Evaluates: MAX2644 19-1786 Rev 0 3/01 MAX2644 Evaluation Kit General Description Features The MAX2644 evaluation kit (EV kit) simplifies the evalu- Easy Evaluation of MAX2644 ation of the MAX2644 low-noise amplifier (LNA). The kit +2.7V to +5.5V Single-Supply Operation enables testing of the devices performance and requires no additional support circuitry. The signal input Matched to 50 at 2450MHz and output use SMA connectors to facilitate easy con- Fully Assembled and Tested nection of RF test equipment. The MAX2644 EV kit is fully assembled with the Ordering Information MAX2644 and incorporates matching components opti- mized for a 2450MHz RF frequency operation. PART TEMP RANGE IC-PACKAGE MAX2644EVKIT -40C to +85C 8 SC70-6 Component Suppliers SUPPLIER PHONE FAX WEBSITE Coilcraft 847-639-6400 847-639-1469 www.coilcraft.com Kamaya 219-489-1533 219-489-2261 www.kamaya.com Murata Electronics 800-831-9172 814-238-0490 www.murata.com Taiyo Yuden 800-348-2496 408-434-0375 www.t-yuden.com Component List Quick Start The MAX2644 EV kit is fully assembled and factory test- DESIGNATION QTY DESCRIPTION ed. Follow the instructions in the Connections and Setup section for proper device evaluation. 33pF 5%, 50V ceramic capacitors (0402) Test Equipment Required C1, C2 2 Murata GRM36C0G330J050AD One RF signal generator capable of delivering or 10dBm of output power and a frequency range Taiyo Yuden UMK105CH330JW covering the MAX2644 (2400MHz to 2500MHz, for 2.2pF 0.1pF, 50V ceramic example) capacitor (0402) An RF spectrum analyzer that covers the operating C3 1 Murata GRM36C0G2R2B050AD frequency range (HP8561E, for example) or Taiyo Yuden UMK105CH2R2CW DC power supply capable of supplying +2.7V to +5.5V and 20mA of current 3.3nH 0.3nH inductor (0402) Two 50 coaxial cables with SMA connectors L1 1 Murata LQG10A3N3S00 or Coilcraft 0402CS-3N3XKBG (Optional) An ammeter to measure supply current (Optional) A noise figure meter R1 1 1.2k 5% resistor (0402) (Optional) Network analyzer to measure gain and SMA connectors return loss (PC edge-mount) RFIN, RFOUT 2 EFJohnson 142-0701-801 or Connections and Setup Digi-Key J502-ND Checking Power Gain VCC, GND 2 Test points, Mouser 151-203 1) Connect a DC supply (preset to +3.0V) to the VCC U1 1 MAX2644EXT (6-pin SC70) and GND terminals (through an ammeter, if desired) None 1 MAX2644EVKIT PC board on the EV kit. None 1 MAX2644 EV kit data sheet 2) Set the RF generator for a 2450MHz output frequen- None 1 MAX2644 data sheet cy at a -30dBm power level. Disable RF generates Maxim Integrated Products 1 For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct at 1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxims website at www.maxim-ic.com.MAX2644 Evaluation Kit RFOUT 1 6 BIAS RFOUT SMA R1 1.2k U1 GND 5 2 MAX2644 GND GND C1 33pF VCC Length = 400mils RFIN 3 4 SMA RFIN V CC C2 C3 L1 33pF 2.2pF 3.3nH Figure 1. MAX2644 EV Kit Schematic output. Connect the RF generator output to the RFIN niques and precautions for measuring a low noise fig- SMA connector with a coaxial cable. ure. Detailed explanation of these items would exceed the scope of this document. Take into account PC- 3) Connect the coaxial cable from the RFOUT SMA board and external-components loss when performing connector to the spectrum analyzer. noise-figure measurements. The typical input losses on 4) Turn on the DC supply. The supply current should this EV kit are 0.3dB. For more information on how to read approximately 10mA (if using an ammeter). perform this level of noise-figure measurement, refer to 5) Activate the RF generators output. A signal on the the noise-figure meter operating manual as well as the spectrum analyzers display should indicate a typi- Agilent Technologies (formerly Hewlett Packard) appli- cal gain of +17dB after accounting for cable and cation note 57-2, Noise Figure Measurement board losses. Typical board loss is 0.6dB from input Accuracy. to output port. Layout Considerations 6) (Optional) Another method for determining gain is A good PC board layout is an essential part of an RF using a network analyzer. This has the advantage of circuit design. The EV kit PC board can serve as a displaying gain versus a swept frequency band, in guide for laying out a board using the MAX2644. addition to displaying input and output return loss. Generally, the V node on the PC board should have CC Refer to the network analyzer manufacturers user a decoupling capacitor located close to the device, manual for setup details. and additional capacitors may be needed for long V CC lines. This minimizes supply coupling. Proper ground- Checking Noise Figure ing of the GND pins is essential. Connect the GND pins Noise figure measurements on low-noise devices such to the ground plane either directly or through vias or as the MAX2644 are extremely sensitive to board and both. lab setup losses and parasitics. There are many tech- 2 Evaluates: MAX2644