SiGe Mixers Tout High Linearity

By way of a proprietary SiGe process, the MAX19995, MAX19995A, MAX19997A, and MAX19999 high-performance, dual, down-converting mixers claim to deliver an unparalleled combination of linearity, noise performance, and component integration. Groomed specifically for DCS/PCS, cdma2000, WCDMA, WCS, LTE, WiMax, and MMDS wireless-infrastructure applications, the devices address all base-station applications spanning the 700 MHz to 4 GHz bands. They provide up to 24.8dBm IIP3 linearity, up to 9 dB of conversion gain, and a 2RF-2LO spurious rejection up to 79dBc. Noise figures are as low as 9 dB. The mixers also support two unique green power modes in which linearity performance can be traded off for reduced power consumption. In 5V mode, the bias currents that drive the on-chip LO buffer and IF amplifier stages can be reduced by as much as 33%. Using this mode of operation, a 20% reduction in power results in only a 3-dB reduction in IIP3 linearity. Similarly, using the 3.3V mode of operation leads to power reductions on the order of 53% with only a 4 dB to 5 dB reduction in linearity. Each device is available in a 36-pin, 6 mm x 6 mm TQFN. Prices start at $9.96 each/1,000. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.