19-1528; Rev 1; 5/00

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Monolithic Voltage-Controlled Oscillators

General Description Features

MAX2622/MAX2623/MAX2624
The MAX2622/MAX2623/MAX2624 self-contained volt- ♦ Fully Monolithic
age-controlled oscillators (VCOs) combine an integrat-
ed oscillator and output buffer in a miniature 8-pin ♦ Guaranteed Performance
µMAX package. ♦ On-Chip 50Ω Output Match
The inductor and varactor elements of the tank circuits ♦ Wide Choice of Frequencies
are integrated on-chip, greatly simplifying application of
the part. In addition, the center frequency of oscillation 855MHz to 881MHz (MAX2622)
and frequency span are factory preset to provide a 885MHz to 950MHz (MAX2623)
guaranteed frequency range versus control voltage. An 947MHz to 998MHz (MAX2624)
external tuning voltage controls the oscillation frequency. ♦ +2.7V to +5.5V Single-Supply Operation
The output signals are buffered by an amplifier stage
matched on-chip to 50Ω. ♦ Low-Current Shutdown Mode
The MAX2622/MAX2623/MAX2624 operate from a ♦ Smaller than Modules (8-Pin µMAX Package)
+2.7V to +5.5V supply voltage and require only 8mA of
supply current. In shutdown mode, the supply current is
reduced to 0.1µA.
Applications Ordering Information
866MHz to 868MHz European ISM Band PART TEMP. RANGE PIN-PACKAGE
(MAX2622) MAX2622EUA -40°C to +85°C 8 µMAX
DECT 1/2 Frequency LO (MAX2623) MAX2623EUA -40°C to +85°C 8 µMAX
902MHz to 928MHz ISM Band, ±10.7MHz IF MAX2624EUA -40°C to +85°C 8 µMAX
(MAX2623)
902MHz to 928MHz ISM Band, 45MHz to
70MHz IF (MAX2624)

Pin Configuration appears at end of data sheet.

Typical Operating Circuit

N.C.
GND
TUNE
TUNE

OSCILLATOR OUT OUT TO MIXER/

CORE SYNTHESIZER

GND 220pF
VCC

MAX2622
MAX2623 VCC
MAX2624 VCC
SHDN
SHDN BIAS
220pF

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 Monolithic Voltage-Controlled Oscillators

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

MAX2622/MAX2623/MAX2624

VCC to GND ..............................................................-0.3V to +6V Operating Temperature Range ...........................-40°C to +85°C

TUNE, SHDN to GND .................................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V) Junction Temperature ......................................................+150°C
OUT to GND ...............................................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.6V) Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +150°C
Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C) Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) .................................+300°C
8-Pin µMAX (derate 5.7mW/°C above TA = +70°C).....457mW
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.

DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(Typical Operating Circuit, VCC = +2.7V to +5.5V, VTUNE = 1.4V, V SHDN = 2V, OUT = unconnected, TA = -40°C to +85°C, unless
otherwise noted. Typical values are at VCC = +3V, TA = +25°C.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
Supply Voltage 2.7 5.5 V
Supply Current 8 11.5 mA
Shutdown Supply Current V SHDN ≤ 0.6V 0.1 5 µA
SHDN Input Voltage Low 0.6 V
SHDN Input Voltage High 2.0 V
SHDN Input Current Low V SHDN ≤ 0.6V -0.5 0.5 µA
SHDN Input Current High V SHDN ≥ 2.0V -0.5 0.5 µA
TUNE Input Current 0.4V ≤ VTUNE ≤ 2.4V 0.01 nA

AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(Typical Operating Circuit, VCC = +2.7V to +5.5V, VTUNE = 0.4V to 2.4V, V SHDN = 2V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted. Typical
values measured at VCC = +3V.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
MAX2622, VTUNE = 0.4V to 2.4V, TA = -40°C to +85°C 855 881
Oscillator Frequency Range MAX2623, VTUNE = 0.4V to 2.4V, TA = -20°C to +75°C 885 950 MHz
MAX2624, VTUNE = 0.4V to 2.4V, TA = -40°C to +85°C 947 998
fOFFSET = 100kHz -101
Phase Noise dBc/Hz
fOFFSET = 1MHz -119
Noise Floor -151 dBm/Hz
Maximum Tuning Gain (Note 2) VTUNE = 0.4V to 2.4V 75 100 MHz/V
Output Power VTUNE = 0.4V (Note 3) -3 dBm
Return Loss (Note 3) -10 dB
Harmonics -27 dBc
Load Pulling VSWR = 2:1, all phases 0.75 MHzp-p
Supply Pushing VCC stepped from 2.8V to 3.3V 280 kHz/V
Note 1: Specifications are production tested at TA = +25°C. Limits over temperature are guaranteed by design and characterization.
Note 2: Tuning gain is measured at VTUNE = 0.4V with a 0.2V step to 0.6V. At low VTUNE, tuning gain is highest.
Note 3: Measurements taken on MAX262_ EV kit.

