MAXIM MAX9996 Technical data

General Description

The MAX9996 high-linearity downconversion mixer pro­vides 8.3dB gain, +26.5dBm IIP3, and 9.7dB NF for
1700MHz to 2200MHz UMTS/WCDMA, DCS, and PCS
base-station receiver applications. With a 1900MHz to
2400MHz LO frequency range, this particular mixer is
ideal for high-side LO injection receiver architectures.
Low-side LO injection is supported by the MAX9994,
which is pin-for-pin and functionally compatible with the
MAX9996.

In addition to offering excellent linearity and noise per­formance, the MAX9996 also yields a high level of com­ponent integration. This device includes a double­balanced passive mixer core, an IF amplifier, a dual­input LO selectable switch, and an LO buffer. On-chip
baluns are also integrated to allow for single-ended RF
and LO inputs. The MAX9996 requires a nominal LO
drive of 0dBm, and supply current is guaranteed to be
below 240mA.

The MAX9994/MAX9996 are pin compatible with the
MAX9984/MAX9986 815MHz to 995MHz mixers, mak­ing this entire family of downconverters ideal for appli­cations where a common PC board layout is used for
both frequency bands. The MAX9996 is also functional­ly compatible with the MAX9993.

The MAX9996 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

UMTS/WCDMA Base Stations

DCS1800/PCS1900 EDGE Base Stations

cdmaOne™ and cdma2000

®

Base Stations

PHS/PAS Base Stations

Predistortion Receivers

Fixed Broadband Wireless Access

Wireless Local Loop

Private Mobile Radios

Military Systems

Microwave Links

Digital and Spread-Spectrum Communication
Systems

Features

♦ 1700MHz to 2200MHz RF Frequency Range
♦ 1900MHz to 2400MHz LO Frequency Range

(MAX9996)

♦ 1400MHz to 2000MHz LO Frequency Range

(MAX9994)

♦ 40MHz to 350MHz IF Frequency Range
♦ 8.3dB Conversion Gain
♦ +26.5dBm Input IP3
♦ +12.6dBm Input 1dB Compression Point
♦ 9.7dB Noise Figure
♦ 72dBc 2LO-2RF 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 43dB LO1 to LO2

Isolation and 50ns Switching Time

♦ Pin Compatible with MAX9984/MAX9986 815MHz

to 995MHz Mixers

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

for Operating Mixer in Reduced Power/Reduced
Performance Mode

♦ Lead-Free Package Available

MAX9996

SiGe High-Linearity, 1700MHz to 2200MHz

Downconversion Mixer with LO Buffer/Switch

________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products 1

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

19-3531; Rev 0; 12/04

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

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

cdma2000 is a registered trademark of Telecommunications
Industry Association.
cdmaOne is a trademark of CDMA Development Group.

PART TEMP RANGE PIN-PACKAGE

MAX9996ETP - 40° C to + 85° C

MAX9996ETP-T - 40° C to + 85° C

MAX9996ETP+D - 40° C to + 85° C

M AX 9996E 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

MAX9996

SiGe High-Linearity, 1700MHz to 2200MHz
Downconversion Mixer with LO Buffer/Switch

2 _______________________________________________________________________________________

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

(MAX9996 Typical Application Circuit, VCC= +4.75V to +5.25V, no RF signal applied, IF+ and IF- outputs pulled up to VCCthrough
inductive chokes, R

1

= 806Ω, R2= 549Ω, TC= -40°C to +85°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC= +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

(MAX9996 Typical Application Circuit, VCC= +4.75V to +5.25V, RF and LO ports are driven from 50Ω sources, PLO= -3dBm to
+3dBm, P

RF

= -5dBm, fRF= 1700MHz to 2200MHz, fLO= 1900MHz to 2400MHz, fIF= 200MHz, fLO> fRF, TC= -40°C to +85°C,

unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at V

CC

= +5V, P

RF

= -5dBm, PLO= 0dBm, fRF= 1900MHz, fLO= 2100MHz, fIF= 200MHz,

T

C

= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Notes 1, 2)

