Analog Devices today introduced two new integrated wideband passive mixers for communications applications. The ADL5811 single-channel and ADL5812 dual-channel mixers extend across a 700-MHz to 2800-MHz frequency range in a single device while delivering input IP3 (third order intercept) of 24 dBm, an 11 dB SSB noise figure and 7 dB of power conversion gain. These performance specifications are maintained across the full operating frequency range, according to ADI.
The new devices enable multiband, single-board receiver designs by combining a wideband LO (local oscillator) amplifier, a programmable RF balun, a high-linearity mixer core, a programmable IF filter, and an IF amplifier.
According to the company the high performance across 700 MHz to 2800 MHz of the new passive mixers is the result of three technical advances, most significantly the development of a limiting LO amplifier capable of generating a high-voltage, fast-rise-time, square wave over a wide bandwidth with no DC current penalty compared to existing narrow band mixers.
The second technique involves the integration of a tuned,RF balun structure to ensure a well-balanced RF signal is applied to the FET mixer. Previously, narrowband mixers incorporated an RF balun consisting of a magnetic or transmission line transformer, which provided low loss but only moderate bandwidth.
The ADL5811 and ADL5812 passive mixers are designed for wideband wireless infrastructure applications and software-defined radio applications, including multi-band/multi-standard cellular base station receivers, wideband radio link down converters, multi-mode cellular repeaters, and picocell applications.
Priced at $8.03 per1K quantities and packaged in a 32-pin LFCSP the ADL5811 is sampling now and will be in volume production during the third quarter. Also currently sampling and available in quantity during Q3 the ADL5812 comes in a 40-pin LFCSP package and carries a price of $10.98 per 1K.