W-CDMA Base Stations

GSM 850/GSM 900 2G and 2.5G EDGE Base Stations

cdmaOne™ and cdma2000

®

Base Stations

iDEN®Base Stations

400MHz to 700MHz OFDM/WiMAX CPE and
Base-Station Equipment

Predistortion Receivers

Fixed Broadband Wireless Access

Wireless Local Loop

Private Mobile Radios

Military Systems

Microwave Links

Digital and Spread-Spectrum Communication Systems

Features

♦ 400MHz to 1000MHz RF Frequency Range*
♦ 325MHz to 850MHz LO Frequency Range*

(MAX9984)

♦ 960MHz to 1180MHz LO Frequency Range

(MAX9986)

♦ 50MHz to 250MHz IF Frequency Range
♦ 8.1dB Conversion Gain
♦ +25dBm Input IP3
♦ +13dBm Input 1dB Compression Point
♦ 9.3dB Noise Figure
♦ 71dBc 2RF-2LO Spurious Rejection at

PRF= -10dBm

♦ Integrated LO Buffer
♦ Integrated RF and LO Baluns for Single-Ended

Inputs

♦ Low -3dBm to +3dBm LO Drive
♦ Built-In SPDT LO Switch with 54dB LO1 to LO2

Isolation and 50ns Switching Time

♦ Pin Compatible with MAX9994/MAX9996 1700MHz

to 2200MHz Mixers

♦ Functionally Compatible with MAX9993
♦ External Current-Setting Resistors Provide Option

for Operating Mixer in Reduced Power/Reduced
Performance Mode

♦ Lead-Free Package Available

MAX9984

SiGe High-Linearity, 400MHz to 1000MHz

Downconversion Mixer with LO Buffer/Switch

________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products 1

Pin Configuration/Functional Diagram and Typical
Application Circuit appear at end of data sheet.

19-3648; Rev 0; 4/05

For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.

EVALUATION KIT

AVAILABLE

Ordering Information

*For an RF frequency range below 815MHz (LO frequency below
570MHz), appropriate tuning is required. See Table 2 for details.

**EP = Exposed paddle.
+ = Lead free. D = Dry pack. T = Tape-and-reel.

cdma2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications
Industry Association.
cdmaOne is a trademark of CDMA Development Group.
iDEN is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc.

PART TEMP RANGE PIN-PACKAGE

MAX9984ETP - 40° C to + 85° C

MAX9984ETP-T - 40° C to + 85° C

MAX9984ETP+D - 40° C to + 85° C

MAX9984E TP + TD - 40° C to + 85° C

20 Thi n QFN - E P **
5m m × 5m m

20 Thi n QFN - E P **
5m m × 5m m

20 Thi n QFN - E P **
5m m × 5m m

20 Thi n QFN - E P **
5m m × 5m m

PKG

CODE

T2055- 3

T2055- 3

T2055- 3

T2055- 3

MAX9984

SiGe High-Linearity, 400MHz to 1000MHz
Downconversion Mixer with LO Buffer/Switch

2 _______________________________________________________________________________________

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

(MAX9984 Typical Application Circuit, using component values in Table 1, VCC= +4.75V to +5.25V, no RF signal applied, IF+ and
IF- outputs pulled up to V

CC

through inductive chokes, R1= 953Ω, R2= 619Ω, TC= -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical

values are at V

CC

= +5V, TC= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

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.

VCCto GND...........................................................-0.3V to +5.5V

IF+, IF-, LOBIAS, LOSEL, IFBIAS to GND...-0.3V to (V

CC

+ 0.3V)

TAP ........................................................................-0.3V to +1.4V

LO1, LO2, LEXT to GND........................................-0.3V to +0.3V

RF, LO1, LO2 Input Power .............................................+12dBm

RF (RF is DC shorted to GND through a balun) .................50mA

Continuous Power Dissipation (T

A

= +70°C)

20-Pin Thin QFN-EP (derate 26.3mW/°C above +70°C)...........2.1W

θ

JA

.................................................................................+38°C/W

θ

JC

.................................................................................+13°C/W

Operating Temperature Range (Note A) ....T

C

= -40°C to +85°C

Junction Temperature......................................................+150°C

Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +150°C

Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) .................................+300°C

Note A: T

C

is the temperature on the exposed paddle of the package.

AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

(MAX9984 Typical Application Circuit, using component values in Table 1, VCC= +4.75V to +5.25V, RF and LO ports are driven from
50Ω sources, P

LO

= -3dBm to +3dBm, PRF= -5dBm, fRF= 815MHz to 1000MHz, fLO= 570MHz to 850MHz, fIF= 160MHz, fRF> fLO,

T

C

= -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC= +5V, P

RF

= -5dBm, PLO= 0dBm, fRF= 910MHz, fLO=

750MHz, f

IF

= 160MHz, TC= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)

Supply Voltage V

Supply Current I

LO_SEL Input-Logic Low V

LO_SEL Input-Logic High V

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

CC

CC

IL

IH

4.75 5.00 5.25 V

222 265 mA

2V

0.8 V

RF Frequency Range f

LO Frequency Range f

IF Frequency Range f

Conversion Gain G

Gain Variation Over Temperature TC = -40°C to +85°C- 0.0079 dB/°C

Conversion Gain Flatness

Input Compression Point P

Input Third-Order Intercept Point IIP3

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

RF

LO

1dB

(Note 2) 815 1000

(Notes 2, 3) 400

(Note 2) 570 850

(Notes 2, 3) 325

MAX9986 960 1180

(Note 2) 50 250 MHz

IF

fRF = 910MHz, fLO = 750MHz, TC = +25°C 7.2 8.1 9.2 dB

C

Fl atness over any one of thr ee fr equency b and s:
f

= 824MHz to 849MHz

RF

= 869MHz to 894MHz

f

RF

f

= 880MHz to 915MHz

RF

(Note 4) 13 dBm

fLO = 570MHz to 850MHz, fIF = 160MHz,

= 0dBm, TC = +25°C (Note 5)

P

LO

Two tones:

= 910MHz, f

f

RF1

P

= -5dBm/tone, fLO = 750MHz,

RF

= 0dBm, TC = +25°C

P

LO

RF2

= 911MHz,

±0.25 dB

19

22 25

MHz

MHz

dBm

MAX9984

SiGe High-Linearity, 400MHz to 1000MHz

Downconversion Mixer with LO Buffer/Switch

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 3

Note 1: All limits include external component losses. Output measurements taken at IF output of the Typical Application Circuit.
Note 2: Operation outside this range is possible, but with degraded performance of some parameters.
Note 3: See Table 2 for component list required for 400MHz to 500MHz operation. For operation from 500MHz to 800MHz, appropriate

tuning is required; please contact the factory for support.

Note 4: Compression point characterized. It is advisable not to operate continuously the mixer RF input above +12dBm.
Note 5: Guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 6: Measured with external LO source noise filtered so the noise floor is -174dBm/Hz. This specification reflects the effects of all

SNR degradations in the mixer, including the LO noise as defined in Maxim Application Note 2021.

AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)

(MAX9984 Typical Application Circuit, using component values in Table 1, VCC= +4.75V to +5.25V, RF and LO ports are driven from
50Ω sources, P

LO

= -3dBm to +3dBm, PRF= -5dBm, fRF= 815MHz to 1000MHz, fLO= 570MHz to 850MHz, fIF= 160MHz, fRF> fLO,

T

C

= -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC= +5V, P

RF

= -5dBm, PLO= 0dBm, fRF= 910MHz, fLO=

750MHz, f

IF

= 160MHz, TC= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)

Input IP3 Variation Over
Temperature

Noise Figure NF Single sideband, fIF = 190MHz 9.3 dB

Noise Figure Under-Blocking

Small-Signal Compression
Under-Blocking Condition

LO Drive -3 +3 dBm

Spurious Response at IF

LO1 to LO2 Isolation

LO Leakage at RF Port PLO = +3dBm -32 dBm

LO Leakage at IF Port PLO = +3dBm -23 dBm

RF-to-IF Isolation PLO = +3dBm 54 dB

LO Switching Time 50% of LOSEL to IF settled to within 2° 50 ns

RF Port Return Loss 14 dB

LO Port Return Loss

IF Port Return Loss

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

TC = +25°C to -40°C -1.5

T

= +25°C to +85°C +0.8

C

= 900M H z ( no si g nal )

f

R F

= 1090M H z

f

L O

f

B LOC K E R

= 190M H z

f

I F

( N ote 6)

P

FUNDAMENTAL

f

F U N D A M E N TA L

f

B LOC K E R

2 x 2 2RF-2LO

3 x 3 3RF-3LO

P

= +3dBm

LO

= +25°C (Note 5)

T

C

LO1/2 port selected,
LO2/1 and IF terminated

LO1/2 port unselected,
LO2/1 and IF terminated

LO driven at 0dBm, RF terminated into 50Ω,
differential 200Ω

= 981M H z

= -5dBm

= 910M H z

= 911M H z

P

B LOC K E R

+ 8d Bm

P

B LOC K E R

+ 11d Bm

P

B LOC K E R

+ 8d Bm

P

B LOC K E R

+ 11d Bm

PRF = -10dBm 71

P

RF

PRF = -10dBm 87

P

RF

LO2 selected 47 54

LO1 selected 47 60

=

=

=

=

= -5dBm 66

= -5dBm 82

19

24

0.25

0.6

23

20

16 dB

dB

dB

dB

dBc

dB

dB

Typical Operating Characteristics

(MAX9984 Typical Application Circuit, using component values in Table 1, VCC= +5.0V, PLO= 0dBm, PRF= -5dBm, fRF> fLO, fIF=
160MHz, unless otherwise noted.)

