E
MAX2021 Evaluation Kit
2
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Quick Start
The MAX2021 EV kit is fully assembled and factory test-
ed. Follow the instructions in the Connections and
Setup section for proper device evaluation as an
upconverter.
Test Equipment Required
This section lists the recommended test equipment to
verify the operation of the MAX2021 as an upconverter.
It is intended as a guide only, and substitutions may be
possible.
One DC supply capable of delivering +5.0V and
350mA
One low-noise RF signal generator capable of deliv-
ering 10dBm of output power in the 1GHz to 3GHz
frequency range (i.e., HP 8648)
One I/Q generator capable of producing two differ-
ential 1MHz sine waves, 90° out-of-phase with each
other, with a 1.4V
P-P
differential amplitude
One quad-channel oscilloscope with a 100MHz
minimum bandwidth
Low-capacitance oscilloscope probes
One RF spectrum analyzer with a 100kHz to 3GHz
frequency range (HP 8561E)
One RF power meter (HP 437B)
One power sensor (HP 8482A)
Connections and Setup
This section provides a step-by-step guide to testing the
basic functionality of the EV kit as an upconverter. As a
general precaution to prevent damaging the outputs by
driving high VSWR loads, do not turn on DC power or
RF signal generators until all connections are made.
This upconverter procedure is general to operation with
an I/Q baseband input signal at 1MHz. Choose the test
frequency based on the particular system’s frequency
plan and adjust the following procedure accordingly.
See Figure 2 for the test setup diagram.
1) Calibrate the power meter. For safety margin, use a
power sensor rated to at least +20dBm, or use
padding to protect the power head as necessary.
2) Connect a 3dB pad to the DUT end of the RF signal
generators’ SMA cable. This padding improves
VSWR and reduces the errors due to mismatch.
3) Use the power meter to set the RF signal generators
according to the following:
LO signal source: 0dBm into DUT at 900MHz (this
will be approximately 3dBm before the 3dB pad).
Use an oscilloscope to calibrate the baseband I/Q
differential inputs to the following:
Use a signal source where I+, I-, Q+, and Q-
are all 50
single-ended outputs. Load the I+/I-
ports and Q+/Q- ports with 50
differential
loads. Set the voltage across the 50
differen-
tial loads to be 1.4V
P-P
differential. Remove the
50
differential loads. Note that the DUT’s I+/I-
and Q+/Q- port impedances will provide the
differential loading in Step 10.
4) Disable the signal generator outputs.
5) Connect the I/Q source to the differential I/Q ports.
6) Connect the LO source to the EV kit LO input.
7) Measure the loss in the 3dB pad and cable that will be
connected to the RF port. Losses are frequency
dependent, so test this at 900MHz (the RF frequency).
Use this loss as an offset in all output power/gain
calculations.
8) Connect this 3dB pad to the EV kit’s RF port con-
nector and connect a cable from the pad to the
spectrum analyzer.
9) Set DC supply to +5.0V, and set a current limit
around 350mA, if possible. Disable the output volt-
age and connect the supply to the EV kit (through
an ammeter, if desired). Enable the supply.
Readjust the supply to get +5.0V at the EV kit. A
voltage drop occurs across the ammeter when the
device is drawing current.
10) Enable the LO and the I/Q sources.
Testing the Direct Upconverter
Adjust the center and span of the spectrum analyzer to
900MHz and 5MHz, respectively. The LO leakage
appears at 900MHz and there are two sidebands at
899MHz and 901MHz (LSB and USB). One of the side-
bands is the selected RF signal, while the second is the
image. Depending on whether the Q channel is 90
degrees advanced or 90 degrees delayed from the
I channel determines which sideband is selected and
Component Suppliers
SUPPLIER
Johnson
M/A-Com
Murata
PHONE
507-833-8822
800-366-2266
770-436-1300
WEBSITE
www.johnsoncomponents.com
www.macom.com
www.murata.com
Note:
Indicate that you are using the MAX2021 when contacting
these component suppliers.