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Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX9996ETP
- Part No.:
- MAX9996ETP
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- RF Mixers
- Package:
- 20-WQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
MAX9996ETP.pdf
- Description:
- MAX9996 DOWNCONVERSION MIXER
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,295
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Product details
Overview
MAX9996ETP from Maxim Integrated is a SiGe high-linearity downconversion mixer designed for UMTS/WCDMA, DCS, and PCS base-station receivers. It delivers 8.3dB conversion gain, +26.5dBm input IP3, 9.7dB noise figure, and operates across 1700–2200MHz RF and 1900–2400MHz LO bands with high-side LO injection architecture.
For engineers reviewing the MAX9996ETP datasheet, MAX9996ETP pinout, MAX9996ETP application, or MAX9996ETP equivalent, key selection criteria include RF/LO frequency alignment, IIP3 vs. noise figure trade-offs, differential IF output interface requirements, and compatibility with single-ended 50Ω signal chains in high-density RF front-ends.
Technical Context
The MAX9996ETP integrates a double-balanced passive mixer core, on-chip RF and LO baluns, dual-input LO SPDT switch (43dB isolation, 50ns switching), and IF amplifier - enabling single-ended 50Ω RF/LO interfacing without external matching. Its SiGe BiCMOS process supports stable performance across –40°C to +85°C.
It is optimized for high-side LO injection (fLO > fRF), delivering guaranteed specs at –3dBm to +3dBm LO drive, 40–350MHz IF output, and 206–240mA supply current. The exposed-paddle 20-pin thin QFN (5mm × 5mm) ensures low thermal resistance (θJC = 13°C/W) and RF grounding integrity.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| RF Frequency Range | 1700–2200MHz: Covers full UMTS Band I (2100MHz), DCS1800 (1800MHz), and PCS1900 (1900MHz) uplink bands. |
| LO Frequency Range | 1900–2400MHz: Enables high-side injection for all target RF bands with minimal image rejection filter complexity. |
| IF Frequency Range | 40–350MHz: Supports direct sampling ADCs and IF filtering in multi-standard base stations. |
| Conversion Gain | 8.3dB typical: Reduces need for post-mixer amplification, lowering system noise figure and power consumption. |
| IIP3 | +26.5dBm: Maintains linearity under strong adjacent-channel interferers in dense cellular environments. |
| Noise Figure | 9.7dB SSB: Meets stringent sensitivity requirements for high-capacity base station receivers. |
| Supply Current | ≤240mA at VCC = 4.75–5.25V: Enables thermal management in compact, fanless macro/micro base station enclosures. |
Pinout & Package
The MAX9996ETP is housed in a 20-pin thin QFN package (5mm × 5mm) with exposed paddle (T2055-3), optimized for RF grounding and thermal dissipation in high-frequency PCB layouts.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1,6,8,14 | VCC | Power supply inputs requiring local 0.1µF + 10nF bypassing; each must be decoupled to ground for RF stability. |
| 2 | RF | Single-ended 50Ω RF input; internally DC-shorted via on-chip balun - requires external DC-blocking capacitor. |
| 3 | TAP | Center tap of internal RF balun; must be bypassed to ground within 100 mils for optimal balun balance and return loss. |
| 4,5,10,12,13,17 | GND | Ground terminals; routed directly to exposed paddle vias to minimize inductance and ensure RF return path integrity. |
| 7 | LOBIAS | Bias node for internal LO buffer; connects to VCC via 549Ω ±1% resistor to set LO drive level and current. |
| 9 | LOSEL | Digital control input selecting LO1 (low) or LO2 (high); must be driven only after VCC is stable to prevent latch-up. |
| 11 | LO1 | First single-ended 50Ω LO input; selected when LOSEL = logic low; requires 22pF DC-blocking capacitor. |
| 15 | LO2 | Second single-ended 50Ω LO input; selected when LOSEL = logic high; same interface as LO1. |
| 16 | LEXT | External inductor connection (10nH typical); carries ~100mA DC current to suppress LO/RF leakage into IF path. |
| 18,19 | IF-, IF+ | Differential open-collector IF outputs; require external RF chokes to VCC for bias and impedance transformation. |
| 20 | IFBIAS | IF amplifier bias node; connects to GND via 806Ω ±1% resistor to set IF gain and current consumption. |
