Analog Devices Inc. ADL5545-EVALZ

Overview

ADL5545-EVALZ from Analog Devices is a fully populated, RoHS-compliant evaluation board designed to characterize the ADL5545 RF/IF gain block amplifier - a single-ended broadband amplifier operating from 30 MHz to 6 GHz with 24.1 dB fixed gain, +18.1 dBm P1dB, and +36.4 dBm OIP3 at 900 MHz. It supports rapid prototyping in wireless infrastructure, cellular repeaters, and test equipment signal chains.

For engineers reviewing the ADL5545-EVALZ datasheet, ADL5545-EVALZ pinout, ADL5545-EVALZ application, or ADL5545-EVALZ equivalent, this board enables fast validation of the ADL5545's RF performance across frequency bands (30 MHz–6 GHz), bias configuration options (default vs. low/high-frequency tuning), thermal behavior, and W-CDMA ACPR compliance - all using a single 5 V supply and standard SMT components.

Technical Context

The ADL5545-EVALZ implements the ADL5545 in a 3-lead SOT-89 (RK-3) package with internal 50 Ω input/output matching, requiring only external AC coupling capacitors (C1/C2), a DC bias inductor (L1), and power decoupling (C4–C6). It supports three operational configurations: default (500 MHz–4 GHz), low-frequency (100–500 MHz), and high-frequency (4–6 GHz), each with specific component values listed in Table 5 of the datasheet.

Thermal design centers on soldering the exposed pad (EPAD) and Pin 2 to a low-impedance ground plane, achieving θJA = 53°C/W per JEDEC JESD51 simulation. The board uses clip-on terminals (VSUP/GND) for power delivery and includes layout features optimized for RF stability down to 30 MHz - including optional feedback network pads for sub-100 MHz operation.

Key Specifications

Availability

ADL5545-EVALZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for RF front-end validation, cellular infrastructure development, spectrum analyzer pre-amplifier staging, and 5G small cell transceiver testing requiring stable component supply and repeatable measurement conditions.

Supply support for ADL5545-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 ADL5545-EVALZ belongs to Analog Devices' RF & Microwave evaluation platform family, engineered to accelerate characterization and integration of broadband gain blocks into wireless communication systems - especially where wideband linearity, low noise, and thermal robustness are critical.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ADL5545-EVALZ?

The ADL5545-EVALZ is an evaluation board purpose-built to demonstrate and validate the performance of the ADL5545 RF gain block amplifier. It provides a ready-to-use PCB layout with optimized RF matching, thermal grounding, and configurable component footprints - enabling engineers to measure gain flatness, OIP3, P1dB, noise figure, and ACPR across 30 MHz to 6 GHz without custom design effort.

Does the ADL5545-EVALZ support operation below 100 MHz?

Yes - the ADL5545-EVALZ supports operation down to 30 MHz when configured with the recommended low-frequency setup: 100 nF AC coupling capacitors (C1/C2), 1000 nH bias inductor (L1), and optional feedback network (1500 Ω resistor + 10 nF capacitor). Figure 35 and Section "Operation Down to 30 MHz" in the ADL5545 datasheet detail this configuration.

How is power delivered to the ADL5545-EVALZ?

Power is delivered to the ADL5545-EVALZ via clip-on terminals labeled VSUP and GND, accepting a single 5 V supply (4.75–5.25 V). The board routes this voltage through a 100 nH bias inductor to the RFOUT pin (Pin 3) of the ADL5545, with local decoupling provided by 100 pF, 1 nF, and 10 µF capacitors as specified in Table 6 of the datasheet.

What RF performance metrics can be measured directly using the ADL5545-EVALZ?

Using the ADL5545-EVALZ, engineers can directly measure key RF metrics including small-signal gain (24.1 dB typical at 900 MHz), output 1 dB compression point (+18.1 dBm at 900 MHz), third-order intercept (+36.4 dBm at 900 MHz), noise figure (2.9 dB at 900 MHz), return loss (S11/S22), reverse isolation (S12), harmonic distortion (H2/H3), and W-CDMA ACPR (−79 dBc at −4 dBm POUT).

Is thermal management addressed on the ADL5545-EVALZ layout?

Yes - the ADL5545-EVALZ implements best-practice thermal design: the exposed pad (EPAD) and Pin 2 of the ADL5545 are soldered to a large, low-impedance ground plane, with stitching vias recommended between PCB layers. This achieves a measured junction-to-air thermal resistance (θJA) of 53°C/W, enabling reliable operation across the full −40°C to +105°C temperature range specified for the ADL5545 device.