Variable-Gain Amplifier supports 25 ns digital switching.

Press Release Summary:



Incorporating 9 circuit functions, dual-channel Model MAX2062 can serve as IF or RF VGA, interfacing directly with 50 W systems operating over 50-1,000 MHz frequency range. Unit provides rapid-fire gain selection for 4 customized attenuation states per path. In typical configuration, cascade yields total gain range of 64 dB, max gain of 19.4 dB, and noise figure of 7.3 dB. Dedicated 8-bit control DACs allow user to adjust analog attenuation in 0.12 dB increments through SPI command.



Original Press Release:



Industry's Only Fully Programmable, Multistate, Dual Analog + Digital VGA Reduces Solution Footprint by 31%



Maxim's new analog + digital VGA integrates nine distinct circuit functions to save space in 2.5G, 3G, and 4G wireless infrastructure transceivers.

SUNNYVALE, CA -- Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) introduces the MAX2062, the industry's only fully programmable, multistate, dual-channel, analog + digital IF/RF variable-gain amplifier (VGA). This easy-to-control device delivers an unparalleled combination of VGA performance, programmability, and component integration. As with its predecessor, the single-channel MAX2065, the MAX2062 provides unique "rapid-fire" gain selection for four customized attenuation states per path, fast 25ns digital switching, and very low digital VGA amplitude overshoot/undershoot. The MAX2062 also provides the convenience of SPI(TM) control for its two analog attenuators through its on-chip 8-bit DACs. It is an ideal choice for the "fast-attack" automatic gain control (AGC) circuits found in all 2.5G/3G/4G wireless infrastructure transceivers, including GSM/EDGE, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, and WiMAX® applications.

The MAX2062 can serve as either an IF or RF all-purpose VGA, interfacing directly with 50ohm systems operating over the 50MHz to 1000MHz frequency range. Since the stages within each path have their own RF input and RF output, the MAX2062 can be configured to optimize either noise figure (amplifier configured first within the cascade) or linearity (amplifier configured last). Alternately, it can be configured to provide a compromise between the two parameters (amplifier configured second). In its typical configuration (digital attenuator to analog attenuator to driver amplifier), the cascade yields a total gain range of 64dB, a maximum gain of 19.4dB, and a noise figure of 7.3dB. The cascaded linearity is equally impressive with +41dBm of OIP3, +56dBm of OIP2, and +19dBm of OP1dB performance. In a receiver application, this excellent linearity directly enhances the receiver's immunity to strong blocker signals. Second- and third-order harmonic distortion (HD2 and HD3) content is also limited to -55dBc and -72.7dBc, respectively. This performance eases the filtering requirements of close-in harmonics and leads to simpler and more cost-effective filter designs.

The device's unique rapid-fire gain-selection feature lets the user quickly access any of four customized digital attenuation states without incurring the delays associated with reprogramming the device through the SPI bus. The digital attenuator I/O is further reduced by a factor of either 5x or 2.5x (5 control bits vs. 1 or 2, respectively), depending on the number of states desired.

The dedicated 8-bit control DACs allow the user to easily adjust the analog attenuation in 0.12dB increments through a simple SPI command. By integrating this function, the device not only eliminates the need for separate control DACs and voltage references, but it also simplifies the overall design. No additional SPI peripherals need to be programmed, and no additional analog control lines must be routed on the PCB.

The MAX2062 incorporates nine unique circuit functions into a single, compact monolithic device. When compared to an equivalent circuit using two MAX2065 VGAs, this new dual VGA reduces the circuit's overall footprint by 31%. These cost and space savings enable the next generation of wireless infrastructure designs in which transceiver price and density issues are paramount.

The MAX2062 is available in a lead-free, 48-pin TQFN package. Prices start at $13.45 (1000-up, FOB USA). Pin-for-pin compatible digital-only (MAX2063) and analog-only (MAX2064) versions are also available. For more information, please visit www.maxim-ic.com/IFVGA.

Maxim Integrated Products is a publicly traded company that designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance semiconductor products. The Company was founded over 25 years ago with the mission to deliver innovative analog and mixed-signal engineering solutions that add value to its customers' products. To date, it has developed over 6400 products serving the industrial, communications, consumer, and computing markets.

Maxim reported revenue of approximately $2.0 billion for fiscal 2010. A Fortune 1000 company, Maxim is included in the Nasdaq 100, the Russell 1000, and the MSCI USA indices. For more information, go to www.maxim-ic.com.

SPI is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.

WiMAX is a registered certification mark of the WiMAX Forum

DATA SHEET: A Data Sheet for this product is available on the web.
http://www.maxim-ic.com/MAX2062

Drew Ehrlich

Senior Public Relations Specialist

Maxim Integrated Products

Email: drew@maxim-ic.com

Phone: 408-331-4252

Fax: 408-331-4132

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