19-1049; Rev 1; 8/08
3.3GHz to 3.9GHz
Wireless Broadband RF Transceiver
MAX238
General Description
Features
♦ 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz Wide-Band Operation
The MAX2838 direct-conversion, zero-IF, RF transceiv-
er is designed specifically for 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz wire-
less broadband systems. The MAX2838 completely
integrates all circuitry required to implement the RF
transceiver function, providing RF-to-baseband receive
path, baseband-to-RF transmit path, VCO, frequency
synthesizer, and baseband/control interface. The
device includes a fast-settling sigma-delta RF synthe-
sizer with smaller than 29Hz frequency steps. The
MAX2838 supports 2Tx, 2Rx MIMO applications with a
master device providing coherent LO to the slave
device. The transceiver IC also integrates circuits for
on-chip DC-offset cancellation, I/Q error, and carrier-
leakage detection circuits. Only an RF bandpass filter
(BPF), TCXO, RF switch, PA, and a small number of
passive components are needed to form a complete
wireless broadband RF radio solution.
♦ Master-Slave Modes with Coherent LO for MIMO
♦ Complete RF Transceiver, and PA Driver
0dBm Linear OFDM Transmit Power
-70dBr Tx Spectral Emission Mask
2.8dB Rx Noise Figure
Tx/Rx I/Q Error and LO Leakage Detection and
Adjustment
Automatic Rx DC Offset Correction
Monolithic Low-Noise VCO with -39dBc Integrated
Phase Noise
Programmable Rx I/Q Lowpass Channel Filters
Programmable Tx I/Q Lowpass Anti-Aliasing Filter
Sigma-Delta Fractional-N PLL with 29Hz Step Size
60dB Tx Gain Control Range with 1dB Step Size,
Digitally Controlled
94dB Rx Gain Control Range with 2dB Step Size,
Digitally Controlled
The MAX2838 completely eliminates the need for an
external SAW filter by implementing on-chip monolithic
filters for both the receiver and transmitter. The base-
band filters along with the Rx and Tx signal paths are
optimized to meet the stringent noise figure and lineari-
ty specifications. The device supports up to 2048-FFT
OFDM and implements programmable channel filters
for 1.5MHz to 28MHz RF channel bandwidths. The
transceiver requires only 2µs Tx-Rx switching time. The
IC is available in a small 48-pin thin QFN package mea-
suring only 6mm x 6mm x 0.8mm.
60dB Analog RSSI Instantaneous Dynamic Range
4-Wire SPI™ Digital Interface
I/Q Analog Baseband Interface
Digital Tx/Rx/Shutdown Mode Control
Low-Power CLOCKOUT Mode
On-Chip Digital Temperature Sensor Readout
♦ +2.7V to +3.6V Transceiver Supply
♦ Low-Power Shutdown Mode
♦ Small 48-Pin Thin QFN Package (6mm x 6mm x 0.8mm)
Applications
802.16-2004/802.16d Fixed WiMAX™
Pin Configuration
802.16e MIMO Mobile WiMAX
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
WiMAX Pico and Femto Basestations
NLOS Wireless Broadband Systems
+
VCCRXLNA
GNDRXLNA
B5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
RXBBQ+
RXBBQ-
B6
RXRF+
RXRF-
B4
B7
WiMAX is a trademark of the WiMAX Forum.
SPI is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.
RSSI
MAX2838
DIN
VCCTXPAD
B3
DOUT
EXTVCO+
EXTVCO-
VCCLO
VCCVCO
VCOBYP
Ordering Information
B2
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
TXRF+ 10
TXRF- 11
B1 12
MAX2838ETM+T
-40°C to +85°C
48 TQFN-EP*
*EP = Exposed paddle.
+Denotes a lead-free package.
T = Tape and reel.
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
48 THIN QFN
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
1
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim Direct at 1-888-629-4642,
or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.