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

Supply Voltage V

Supply Current I

LO_SEL Input-Logic Low V

LO_SEL Input-Logic High V

CC

CC

IL

IH

4.75 5.00 5.25 V

2V

206 240 mA

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 ±0.75 dB

Input Compression Point P

Input Third-Order Intercept Point IIP3

Input IP3 Variation Over
Temperature

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

RF

LO

IF

1dB

(Note 3) 1700 2200 MHz

(Note 3) 1900 2400

MAX9994 1400 2000

P

C

RF

(Note 4) 12.6 dBm

Two tones:
f

RF1

P

= -5dBm/tone, fLO = 2200MHz,

RF

P

LO

= -40°C to +85°C ±0.5 dB

T

C

40 350 MHz

< +2dBm, TA = +25°C 7.0 8.3 9.0 dB

= 2000MHz, f

= 0dBm, TA = +25°C

= 2001MHz,

RF2

23.5 26.5 dBm

MHz

MAX9996

SiGe High-Linearity, 1700MHz to 2200MHz

Downconversion Mixer with LO Buffer/Switch

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 3

Note 1: Guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 2: All limits include external component losses. Output measurements taken at IF output of the Typical Application Circuit.
Note 3: Operation outside this range is possible, but with degraded performance of some parameters.
Note 4: Compression point characterized. It is advisable not to operate continuously the mixer RF input above +12dBm.
Note 5: 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)

(MAX9996 Typical Application Circuit, VCC= +4.75V to +5.25V, RF and LO ports are driven from 50Ω sources, PLO= -3dBm to
+3dBm, P

RF

= -5dBm, fRF= 1700MHz to 2200MHz, fLO= 1900MHz to 2400MHz, fIF= 200MHz, fLO> fRF, TC= -40°C to +85°C,

unless otherwise noted. Typical values are at V

CC

= +5V, P

RF

= -5dBm, PLO= 0dBm, fRF= 1900MHz, fLO= 2100MHz, fIF= 200MHz,

T

C

= +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Notes 1, 2)

Noise Figure NF Single sideband 9.7 dB

Noise Figure Under-Blocking

LO Drive -3 +3 dBm

Spurious Response at IF

LO1 to LO2 Isolation

Maximum LO Leakage at RF Port P

Maximum LO Leakage at IF Port PLO = +3dBm -30 dBm

Minimum RF-to-IF Isolation 40 dB

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

RF Port Return Loss 15 dB

LO Port Return Loss

IF Port Return Loss

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

2 x 2 2LO-2RF

3 x 3 3LO-3RF

P

R F

= 2190M H z, f

f

L O

LO2 selected, 1900MHz < f

LO1 selected, 1900MHz < f

= +3dBm -20 dBm

LO

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

= 5d Bm , f

= 2000M H z,

R F

B LOC K

= 2100M H z ( N ote 5)

PRF = -10dBm 72

= -5dBm 67

P

RF

PRF = -10dBm 87

P

= -5dBm 77

RF

< 2100MHz 49

LO

< 2100MHz 43

LO

19 dB

16

26

20 dB

dBc

dB

dB

MAX9996

SiGe High-Linearity, 1700MHz to 2200MHz
Downconversion Mixer with LO Buffer/Switch

4 _______________________________________________________________________________________

Typical Operating Characteristics

(MAX9996 Typical Application Circuit, VCC= +5.0V, PLO= 0dBm, PRF= -5dBm, fLO> fRF, fIF= 200MHz, unless otherwise noted.)

6

7

9

8

10

11

1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

CONVERSION GAIN vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9996 toc01

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

CONVERSION GAIN (dB)

TC = +85°C

TC = +25°C

TC = -25°C

6

7

9

8

10

11

1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

CONVERSION GAIN vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9996 toc02

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

CONVERSION GAIN (dB)

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

6

7

9

8

10

11

1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

CONVERSION GAIN vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9996 toc03

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

CONVERSION GAIN (dB)

VCC = 4.75V, 5.0V, 5.25V

21

23

22

25

24

27

26

28

1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

INPUT IP3 vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9996 toc04

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

INPUT IP3 (dBm)

TC = +25°C

TC = -25°C

TC = +85°C

23

22

25

24

27

26

28

1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

INPUT IP3 vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9996 toc05

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

INPUT IP3 (dBm)

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

23

22

25

24

27

26

28

1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

INPUT IP3 vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9996 toc06

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

INPUT IP3 (dBm)

VCC = 5.25V

VCC = 4.75V, 5.0V

7

6

9

8

11

12

10

13

1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

NOISE FIGURE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9996 toc07

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

NOISE FIGURE (dB)

TC = +85°C

TC = +25°C

TC = -25°C

7

8

10

11

9

12

1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

NOISE FIGURE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9996 toc08

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

NOISE FIGURE (dB)

PLO = +3dBm

PLO = -3dBm

PLO = 0dBm

7

8

10

11

9

12

1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

NOISE FIGURE vs. RF FREQUENCY

MAX9996 toc09

RF FREQUENCY (MHz)

NOISE FIGURE (dB)

VCC = 5.25V

VCC = 5.0V

VCC = 4.75V