| EP | GND | Exposed paddle; must be soldered to PCB ground plane using ≥4 thermal vias for thermal conduction and RF shielding. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Integrated RF & LO baluns | Eliminates discrete baluns and matching networks, reducing BOM count and layout area while maintaining 15dB RF port return loss. |
| Dual-input LO SPDT switch | Enables frequency-hopping architectures with 43dB LO1–LO2 isolation and sub-50ns switching - suitable for GSM burst-mode timing. |
| On-chip LO buffer | Accepts –3dBm to +3dBm LO drive, relaxing oscillator output power requirements and improving system-level phase noise margin. |
| Differential IF output | Provides inherent 2LO–2RF spurious rejection (72dBc at PRF = –10dBm), simplifying IF filtering in predistortion receiver paths. |
| External current-setting resistors | R1 (IFBIAS) and R2 (LOBIAS) allow trade-off between power (206–240mA) and performance (IIP3/NF) without redesigning PCB layout. |
Applications
| UMTS/WCDMA Base Stations | DCS1800/PCS1900 EDGE Base Stations |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Downconverting 2100MHz UMTS uplink signals to 200MHz IF in macrocell receivers with high adjacent-channel interference. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-linearity active mixer performing RF-to-IF translation with integrated LO buffering and baluns. Use Value: +26.5dBm IIP3 prevents intermodulation distortion from co-site interferers; 9.7dB NF maintains link budget margin in multi-carrier deployments. | Use Scenario: Supporting dual-band DCS1800/PCS1900 operation in small-cell base stations using shared RF front-end hardware. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Pin-compatible mixer enabling common PCB layout across frequency bands when paired with MAX9984/MAX9986. Use Value: 1700–2200MHz RF range covers both DCS (1800MHz) and PCS (1900MHz) uplinks; eliminates board variants and inventory fragmentation. |
| cdma2000® Base Stations | Predistortion Receivers |
Use Scenario: Receiving cdma2000 reverse-link signals (1930–1990MHz) in high-dynamic-range repeater and distributed antenna systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-noise, high-IP3 downconverter feeding ADC in wideband digital receiver chain. Use Value: 8.3dB conversion gain compensates for IF filter insertion loss; 40–350MHz IF bandwidth supports multi-carrier CDMA channelization. | Use Scenario: Capturing feedback signals from power amplifier output for real-time digital predistortion (DPD) in LTE/5G transceivers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Mixer in observation receiver path, requiring high 2LO–2RF rejection to avoid LO feedthrough corruption of error signal. Use Value: 72dBc 2LO–2RF spurious rejection at –10dBm RF input enables clean error vector magnitude (EVM) measurement without notch filtering. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar downconversion mixer applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX9994ETP | LO range 1400–2000MHz; identical pinout and functional interface; optimized for low-side LO injection. | Preferred for 800–900MHz cellular bands (e.g., cdmaOne™) where fLO < fRF simplifies filter design. | Select MAX9994ETP when targeting lower RF bands (<1700MHz) or requiring better low-side LO performance. |
| MAX9993ETP | Functionally compatible but not pin-compatible; lacks integrated LO switch and baluns; requires external matching. | Suitable for cost-sensitive designs where board space allows discrete baluns and external LO routing. | Choose MAX9993ETP only if reduced integration is acceptable and layout flexibility exists for external components. |
Compared with MAX9994ETP and MAX9993ETP, the MAX9996ETP uniquely combines high-side LO optimization, integrated baluns, and dual-LO switching in a single 5mm × 5mm package - making it the preferred choice for 1700–2200MHz macro/micro base station receivers demanding minimal external components and maximum RF performance.
Availability
MAX9996ETP is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for UMTS/WCDMA base stations, DCS1800/PCS1900 EDGE infrastructure, and cdma2000® repeater systems requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for MAX9996ETP 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
Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices) is a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and RF solutions for communications, industrial, and automotive markets.
