19-5125; Rev 0; 1/10
Power-Line Communications (PLC) Integrated
Analog Front-End Transceiver
General Description
Features
S Optimized to Operate with the MAX2990 PLC
The MAX2991 power-line communication analog front-
end (AFE) is a state-of-the-art integrated circuit that
delivers high integration and superb performance, while
reducing the total system cost. The MAX2991 is the first
AFE specifically designed for OFDM (orthogonal fre-
quency division multiplexing) modulated signal transmis-
sion over power lines. Operating in the 10kHz to 490kHz
band, the programmable filters allow compliance with
CENELEC, FCC, and ARIB standards using the same
device.
Baseband
S Integrated Band Select Filter, AGC, and 10-Bit
ADC for Rx Path
S Integrated Wave-Shaping Filter, Programmable
Predriver Gain, and 10-Bit DAC for Tx Path
S Variable Sampling Rate Up to 1.2Msps
S Built-In 60dB Dynamic Range AGC and DC Offset
Cancellation
The MAX2991 transceiver provides two main paths:
transmit (Tx) path and receive (Rx) path. The transmit
path injects an OFDM modulated signal into the AC or
DC line. The transmit path is composed of a digital IIR
filter, digital-to-analog converter (DAC), followed by a
lowpass filter, and a preline driver. The receiver path is
for the signal enhancement, filtering, and digitization of
the received signal. The receiver is composed of a low-
pass and a highpass filter, a two-stage automatic gain
control (AGC), and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
The integrated AGC maximizes the dynamic range of the
signal up to 60dB, while the lowpass filter removes any
out-of-band noise, and selects the desired frequency
band. The ADC converts the enhanced and amplified
input signal to a digital format. An integrated offset can-
cellation loop minimizes the DC offset.
S Programmable Filters Operate in the CENELEC,
FCC, and ARIB Frequency Bands
S Single 3.3V Power Supply
S 70mA Typical Supply Current (Half-Duplex Mode)
S Extended Operating Temperature Range
Applications
Automatic Meter Reading
Home Automation
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Building Automation
Industrial Automation
Lighting Control
Sensor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
Remote Monitoring and Control
Security Systems/Keyless Entry
Smart Grid
The MAX2991, along with the MAX2990 PLC baseband
modem, delivers the most cost-effective data communi-
cation solution over power-line networks in the market.
The MAX2991 is specified over the -40NC to +85NC
temperature range and is available in a 48-pin LQFP
package.
Ordering Information
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX2991ECM+
-40NC to +85NC
48 LQFP
+Denotes a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
Typical Application Circuit
MAX2990
MAX2991
MCU
Tx BLOCK
HOST
APPLICATION
µC
LINE
DRIVER
LINE
COUPLER
AC POWER
LINE
INTERFACE
PHY
AFE
Rx BLOCK
_______________________________________________________________ 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.