General Description

The MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389 evaluation kits (EV
kits) simplify evaluation of the MAX2387/MAX2388/
MAX2389. The EV kits allow the evaluation of the low-
noise amplifier (LNA) as well as the downconverter
mixer without the use of any additional support circuitry.
The board comes in a single-ended IF load and single-
ended VCO configuration. The signal inputs and out-
puts use SMA connectors to simplify the connection of
RF test equipment.

The MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389 are assembled with
an associated IC and incorporate input- and output-
matching components optimized for RF frequencies
from 2.11GHz to 2.17GHz and an IF frequency of
190MHz.

Features

o +2.7V to +3.3V Single-Supply Operation
o 50 SMA Inputs and Outputs on RF, IF, and LO

Ports for Easy Testing

o All Matching Components Included
o Fully Assembled and Tested

Evaluate: MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389

MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389 Evaluation Kits

________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products

19-1834; Rev 1; 5/01

Component List

Ordering Information

DESIGNATION QTY

DESCRIPTION

C1, C18, C19,

C22

6800pF ±10%, 10V ceramic
capacitors (0402)
Murata GRM36X7R682K025

C2, C27

0.8pF

±0.1pF, 50V ceramic

capacitors (0402)
Murata GRM36COG0R8B050

C3, C5

82pF ±5%, 10V ceramic
capacitors (0402)
Murata GRM36COG820J050

0.068µF ±10%, 10V ceramic
capacitor (0402)
Murata GRM36X5R683K010

C6, C7, C8, C17

Not installed

C11

0.5pF ±0.1pF, 50V ceramic
capacitor (0402)
Murata GRM36COG0R5B050

C12, C13, C24,

C25, C26

0.01µF ±10%, 16V ceramic
capacitors (0402)
Murata GRM36X7R103K016 or
Taiyo Yuden EMK105B103KW

C14, C15

39pF ±5%, 50V ceramic
capacitors (0402)
Murata GRM36COG390J050

C16, C23

22pF ±5%, 050 ceramic
capacitors (0402)
Murata GRM36COG220J050 or
Taiyo Yuden UMK105CH220JW

C20

0.01µF ±10%, 16V ceramic
capacitor (0603)
Murata GRM39X7R103K016

PART

TEMP RANGE

IC PACKAGE

MAX2387EVKIT

-40°C to +85°C

12 QFN

MAX2388EVKIT

-40°C to +85°C

12 QFN

MAX2389EVKIT

-40°C to +85°C

12 QFN

DESIGNATION QTY

DESCRIPTION

C21

10µF ±20%, 10V tantalum
capacitor (B case)
AVX TAJB106M010R

L1, L4

2.2nH ±10% inductors (0402)
Coilcraft 0402CS-2N2XKBG

L2, L3

27nH ±5% inductors (0603)
Coilcraft 0603CS-27NXJBC

C9, L5, L6

resistors (0402)

5.6nH ±5% inductor (0402)
Coilcraft 0402CS-5N6XJBG

±5% resistor (0402)

R2, R3

10k

±5% resistors (0402)

10k

±1% resistor (0402)

24k

±1% resistor (0402)

Balun transformer (B4F type)
Toko 617DB-1018

Balun transformer
Murata LDB15C201A2400

LNA_IN,

LNA_OUT, LO,

MIX_IN, IF

SMA connectors (PC-edge mount)
EFJohnson 142-0701-801 or
Digi-Key J502-ND

JU1, JU2

3-pin headers
Digi-Key S1012-36-ND or equivalent

None

Shunts for JU1JU12
Digi-Key S9000-ND or equivalent

VCC, GND

Test points
Mouser 151-203 or equivalent

For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim's website at www.maxim-ic.com.

Evaluate: MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389

MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389 Evaluation Kits

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Quick Start

The MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389 EV kits are fully
assembled and factory tested. Follow the instructions in
the Connections and Setup section for proper device
evaluation.

Test Equipment Required

Table 1 lists the test equipment required to verify
MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389 operation. It is intended
as a guide only, and some substitutions are possible.

Connections and Setup

This section provides a step-by-step guide to operating
the EV kits and testing the devices' functions. Do not
turn on DC power or RF signal generators until all
connections are made.

Testing the LNA

1) Set the SHDN jumper (JU2) on the EV kit to VCC.

This enables the device.

2) Set the GAIN jumper (JU1) on the EV kit to VCC

(high-gain mode) or to GND (low-gain mode).

3) Connect a DC supply set to +2.7V (through an

ammeter if desired) to the VCC and GND terminals
on the EV kit. If available, set the current limit to
20mA. Do not turn on the supply.

4) Connect one RF signal generator to the LNA_IN SMA

connector. Do not turn on the generator's output. Set
the generator to an output frequency of 2.14GHz
and set the generator power level to -30dBm.