6

7

9

8

10

11

700 800

900 1000

1100

CONVERSION GAIN vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc01

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

CONVERSION GAIN (dB)

TC = +85°C

TC = -25°C

TC = -40°C

TC = +25°C

6

7

9

8

10

11

700 800

900 1000

1100

CONVERSION GAIN vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc02

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

CONVERSION GAIN (dB)

PLO = -3dBm, 0dBm, +3dBm

6

7

9

8

10

11

700 800

900 1000

1100

CONVERSION GAIN vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc03

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

CONVERSION GAIN (dB)

VCC = 4.75V, 5.0V, 5.25V

20

22

21

24

23

26

25

27

INPUT IP3 vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc04

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

INPUT IP3 (dBm)

700 800 900 1000 1100

TC = +85°C

TC = -25°C

TC = -40°C

TC = +25°C

20

22

21

24

23

26

25

27

INPUT IP3 vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc05

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

INPUT IP3 (dBm)

700 800 900 1000 1100

PLO = -3dBm, 0dBm, +3dBm

19

21

20

23

22

25

24

26

INPUT IP3 vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc06

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

INPUT IP3 (dBm)

700 800 900 1000 1100

VCC = 5.25V

VCC = 5.0V

VCC = 4.75V

5

8

7

6

10

11

9

12

700 800 900 1000

NOISE FIGURE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc07

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

NOISE FIGURE (dB)

TC = -40°C

TC = +85°C

TC = +25°C

TC = -25°C

5

7

6

10

11

9

8

12

700 800 900 1000

NOISE FIGURE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc08

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

NOISE FIGURE (dB)

PLO = -3dBm, 0dBm, +3dBm

5

7

6

10

11

9

8

12

700 800 900 1000

NOISE FIGURE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc09

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

NOISE FIGURE (dB)

VCC = 4.75V, 5.0V, 5.25V

MAX9984

SiGe High-Linearity, 400MHz to 1000MHz
Downconversion Mixer with LO Buffer/Switch

4 _______________________________________________________________________________________

45

60

70

50

55

65

75

700 800 900 1000 1100

2RF-2LO RESPONSE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc10

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

2RF-2LO RESPONSE (dBc)

PRF = -5dBm

TC = -25°C, -40°C

TC = +85°C

TC = +25°C

45

60

70

50

55

65

75

700 800 900 1000 1100

2RF-2LO RESPONSE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc11

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

2RF-2LO RESPONSE (dBc)

PRF = -5dBm

PLO = -3dBm

PLO = 0dBm

PLO = +3dBm

45

60

75

70

50

55

65

80

700 800 900 1000 1100

2RF-2LO RESPONSE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc12

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

2RF-2LO RESPONSE (dBc)

PRF = -5dBm

VCC = 5.25V

VCC = 5.0V

VCC = 4.75V

55

65

75

85

95

700 800 900 1000 1100

3RF-3LO RESPONSE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc13

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

3RF-3LO RESPONSE (dBc)

PRF = -5dBm

TC = -25°C

TC = -40°C

TC = +85°C

TC = +25°C

55

65

75

85

95

700 800 900 1000 1100

3RF-3LO RESPONSE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc14

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

3RF-3LO RESPONSE (dBc)

PRF = -5dBm

PLO = -3dBm, 0dBm, +3dBm

55

65

75

85

95

700 800 900 1000 1100

3RF-3LO RESPONSE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc15

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

3RF-3LO RESPONSE (dBc)

PRF = -5dBm

VCC = 5.25V

VCC = 5.0V

VCC = 4.75V

9

12

14

11

10

13

15

700 800 900 1000 1100

INPUT P

1dB

vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc16

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

INPUT P

1dB

(dBm)

TC = -40°C

TC = +85°C

TC = +25°C

TC = -25°C

9

12

14

11

10

13

15

700 800 900 1000 1100

INPUT P

1dB

vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc17

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

INPUT P

1dB

(dBm)

PLO = -3dBm, 0dBm, +3dBm

9

12

14

11

10

13

15

700 800 900 1000 1100

INPUT P

1dB

vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9984 toc18

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

INPUT P

1dB

(dBm)

VCC = 4.75V

VCC = 5.0V

VCC = 5.25V

Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)

(MAX9984 Typical Application Circuit, using component values in Table 1, VCC= +5.0V, PLO= 0dBm, PRF= -5dBm, fRF> fLO, fIF=
160MHz, unless otherwise noted.)

MAX9984

SiGe High-Linearity, 400MHz to 1000MHz

Downconversion Mixer with LO Buffer/Switch

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 5