Quick Start

The MAX2027 EV kit is fully assembled and factory test-

ed. Follow the instructions in the Connections and

Setup section for proper device evaluation. Table 2 lists

the attenuation setting vs. gain-control bits.

Test Equipment Required

• DC supply capable of delivering 5.25V and 100mA of

continuous current

• HP 8648 (or equivalent) signal source

• HP 8561E (or equivalent) spectrum analyzer capable

of covering the MAX2027’s frequency range as well

as a few harmonics

• HP8753D (or equivalent) network analyzer to measure

return loss and gain

• Lowpass filters to attenuate harmonic output of signal

sources, if harmonic measurements are desired

Connections and Setup

This section provides a step-by-step guide to testing

the basic functionality of the EV kit. As a general pre-

caution 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.

Gain Setting

Connect the header pins for B4–B0 to GND for maxi-

mum gain (15dB, typ). See Table 2 for other gain set-

ting configurations. To set a logic high on B4–B0, leave

the respective header pin unconnected as on-board

resistors pull up the logic to +5V. To control B4–B0

using external logic (voltage limits per data sheet),

ensure that +5V is applied to the chip. Failure to do so

can cause the on-chip ESD diodes to draw significant

current and may damage the part.

Testing the Supply Current

1) Connect 50Ω terminations to RF_IN and RF_OUT.

2) With the DC supply disabled, set it to +5.0V (through

a low internal resistance ammeter, if desired) and

connect to the +5V and GND terminals on the EV kit.

If available, set the current limit to 100mA.

3) Enable the DC supply; the supply current should

read approximately 60mA.

MAX2027 Evaluation Kit

2

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Table 1. Suggested Components for

Matching

FREQUENCY

(MHz)

COMPONENT

VALUE

SIZE

L3, L4

11nH

0603

300

C8, C9

6.8pF

0603

L3, L4

8.7nH

0603

400

C8, C9

5pF

0603

Table 2. Attenuation Setting vs. Gain-

Control Bits

ATTENUATION

(dB)

B4

(16dB)

B3*

(8dB)

B2

(4dB)

B1

(2dB)

B0

(1dB)

00

0

0

00

10

0

0

01

20

0

0

10

30

0

0

11

40

0

1

00

50

0

1

01

60

0

1

10

70

0

1

11

80

1

0

00

90

1

0

01

10

0

1

01

0

11

0

1

01

1

12

0

1

10

0

13

0

1

10

1

14

0

1

11

0

15

0

1

11

1

16

1

X

0

0

0

17

1

X

0

0

1

18

1

X

0

1

0

19

1

X

0

1

1

20

1

X

1

0

0

21

1

X

1

0

1

22

1

X

1

1

0

23

1

X

1

1

1

*Enabling B4 disables B3.