5) Connect the spectrum analyzer to the LNA_OUT

SMA connector. Set the spectrum analyzer to a cen-
ter frequency of 2.14GHz and a total span of
10MHz.

6) Turn on the DC supply; the supply current should

read approximately 6.5mA (low-gain mode) or 9.5mA
(high-gain mode), depending on the part version.

7) Activate the RF generator's output. A 2.14GHz signal

shown on the spectrum analyzer display should indi-
cate a magnitude of approximately -15dBm in high-
gain mode. In low-gain mode the magnitude should
read approximately -46.5dBm for the MAX2387 and
-33dBm for the MAX2388/MAX2389. Be sure to
account for cable losses (between 0.5dB and 2dB)
and circuit board losses (approximately 0.5dB)
when computing gain and noise figure.

8) (Optional) Another method for determining gain is by

using a network analyzer. This has the advantage of
displaying gain over a swept frequency band, in
addition to displaying input and output return loss.
Refer to the network analyzer manufacturer's user
manual for setup details.

Testing the Mixer

1) Connect a DC supply set to +2.7V (through an

ammeter if desired) to the VCC and GND terminals
on the EV kit. If available, set the current limit to
20mA. Do not turn on the supply.

2) Connect one RF signal generator to the LO SMA

connector. Do not turn on the generator output. Set
the frequency to 2.33GHz, and output power to
-10dBm (MAX2387/MAX2388) or -4dBm (MAX2389).
This is the LO signal.

3) Connect another RF signal generator to the MIX_IN

SMA connector. Do not turn on the generator output.
Set the signal generator to 2.14GHz and output
power level to -30dBm.

4) Connect the spectrum analyzer to the IF SMA con-

nector. Set the spectrum analyzer to a center fre-
quency of 190MHz and a total span of 10MHz.

Table 1. Test Equipment

EQUIPMENT

DESCRIPTION

RF Signal
Generators

Capable of delivering at least 0dBm of
output power up to 2.5GHz (HP 8648C or
equivalent)

RF Spectrum
Analyzer

Capable of covering the operating
frequency range of the devices as well as
a few harmonics (HP 8561E or equivalent)

Power Supply

Capable of up to 40mA at +2.7V to +3.3V

Ammeter

To measure supply current (optional)

Network
Analyzer

To measure small-signal return loss and
gain (optional, HP 8753D or equivalent)

SUPPLIER

PHONE

FAX

AVX

847-946-0690

803-626-3123

Coilcraft

847-639-6400

847-639-1469

Murata

770-436-1300

770-436-3030

Toko

708-297-0070

708-699-1194

Component Suppliers

Note: Please indicate that you are using the MAX2387/
MAX2388/MAX2389 when contacting these component suppliers.

5) Turn on the DC supply and the signal generator outputs.

6) A 190MHz signal shown on the spectrum analyzer

display should indicate a magnitude of approxi-
mately -20dBm, indicating a conversion gain of
10dB. Be sure to account for cable losses (between
0.5dB and 2dB) and circuit board losses including
the balun (approximately 1.0dB) when computing
gain and noise figure.

Layout

A good PC board layout is an essential part of an RF
circuit design. The EV kit's PC board can serve as a
guide for laying out a board using the MAX2387/
MAX2388/MAX2389.

Keep RF signal lines as short as possible to minimize
losses and radiation. Always use controlled impedance
lines on all high-frequency inputs and outputs and use
low-inductance connections to ground on all GND pins.
At the mixer outputs, keep the differential lines together
and of the same length to ensure signal balance.

Evaluate: MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389

MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389 Evaluation Kits

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Evaluate: MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389

MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389 Evaluation Kits

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2.2nH

C22

6800pF

SMA

LNA_IN

C27

0.8pF

24k

C23

22pF

BIAS_SET

LNA_OUT

VCC

6800pF

2.2nH

0.8pF

SMA

LNA_OUT

VCC

JU1

10k

C13

0.01

SMA

MIX_IN

0.068

GAIN

MIX_IN

SHDN

VCC

JU2

10k

C24

0.01

OPEN

82pF

OPEN

5.6nH

OUT

UNUSED

INPUT

GND

OUT+

GND

BALUN_LDB15C20

SMA

LO1

OPEN

IF-

IF+

C18

6800pF

C19

6800pF

C26

0.01

C25

0.01

C20

0.01

(0603)

C21

10V

VCC

GND

LNA_IN

GND

10k

C11

0.5pF

27nH

(0603)

27nH

(0603)

C12

0.01

C14

39pF

C16

22pF

C15

39pF

C17

OPEN

617DB-1018

SMA

MAX2387

MAX2388

MAX2389

LO+

LO-

VCC

Figure 1. MAX2387/MAX2388/MAX2389 EV Kit Schematic

Part Number MAX2387EVKIT