The MAX9996ETP belongs to Maxim's high-linearity RF mixer product line, engineered specifically for cellular infrastructure receivers where simultaneous high IIP3, low noise figure, and integration density are critical in multi-standard base stations.
FAQ
What is the recommended LO drive level for MAX9996ETP?
The MAX9996ETP is specified for LO drive levels from –3dBm to +3dBm, with typical performance characterized at 0dBm. Operating outside this range may degrade IIP3, noise figure, or spurious performance. The integrated LO buffer relaxes oscillator output power requirements compared to passive mixers, and the LOSEL-controlled SPDT switch maintains consistent drive across both LO inputs.
Does MAX9996ETP support low-side LO injection?
The MAX9996ETP can operate in low-side LO injection mode (fLO < fRF), but its LO frequency range (1900–2400MHz) is optimized for high-side injection (fLO > fRF). Performance degrades as fLO decreases below 1900MHz. For dedicated low-side applications in 800–1900MHz bands, Maxim recommends the pin-compatible MAX9994ETP, which is tuned for 1400–2000MHz LO operation.
How is the differential IF output of MAX9996ETP interfaced?
The MAX9996ETP provides differential IF outputs (IF+, IF–) with 200Ω impedance, requiring external RF chokes to VCC for biasing. For single-ended IF systems, a 4:1 impedance-ratio balun transforms the differential output to 50Ω, achieving >15dB return loss. The differential architecture inherently improves 2LO–2RF rejection, critical in predistortion feedback paths.
What is the role of the LEXT pin on MAX9996ETP?
The LEXT pin on MAX9996ETP connects to an external 10nH inductor tied to ground, carrying ~100mA DC current. This inductor reduces LO-to-IF and RF-to-IF leakage, improving spurious suppression. If leakage is non-critical, LEXT may be shorted to ground - but doing so sacrifices measured 2LO–2RF rejection and noise figure margin.
Is MAX9996ETP pin-compatible with earlier Maxim mixers?
Yes, MAX9996ETP is pin-compatible with the MAX9984/MAX9986 815–995MHz mixers, enabling common PCB layout across 800MHz and 1700–2200MHz bands. This facilitates multi-band base station designs with shared footprint, reducing NRE costs and accelerating time-to-market for infrastructure OEMs deploying across multiple cellular standards.
MAX9996ETP Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 20-WQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- RF Type:
- Cellular, DCS, EDGE, PCS, UMTS, WLL
- Frequency:
- 1.7GHz ~ 2.2GHz
- Number of Mixers:
- 1
- Gain:
- 8.3dB
- Noise Figure:
- 9.7dB
- Secondary Attributes:
- Down Converter
- Current - Supply:
- 206mA
- Voltage - Supply:
- 4.75V ~ 5.25V
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 20-TQFN (5x5)
MAX9996ETP FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX9996ETP through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX9996ETP on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for MAX9996ETP reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX9996ETP are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX9996ETP is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX9996ETP?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX9996ETP transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX9996ETP?
MAX9996ETP orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX9996ETP order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MAX9996ETP?
For technical support, including MAX9996ETP datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX9996ETP requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX9996ETP is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX9996ETP products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MAX9996ETP meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX9996ETP?
All MAX9996ETP units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX9996ETP, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The MAX9996ETP part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX9996ETP:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
MAX9996ETP Tags
-
MAX2671EUT+T
Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
-
ADEX-10+
Mini-Circuits
-
ADE-2+
Mini-Circuits
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ADE-1+
Mini-Circuits
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LT5560EDD#PBF
Analog Devices Inc.
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LT5560EDD#TRPBF
Analog Devices Inc.
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LTC5562IUC#TRPBF
Analog Devices Inc.
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MAX2681EUT+T
Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
-
ADE-1ASK+
Mini-Circuits
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ADE-1L+
Mini-Circuits
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ADL5350ACPZ-R7
Analog Devices Inc.
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AD608ARZ-RL
Analog Devices Inc.
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