MAX2021 Evaluation Kit

2

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Quick Start

The MAX2021 EV kit is fully assembled and factory test-

ed. Follow the instructions in the

Connections and

Setup section for proper device evaluation as an

upconverter.

Test Equipment Required

This section lists the recommended test equipment to

verify the operation of the MAX2021 as an upconverter.

It is intended as a guide only, and substitutions may be

possible.

•

One DC supply capable of delivering +5.0V and

350mA

•

One low-noise RF signal generator capable of deliv-

ering 10dBm of output power in the 1GHz to 3GHz

frequency range (i.e., HP 8648)

•

One I/Q generator capable of producing two differ-

ential 1MHz sine waves, 90° out-of-phase with each

•

One quad-channel oscilloscope with a 100MHz

minimum bandwidth

•

Low-capacitance oscilloscope probes

•

One RF spectrum analyzer with a 100kHz to 3GHz

frequency range (HP 8561E)

•

One RF power meter (HP 437B)

•

One power sensor (HP 8482A)

Connections and Setup

This section provides a step-by-step guide to testing the

basic functionality of the EV kit as an upconverter. As a

general precaution to prevent damaging the outputs by

driving high VSWR loads, do not turn on DC power or

RF signal generators until all connections are made.

This upconverter procedure is general to operation with

an I/Q baseband input signal at 1MHz. Choose the test

frequency based on the particular system’s frequency

plan and adjust the following procedure accordingly.

See Figure 2 for the test setup diagram.

1) Calibrate the power meter. For safety margin, use a

power sensor rated to at least +20dBm, or use

padding to protect the power head as necessary.

2) Connect a 3dB pad to the DUT end of the RF signal

generators’ SMA cable. This padding improves

VSWR and reduces the errors due to mismatch.

3) Use the power meter to set the RF signal generators

according to the following:

•

LO signal source: 0dBm into DUT at 900MHz (this

will be approximately 3dBm before the 3dB pad).

Use an oscilloscope to calibrate the baseband I/Q

differential inputs to the following:

•

Use a signal source where I+, I-, Q+, and Q-

are all 50Ω single-ended outputs. Load the I+/I-

ports and Q+/Q- ports with 50Ω differential

loads. Set the voltage across the 50Ω differen-

50Ω differential loads. Note that the DUT’s I+/I-

and Q+/Q- port impedances will provide the

differential loading in Step 10.

4) Disable the signal generator outputs.

5) Connect the I/Q source to the differential I/Q ports.

6) Connect the LO source to the EV kit LO input.

7) Measure the loss in the 3dB pad and cable that will be

connected to the RF port. Losses are frequency

dependent, so test this at 900MHz (the RF frequency).

Use this loss as an offset in all output power/gain

calculations.

8) Connect this 3dB pad to the EV kit’s RF port con-

nector and connect a cable from the pad to the

spectrum analyzer.

9) Set DC supply to +5.0V, and set a current limit

around 350mA, if possible. Disable the output volt-

age and connect the supply to the EV kit (through

an ammeter, if desired). Enable the supply.

Readjust the supply to get +5.0V at the EV kit. A

voltage drop occurs across the ammeter when the

device is drawing current.

10) Enable the LO and the I/Q sources.

Testing the Direct Upconverter

Adjust the center and span of the spectrum analyzer to

900MHz and 5MHz, respectively. The LO leakage

appears at 900MHz and there are two sidebands at

899MHz and 901MHz (LSB and USB). One of the side-

bands is the selected RF signal, while the second is the

image. Depending on whether the Q channel is 90

degrees advanced or 90 degrees delayed from the

I channel determines which sideband is selected and

Component Suppliers

SUPPLIER

PHONE

WEBSITE

Johnson

507-833-8822

www.johnsoncomponents.com

M/A-Com

800-366-2266

www.macom.com

Murata

770-436-1300

www.murata.com

Note: Indicate that you are using the MAX2021 when contacting

these component suppliers.