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 Monolithic Voltage-Controlled Oscillators

Typical Operating Characteristics

MAX2622/MAX2623/MAX2624
(VCC = +3.0V, VTUNE = 0.4V to 2.4V, V SHDN = 2V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

MAX2622 MAX2623 MAX2624

VCO TUNING CURVE VCO TUNING CURVE VCO TUNING CURVE
1000 1050 1100

MAX2622/23/24-06
MAX2622/23/24-05

MAX2622/23/24-07
950 1000 1050
TA = -40°C
FREQUENCY (MHz)
FREQUENCY (MHz)

FREQUENCY (MHz)
TA = -40°C TA = -40°C
900 TA = +85°C 950 1000
TA = +85°C TA = +85°C
TA = +25°C
TA = +25°C TA = +25°C
850 900 950

800 850 900

750 800 850

0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
VTUNE (V) VTUNE (V) VTUNE (V)

SUPPLY CURRENT SHUTDOWN SUPPLY CURRENT

vs. TEMPERATURE vs. TEMPERATURE
10 2.0

MAX2622/23/24-02
MAX2622/23/24-01

1.5
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)

SUPPLY CURRENT (µA)

1.0

8
0.5

7 0
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
TEMPERATURE (°C) TEMPERATURE (°C)

PHASE NOISE NORMALIZED HARMONIC OUTPUT SPECTRUM

-60
MAX2622-03

MAX2622-04

-70 ∆ = 29dBc

-80 ∆ = -48dBc
PHASE NOISE (dBc)

OUTPUT POWER

-90

-100

-110

-120

-130
10 100 1000 fO 2fO 3fO
OFFSET FREQUENCY (kHz) FREQUENCY

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 Monolithic Voltage-Controlled Oscillators

Pin Description
MAX2622/MAX2623/MAX2624

PIN NAME FUNCTION

1 N.C. No Connection. Not internally connected.

Oscillator Frequency Tuning Voltage Input. High-impedance input with a voltage input range of 0.4V
2 TUNE
(low frequency) to 2.4V (high frequency) adjustment.
Ground Connection for Oscillator and Biasing. Requires a low-inductance connection to the circuit board
3 GND
ground plane.
Shutdown Logic Input. A high-impedance input logic level low disables the device and reduces supply current
4 SHDN
to 0.1µA. A logic level high enables the device.
Output Buffer DC Supply Voltage Connection. Bypass with a 220pF capacitor to GND for best high-
5 VCC
frequency performance.
Bias and Oscillator DC Supply Voltage Connection. Bypass with a 220pF capacitor to GND for low noise
6 VCC
and low spurious content performance from the oscillator.
7 OUT Buffered Oscillator Output
Ground Connection for Output Buffer. Requires a low-inductance connection to the circuit board
8 GND
ground plane.

Detailed Description Applications Information

Oscillator Tune Input
The MAX2622/MAX2623/MAX2624 VCOs are imple- The tuning input is typically connected to the output of
mented as an LC oscillator topology, integrating all of the PLL loop filter. The loop filter is presumed to pro-
the tank components on-chip. This fully monolithic vide an appropriately low-impedance source. It may
approach provides an extremely easy-to-use VCO, incorporate an extra RC filter stage to reduce high-fre-
equivalent to a VCO module. The frequency is con- quency noise and spurious signals. Any excess noise
trolled by a voltage applied to the TUNE pin, which is on the tuning input is directly translated into FM noise,
internally connected to the varactor. The VCO core which can degrade the phase-noise performance of the
uses a differential topology to provide a stable frequen- oscillator. Therefore, it is important to minimize the
cy versus supply voltage and improve the immunity to noise introduced on the tuning input. A simple RC filter
load variations. In addition, there is a buffer amplifier with low corner frequency is needed during testing in
following the oscillator core to provide added isolation order to filter the noise present on the voltage source
from load variations and to boost the output power. driving the tuning line.
Output Buffer Layout Issues
The oscillator signal from the core drives an output Always use controlled impedance lines (microstrip,
buffer amplifier. The amplifier is constructed as a com- coplanar waveguide, etc.) for high-frequency signals.
mon-emitter stage with an integrated on-chip reactive Always place decoupling capacitors as close to the
output match. No external DC blocking capacitor is VCC pins as possible; for long VCC lines, it may be nec-
required, eliminating the need for any external compo- essary to add additional decoupling capacitors located
nents. The output amplifier has its own VCC and GND further from the device. Always provide a low-induc-
pins to minimize load-pulling effects. The amplifier tance path to ground, and keep GND vias as close to
boosts the oscillator signal to a level suitable for driving the device as possible. Thermal reliefs on GND pads
most RF mixers. are not recommended.

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 Monolithic Voltage-Controlled Oscillators

MAX2622/MAX2623/MAX2624
MAX2622
N.C. MAX2623
MAX2624

GND
FROM TUNE
SYNTHESIZER

OSCILLATOR
LOOP FILTER CORE OUT OUT TO MIXER/
SYNTHESIZER

220pF
VCC
GND

VCC

SHDN VCC
SHDN BIAS
220pF

Figure 1. Typical Application Circuit

Pin Configuration
TOP VIEW

N.C. 1 8 GND

TUNE 2 7 OUT
MAX2622
GND 3 MAX2623 6 VCC
MAX2624
SHDN 4 5 VCC

µMAX

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 Monolithic Voltage-Controlled Oscillators

Package Information
MAX2622/MAX2623/MAX2624

8LUMAXD.EPS

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