Linear Technology has announces the LTC5549, a double-balanced mixer that can operate either as an upconverter or downconverter, with a wide RF frequency range from 2 GHz to 14 GHz. It offers exceptionally high linearity of 24.4 dBm IIP3 at 9 GHz. The LTC5549 enables efficient microwave transmitter and receiver designs with an integrated LO buffer that needs a 0 dBm drive level, effectively eliminating an external high power LO amplifier circuit.
Moreover, this mixer has an integrated on-chip, switchable frequency doubler for the LO signal, providing an option to use lower cost, commonly available low frequency synthesizers. The LTC5549 employs wideband integrated balun transformer optimized to extend RF frequency bandwidth from 2 GHz to 14 GHz while enabling single-ended operation. Its IF port also has wide bandwidth up to 6 GHz. All three ports are matched to 50 ohms. The mixer offers high port-to-port isolation, minimizing undesirable LO leakage, and easing external filtering requirements.
The performance of this mixer enhances a wide range of microwave applications including microwave backhaul, high unlicensed band LTE-Advanced base stations, satellite broadband radios, radar systems, X-band and Ku band transceivers, test equipment and satellite modems.
It offers improved ESD protection with its 2,000V ESD human body model (HBM) rating on all pins. The device is available in a tiny 12-lead, 3mm x 2mm plastic QFN package. With its minimal external component design, the LTC5549 results in a compact solution footprint. The device is rated for operation from -40°C to 105°C case temperature to support extended environmental operating temperature. The mixer is optimized for single 3.3V supply operation, drawing a nominal supply current of 115mA. Additionally, the LTC5549 has an enable pin to disable the IC. When deactivated, the device draws only 100µA maximum standby current. The enable pin can be driven directly to turn the device on and off rapidly in less than 0.2µs, supporting time-division duplex (TDD) or burst mode type radios.
Pricing for the LTC5549 starts at $9.50 each in 1,000-piece quantities. Samples and production quantities are available immediately. Click here to see specs and download the datasheet.
