Maxim Integrated Products' MAX9995 is a fully integrated, dual SiGe mixer designed specifically for 2.5G and 3G wireless-infrastructure applications. It delivers a combination of linearity, noise performance and component integration. This single device provides two independent downconversion channels, each with an IIP3 of 25.6 dBm, a conversion gain of 6.2 dB, and a low noise figure of 9.7 dB. In addition, the MAX9995's 2RF-2LO performance is at 66 dBc for an RF level of -10 dBm, and 61 dBc for an RF level of -5 dBm.

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The MAX9995 is suitable for 1700 MHz to 2200 MHz W-CDMA/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 40 MHz to 350 MHz IF frequency range with a 1400 MHz to 2000 MHz low-side LO injection range. Optimized for high-side LO injection, the MAX9995A also supports a 1900 MHz to 2400 MHz LO frequency range.

As a complete SiGe downconverter, the MAX9995 integrates two state-of-the-art mixer cores, four amplifiers, three baluns, an LO switch and splitter and dozens of discrete components. Through this integration, the total board space used by the mixer is reduced by a factor of two, and the discrete part count is reduced by 45 percent.

Because the device provides more than 6 dB of conversion gain, the designer can eliminate a complete IF amplifier stage within the receiver lineup. Additionally, the mixer's outstanding 2RF-2LO performance can also ease the filtering requirements of close-in harmonics, leading to simpler and more cost-effective filter designs.

Frequency hopping is supported with the integrated SPDT LO switch with switching speeds of <50 ns and >50 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 a gain spread of ±0.5 dB from nominal at room temperature, and ±0.75 dB over the extended temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. IIP3 spread is similarly impressive at ±0.4 dB over temperature. Channel-to-channel isolation is specified at 44 dB.

The MAX9995 comes in a compact 6 mm x 6 mm, 36-pin, thin QFN. Lead-free packaging is also available. Prices start at $9.96 in quantities of 1000 and up.