19-4375; Rev 1; 5/10

KIT
ATION
EVALU BL E
AVAILA
Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
General Description Features

MAX2038
The MAX2038 8-channel variable-gain amplifier (VGA) o 8-Channel Configuration
and programmable octal mixer array is designed for o High Integration for Ultrasound Imaging
high linearity, high dynamic range, and low noise per- Applications
formance targeting ultrasound imaging and Doppler o Pin Compatible with the MAX2037 Ultrasound VGA
applications. Each amplifier features differential inputs VGA Features
and outputs and a total gain range of 42dB (typ). In o Maximum Gain, Gain Range, and Output-Referred
addition, the VGAs offer very low output-referred noise Noise Optimized for Interfacing with 12-Bit ADCs
performance suitable for interfacing with 12-bit ADCs. Maximum Gain of 29.5dB
The MAX2038 VGA is optimized for less than ±0.25dB Total Gain Range of 42dB
absolute gain error to ensure minimal channel-to-chan- 22nV/√Hz Ultra-Low Output-Referred Noise at
5MHz
nel ultrasound beamforming focus error. The device’s
o ±0.25dB Absolute Gain Error
differential outputs are designed to directly drive ultra-
o 120mW Consumption per Channel
sound ADCs through an external passive anti-aliasing
o Switchable Output VGA Clamp Eliminating ADC
filter. A switchable clamp is also provided at each Overdrive
amplifier’s output to limit the output signals, thereby o Fully Differential VGA Outputs for Direct ADC
preventing ADC overdrive or saturation. Drive
Dynamic performance of the device is optimized to o Variable Gain Range Achieves 42dB Dynamic
reduce distortion to support second-harmonic imaging. Range
The device achieves a second-harmonic distortion o -70dBc HD2 at VOUT = 1.5VP-P and fIN = 5MHz
specification of -70dBc at VOUT = 1.5VP-P and fIN = o Two-Tone Ultrasound-Specific* IMD3 of
5MHz and an ultrasound-specific*, two-tone, third-order -52dBc at VOUT = 1.5VP-P and fIN = 5MHz
intermodulation distortion specification of -52dBc at CW Doppler Mixer Features
VOUT = 1.5VP-P and fIN = 5MHz. o Low Mixer Noise of -155dBc/Hz at 1kHz Offset
from 1.25MHz Carrier
The MAX2038 also integrates an octal quadrature mixer
o Serial-Programmable LO Phase Generator for 4, 8,
array and programmable LO phase generators for a 16 LO Quadrature Phase Resolution
complete CW beamforming solution. The LO phase o Optional Individual Channel 4 x fLO LO Input
selection for each channel can be programmed using a Drive Capability
digital serial interface and a single high-frequency clock o 269mW Power Consumption per Channel (Normal
or the LOs for each complex mixer pair can be directly Power Mode) and 226mW Power Consumption
driven using separate 4 x LO clocks. The serial interface per Channel (Low-Power Mode)
is designed to allow multiple devices to be easily daisy
chained to minimize program interface wiring. The LO
phase dividers can be programmed to allow 4, 8, or 16
quadrature phases. The input path of each CW mixer
consists of a selectable lowpass filter for optimal CWD
noise performance. The outputs of the mixers are
summed into I and Q differential current outputs. The Ordering Information
mixers and LO generators are designed to have excep- PART TEMP RANGE PIN-PACKAGE
tionally low noise performance of -155dBc/Hz at 1kHz MAX2038CCQ+D 0°C to +70°C 100 TQFP-EP*
offset from a 1.25MHz carrier.
MAX2038CCQ+TD 0°C to +70°C 100 TQFP-EP*
The MAX2038 operates from a +5.0V power supply,
+Denotes a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
consuming only 120mW/channel in VGA mode and
D = Dry packing.
269mW/channel in normal power CW mode. A low- T = Tape and reel.
power CW mode is also available and consumes only *EP = Exposed pad.
226mW/channel. The device is available in a lead-free
100-pin TQFP package (14mm x 14mm x 1mm) with an
exposed pad. Electrical performance is guaranteed
over a 0°C to +70°C temperature range.
*See the Ultrasound-Specific IMD3 Specification in the
Applications Applications Information section.
Ultrasound Imaging Sonar Pin Configuration appears at end of data sheet.

