Maxim Integrated Products has released MAX9994, a high-performance, fully integrated SiGe mixer for 2.5G/3G wireless-infrastructure applications. It is designed to deliver an unparalleled combination of linearity, noise performance, and component integration. This single IC provides 8.3 dB of conversion gain, 9.7 dB of noise figure, and an IIP3 of 26.2 dBm. In addition, the MAX9994's 2RF-2LO performance is at 67 dBc for a -10 dBm RF level and 62 dBc for a -5dBm RF level. The MAX9994 is suitable for 1700 MHz to 2200 MHz WCDMA/UMTS, DCS/PCS/EDGE, cdma2000, and TDMA base-station applications where high linearity and low noise figure are critical for enhanced receiver sensitivity and blocker immunity. The device offers a wide IF frequency range of 40 MHz to 350 MHz, with a low-side LO injection range of 1400 MHz to 2000 MHz. An LO frequency range of 1900 MHz to 2400 MHz is also supported via the MAX9996, which has been optimized for high-side LO injection.

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As a complete SiGe downconverter, the MAX9994 integrates a state-of-the-art double-balanced mixer core with two amplifiers, two baluns, an LO switch, plus dozens of discrete components. Through this integration, the total board space used by the downconverter is reduced by a factor of 2x, and the discrete part count is reduced by 34 percent. Because the device provides more than 8 dB of conversion gain, the designer can eliminate a complete IF amplifier stage within the receiver lineup. The MAX9994's 2RF-2LO performance can also ease the filtering requirements of close-in harmonics, thus leading to simpler and more cost-effective filter designs.

Frequency hopping is supported with the integrated SPDT LO switch with switching speeds of <50ns and 45 dB of LO1-to-LO2 isolation. The on-board, 0 dBm drive LO buffer provides ±3 dB drive-variance control, yielding stable gain, NF, and IIP3 performance over temperature, supply, and input power. The device has excellent gain-variation performance of ±0.75 dB over the industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. The IIP3 spread is impressive at ±0.5 dB over temperature.

The MAX9994 comes in a compact 5 mm x 5 mm, 20-pin thin QFN. Lead-free packaging is also available. Prices start at $6.90 (1000-up, FOB USA).