Evaluate: MAX2116/MAX2118
MAX2116/MAX2118 Evaluation Kits
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Measurement Corrections
Corrections on both the input and the output are neces-
sary for accurate measurements. On the MAX2116/
MAX2118 EV kit boards, F-connectors (75Ω imped-
ance) are mounted at the RFIN port. To use 50Ω test
equipment, an adapter is needed. Thus, the input
power must be adjusted to compensate for the adapter
loss (typically 5.7dB for a “min-loss” pad).
At the baseband output ports, there are 1kΩ resistors in
series with the output pins, which lead to 26.4dB loss if
50Ω test equipment is used. Therefore, for the
MAX2116 EV kit, full-scale output (800mV
P-P
) corre-
sponds to -24.4dBm. For the MAX2118 EV kit, when DL
= 1, full-scale output (1V
P-P
, differential) corresponds to
-28.4dBm on each output port, while for DL = 0, full-
scale output (590mV
P-P
, differential) corresponds to
-33dBm on each output port. When connecting to 50Ω
test equipment, always ensure that DC blocking is used
so that I/Q output bias networks are not disrupted.
Note on MAX2118:
All power levels specified in this EV kit description refer
to single-ended measurements.
Connections and Setup
This section provides a step-by-step guide to operating
the EV kit and testing the device’s function. Do not turn
on the DC power or RF signal generators until all con-
nections are made:
1) Verify that all jumpers are in place.
2) Connect the PC to the EV kit using the parallel
cable.
3) Connect a DC power supply set to +5V (through an
ammeter, if desired) to the VCC and GND terminals
on the EV kit. Set the current limit to 300mA. Do not
turn on the supply.
4) Connect the second DC power supply set to 0.75V
(max RF gain) to GC1 (TP7). Set the current limit to
10mA. Do not turn on the supply.
5) Connect an RF signal generator to the RFIN con-
nector. Use a 75Ω to 50Ω adapter if necessary. Do
not turn on the generator’s output.
6) Connect the I or Q output to a spectrum analyzer or
a digital oscilloscope. If using a spectrum analyzer
or an oscilloscope in 50Ω mode, insert a DC block
to protect the analyzer from damage.
7) Turn on the DC supplies. The 5V supply should
read approximately 190mA. The 0.75V supply
should be less than 1mA.
8) Open the MAX2116/MAX2118 software. The soft-
ware opens in either the MAX2116 or MAX2118
mode. You can change to the appropriate part
under the Option Menu: “Select EVkit type:
MAX2116 or MAX2118”.
9) Click on the Synthesizer tab and configure the
following:
a) Ref = 4
b) R Divider = 4 (This sets the comparison fre-
quency to 1MHz when using the on-board
4MHz crystal)
c) Calibrate VCOs by clicking the “VCO Cal” button.
d) Check “Auto Div Select” and “Auto Band
Select” (This allows the software to pick the
appropriate divider (div by 2 or div by 4) and to
select the appropriate VCO for the entered LO
frequency.)
e) Enter the desired LO frequency
10) Select the Base tab and set the following:
a) Gain Control 2 = 0 (max baseband gain)
b) M Divide = 2 and FDAC = 127 (max baseband
filter bandwidth)
c) If using the MAX2118, select the desired base-
band peak-to-peak output under the “Drive
Level” box (1V
P-P
or 590mV
P-P
).
11) Set the RF generator’s output power to approxi-
mately -65dBm. Activate the RF generator’s output
and select the desired CW input frequency so that
the generator’s frequency is 5MHz higher than the
frequency set in Step 9d. This creates a single
5MHz tone at the baseband output ports.
12) Set the spectrum analyzer: CF = 5MHz, Span =
200kHz, RBW = 1kHz, and VBW = 1kHz. Or, using
an oscilloscope, observe a tone at 5MHz. Adjust the
RF power to obtain the proper output levels as
specified in the “Measurement Corrections” section
of this procedure.
Analog Gain Control (GC1) Test:
1) Adjust the power supply connected to TP7 (GC1) to
0.75V (max RF gain).
2) Ensure that the baseband gain setting is set for
decimal 0 (max baseband gain).
3) Set the RF signal generator’s frequency to 5MHz
higher than the desired LO frequency and its input
power to -65dBm. (The signal generator power
might need to be adjusted to produce a full-scale
baseband output level.)