________________________________________________________________ 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.
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
MAX2038

VCC, VREF to GND .................................................-0.3V to +5.5V CW Mixer LVDS LO Differential Input Voltage..................8.0VP-P
Any Other Pins to GND...............................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V) Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C)
CW Mixer Output Voltage to GND (CW_IOUT+, CW_IOUT-, 100-Pin TQFP (derated 45.5mW/°C above +70°C)...3636.4mW
CW_QOUT+, CW_QOUT-) ................................................13V Operating Temperature Range...............................0°C to +70°C
VGA Differential Input Voltage (VGIN_+, VGIN_-)............8.0VP-P Junction Temperature ......................................................+150°C
Analog Gain Control Differential Input Voltage θJC (Note 1) .....................................................................+2°C/W
(VG_CTL+, VG_CTL-) ..................................................8.0VP-P θJA (Note 1) ...................................................................+22°C/W
CW Mixer Differential Input Voltage Storage Temperature Range .............................-40°C to +150°C
(CWIN_+, CWIN_-).......................................................8.0VP-P Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) .................................+300°C
Soldering Temperature (reflow) .......................................+260°C
Note 1: Package thermal resistances were obtained using the method described in JEDEC specification JESD51-7, using a four-
layer board. For detailed information on package thermal considerations, refer to www.maxim-ic.com/thermal-tutorial.
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—VGA MODE

(Typical Application Circuit, Figure 7. VCC = VREF = 4.75V to 5.25V, VCM = (3/5)VREF, TA = 0°C to +70°C, VGND = 0V, LOW_PWR = 0,
M4_EN = 0, CW_FILTER = 0 or 1, TEST_MODE = 0, PD = 0, CW_VG = 1, CW_M1 = 0, CW_M2 = 0, no RF signals applied, capaci-
tance to GND at each of the VGA differential outputs is 60pF, differential capacitance across the VGA outputs is 10pF,
RL = 1kΩ, CW mixer outputs pulled up to +11V through four separate ±0.1% 115Ω resistors, all CW channels programmed off.
Typical values are at VCC = VREF = 5V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 2)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDTIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
VGA MODE
Supply Voltage Range VCC 4.75 5 5.25 V
VCC External Reference VREF (Note 3) 4.75 5 5.25 V
Refers to VCC supply PD = 0 204 231
Total Power-Supply Current mA
current plus VREF current PD = 1 27 33
VCC Supply Current IVCC 192 216 mA
VREF Current IREF 12 15 mA
Current Consumption per
Refers to VCC supply current 24 27 mA
Amplifier Channel
Differential Analog Control Minimum gain +2
VP-P
Voltage Range Maximum gain -2
Differential Analog Control
VCM 2.85 3 3.15 V
Common-Mode Voltage
Analog Control Input
4.5 5 mA
Source/Sink Current
LOGIC INPUTS
CMOS Input High Voltage VIH 2.3 V
CMOS Input Low Voltage VIL 0.8 V

2 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—CW MIXER MODE

MAX2038
( Typical Application Circuit , Figure 7. V CC = V REF = 4.75V to 5.25V, T A = 0°C to +70°C, V GND = 0V, LOW_PWR = 0,
M4_EN = 0, CW_FILTER = 0 or 1, TEST_MODE = 0, PD = 0, CW_VG = 0, CW_M1 = 0, CW_M2 = 0, no RF signals applied,
capacitance to GND at each of the VGA differential outputs is 60pF, differential capacitance across the VGA outputs is 10pF,
RL = 1kΩ, CW mixer outputs pulled up to +11V through four separate ±0.1% 115Ω resistors. Typical values are at VCC = VREF = 5V,
TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 2)

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDTIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

