Analog Devices Inc. ADL5373-EVALZ

Overview

ADL5373-EVALZ from Analog Devices is a fully assembled, RoHS-compliant evaluation board designed to characterize and prototype the ADL5373 fixed-gain quadrature modulator IC operating from 2300 MHz to 3000 MHz. It supports >500 MHz baseband bandwidth, delivers 7.1 dBm RF output power at 2500 MHz LO, achieves −57 dBc sideband suppression, and enables carrier feedthrough nulling via external bias adjustment - all for WiMAX and broadband wireless access system development.

For engineers reviewing the ADL5373-EVALZ datasheet, ADL5373-EVALZ pinout, ADL5373-EVALZ application, or ADL5373-EVALZ equivalent, this board provides verified RF layout, calibrated balun-coupled LO interface (Johanson 2450BL15B050), differential baseband input termination, on-board decoupling, and accessible test points for SSB output power, noise floor (−157.1 dBm/Hz), and modulation fidelity validation under real-world supply (4.75–5.25 V) and temperature (−40°C to +85°C) conditions.

Technical Context

The ADL5373-EVALZ implements the full signal chain of the ADL5373 modulator: differential I/Q baseband inputs (IBBP/IBBN/QBBP/QBBN) are terminated with 50 Ω to ground for 500 mV dc bias; LO is applied differentially via Johanson 2450BL15B050 balun to LOIP/LOIN; RF output is extracted single-ended from VOUT through ac-coupling capacitor COUT (100 pF) and matched to 50 Ω test equipment.

Board-level design follows Analog Devices' AN-772 grounding guidelines: exposed paddle soldered to multi-layer ground plane with nine stitching vias; all five VPS pins decoupled with 0.1 μF capacitors; COM1–COM4 pins tied directly to ground; and optimized trace routing to preserve >500 MHz baseband integrity and minimize LO leakage.

Key Specifications

Availability

ADL5373-EVALZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for WiMAX base station prototyping, satellite modem RF front-end validation, and broadband digital predistortion transmitter development requiring stable component supply and repeatable measurement setup.

Supply support for ADL5373-EVALZ includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Analog Devices, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing semiconductors, headquartered in Norwood, MA.

The ADL5373-EVALZ belongs to Analog Devices' RF & Microwave Evaluation Platform family, engineered specifically to accelerate time-to-test for high-frequency quadrature modulators used in wireless infrastructure and aerospace communications systems.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ADL5373-EVALZ?

The ADL5373-EVALZ is an evaluation board purpose-built to demonstrate and validate the ADL5373 fixed-gain quadrature modulator IC. It provides complete, ready-to-use hardware - including matched balun, baseband termination, power decoupling, and SMA RF output - enabling immediate characterization of modulation performance (sideband suppression, carrier feedthrough, OIP3) across 2300–3000 MHz without custom PCB design. The ADL5373-EVALZ does not contain active circuitry beyond what is required to interface the ADL5373 IC.

Does the ADL5373-EVALZ include the ADL5373 IC?

Yes, the ADL5373-EVALZ ships with the ADL5373 IC pre-mounted in its native 24-lead LFCSP package. The board is fully assembled and tested, featuring the exact ADL5373 device specified in the Rev. A datasheet - including exposed paddle thermal grounding, COM pin routing, and VPS supply distribution - ensuring correlation between evaluation results and final system integration.

What LO source requirements must be met when using the ADL5373-EVALZ?

The ADL5373-EVALZ requires a differential LO signal delivered via the onboard Johanson 2450BL15B050 balun. The recommended LO drive level is 0 dBm (−6 to +6 dBm range supported), with optimal noise and linearity achieved near 0 dBm. The board's LO input pads (LOIP/LOIN) are ac-coupled; users must provide a 50 Ω differential source - such as a signal generator with external splitter or integrated synthesizer - referenced to the board's ground plane.

Can the ADL5373-EVALZ be used for carrier feedthrough and sideband suppression nulling?

Yes, the ADL5373-EVALZ supports both carrier feedthrough and sideband suppression optimization as described in the ADL5373 datasheet. Test points are provided for injecting small dc offsets into the I/Q baseband paths (IBBP/IBBN/QBBP/QBBN) to perform iterative nulling. The board's layout preserves signal integrity during adjustment, enabling measurable improvement - e.g., carrier feedthrough reduction from −32 dBm to below −60 dBm - consistent with Figure 26 and Figure 27 in the ADL5373 Rev. A datasheet.

Is the ADL5373-EVALZ compatible with other modulators in the ADL537x family?

No, the ADL5373-EVALZ is specifically tailored for the ADL5373 (2300–3000 MHz). While the ADL537x family shares pin-compatible architecture, frequency-specific components - especially the Johanson balun (optimized for 2300–3000 MHz) and baseband matching - are not interchangeable with ADL5372 (1500–2500 MHz) or ADL5375 (300–4000 MHz) variants. Using ADL5373-EVALZ with other parts may yield degraded RF performance outside their specified bands.