CW MIXER MODE
Current in Full-Power Mode
ICC_FP Refers to VCC supply current (all 8 channels) 245 265 mA
5V VCC Supply
Current in Full-Power Mode
IMIX_FP Refers to VMIX supply current (all 8 channels) 106 120 mA
11V VMIX Supply
Current in Full-Power Mode
IREF_FP Refers to VREF supply current (all 8 channels) 17 21 mA
5V VREF Supply
Total power dissipation (all 8 channels
Power Dissipation in Full-Power including both 5V (VCC and VREF) and 11V
PDISS_FP 2.15 2.41 W
Mode mixer pullup supply power dissipation in the
device) (Note 4)
Current in Low-Power Mode LOW_PWR = 1; refers to VCC supply current
ICC_LP 245 265 mA
5V VCC Supply (all 8 channels)
Current in Low-Power Mode LOW_PWR = 1; refers to VMIX supply current
IMIX_LP 53 60 mA
11V VMIX Supply (all 8 channels)
Current in Low-Power Mode LOW_PWR = 1; refers to VREF supply current
IREF_LP 17 21 mA
5V VREF Supply (all 8 channels)
LOW_PWR = 1; total power dissipation
Power Dissipation in Low-Power (all 8 channels including both 5V (VCC and
PDISS_LP 1.81 2.06 W
Mode VREF) and 11V mixer pullup supply power
dissipation in the device) (Note 4)
Mixer LVDS LO Input Common- 1.25
Modes 1 and 2 (Note 5) V
Mode Voltage ±0.2
LVDS LO Differential Input
Modes 1 and 2 200 700 mVP-P
Voltage
LVDS LO Input
Per pin 150 200 µA
Common-Mode Current
LVDS LO Differential
Modes 1 and 2 (Note 6) 30 kΩ
Input Resistance
Mixer IF Common-Mode Output Common-mode current in each of the
3.25 3.75 mA
Current differential mixer outputs (Note 7)
DOUT voltage when terminated in DIN
DATA Output High Voltage 4.5 V
(daisy chain) (Note 8)
DOUT voltage when terminated in DIN
DATA Output Low Voltage 0.5 V
(daisy chain) (Note 8)

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 3
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—VGA MODE
MAX2038

(Typical Application Circuit, Figure 7. VCC = VREF = 4.75V to 5.25V, VCM = (3/5)VREF, TA = 0°C to +70°C, VGND = 0V, LOW_PWR = 0,
M4_EN = 0, CW_FILTER = 1, TEST_MODE = 0, PD = 0, CW_VG = 1, CW_M1 = 0, CW_M2 = 0, VG_CLAMP_MODE = 1, fRF = fLO/16
= 5MHz, capacitance to GND at each of the VGA differential outputs is 60pF, differential capacitance across the VGA outputs is
10pF, RL = 1kΩ, CW mixer outputs pulled up to +11V through four separate ±0.1% 115Ω resistors, differential mixer inputs are driven
from a low impedance source. Typical values are at VCC = VREF = 5V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 2)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
CW_VG set from logic 1 to 0 or from 0 to 1
Mode Select Response Time 2 µs
(Note 9)
VGA MODE
Differential output
capacitance is 10pF,
capacitance to GND
VOUT = 1.5VP-P, 18
at each single-ended
Full-Scale Bandwidth f-1.3dB 1.3dB bandwidth, output is 60pF, MHz
gain = 10dB RL = 1kΩ
No capacitive load
29
RL = 1kΩ
VOUT = 1.5mVP-P, 3dB bandwidth,
Small-Signal Bandwidth f-1.3dB 30 MHz
gain = 10dB
Differential Input Resistance RIN 170 200 230 Ω
Input Effective Capacitance CIN fRF = 10MHz, each input to ground 15 pF
Differential Output Resistance ROUT 100 Ω
Maximum Gain +29.5 dB
Minimum Gain -12.5 dB
Gain Range 42 dB
TA = +25°C, full gain range 0% to 100%,
Absolute Gain Error ±0.25 ±1.5 dB
VREF = 5V
VGA Gain Response Time 40dB gain change to within 1dB final value 1 µs
VG_CTL set for maximum gain,
Input-Referred Noise 2 nV/√Hz
no input signal
No input signal 22
VG_CTL set for
Output-Referred Noise VOUT = 1.5VP-P, 1kHz nV/√Hz
+10dB of gain 55
offset
VG_CLAMP_MODE = 1, VG_CTL set for
-70
+10dB of gain, fRF = 5MHz, VOUT = 1.5VP-P
Second Harmonic HD2 dBc
VG_CLAMP_MODE = 1, VG_CTL set for
-55 -65
+10dB of gain, fRF = 10MHz, VOUT = 1.5VP-P

VG_CLT set for +10dB of gain, fRF1 = 5MHz,

Third-Order Intermodulation
IMD3 fRF2 = 5.01MHz, VOUT = 1.5VP-P, -40 -52 dBc
Distortion
VREF = 5V (Note 3)

VOUT = 1VP-P differential, fRF = 10MHz,

Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk -80 dB
VG_CTL set for +10dB of gain
Maximum Output Voltage at VG_CLAMP_MODE = 0, VG_CTL set for VP-P
2.4
Clamp ON +20dB of gain, 350mVP-P differential input differential

4 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—CW MIXER MODE

MAX2038
(Typical Application Circuit, Figure 7. VCC = VREF = 4.75V to 5.25V, TA = 0°C to +70°C, VGND = 0V, LOW_PWR = 0, M4_EN = 0,
CW_FILTER = 1, TEST_MODE = 0, PD = 0, CW_VG = 0, CW_M1 = 0, CW_M2 = 0, VG_CLAMP_MODE = 1, fRF = fLO/16 = 5MHz,
capacitance to GND at each of the VGA differential outputs is 60pF, differential capacitance across the VGA outputs is 10pF, RL =
1kΩ, CW mixer outputs pulled up to +11V through four separate ±0.1% 115Ω resistors, differential mixer inputs are driven from a low
impedance source. Typical values are at VCC = VREF = 5V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 2)

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

Maximum Output Voltage at VG_CLAMP_MODE = 1, VG_CTL set for VP-P
2.8
ClampOFF +20dB of gain, 350mVP-P differential input differential
CW MIXER MODE
Mixer RF Frequency Range 0.9 7.6 MHz
Mixer LO Frequency Range 1 7.5 MHz
Mixer IF Frequency Range 100 kHz
VP-P
Maximum Input Voltage Range 1.8
differential
CW_FILTER = 0 633
Differential Input Resistance Ω
CW_FILTER = 1 1440
Mode 3, fRF = fLO/4 = 1.25MHz, measured at a
6
1kHz offset frequency; clutter tone at 0.9VP-P
Input-Referred Noise Voltage differential measured at the mixer input nV/√Hz
Mode 3, RF terminated into 50Ω; fLO/4 =
4.6
1.25MHz, measured at 1kHz offset
Mode 1, fRF1 = 5MHz at 0.9VP-P differential
Third-Order Intermodulation
IMD3 input, Doppler tone fRF2 = 5.01MHz at 25dBc -50 dBc
Distortion
from clutter tone, fLO/16 = 5MHz (Note 10)
Mixer Output Voltage Compliance (Note 11) 4.75 12 V
Channel-to-Channel Phase Measured under zero beat conditions,
±3.0 Degrees
Matching fRF = 5MHz, fLO/16 = 5MHz (Note 12)
Channel-to-Channel Gain Measured under zero beat conditions,
±2 dB
Matching fRF = 5MHz, fLO/16 = 5MHz (Note 12)
CW_FILTER = 1 fRF = 1.1MHz, 1VP-P 2.8
Transconductance (Note 13) mS
CW_FILTER = 0 differential, fLO/16 = 1MHz 2.8

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 5
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS—CW MIXER MODE (continued)
MAX2038

(Typical Application Circuit, Figure 7. VCC = VREF = 4.75V to 5.25V, TA = 0°C to +70°C, VGND = 0V, LOW_PWR = 0, M4_EN = 0,
CW_FILTER = 1, TEST_MODE = 0, PD = 0, CW_VG = 0, CW_M1 = 0, CW_M2 = 0, VG_CLAMP_MODE = 1, fRF = fLO/16 = 5MHz,
capacitance to GND at each of the VGA differential outputs is 60pF, differential capacitance across the VGA outputs is 10pF, RL =
1kΩ, CW mixer outputs pulled up to +11V through four separate ±0.1% 115Ω resistors, differential mixer inputs are driven from a low
impedance source. Typical values are at VCC = VREF = 5V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 2)

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

SERIAL SHIFT REGISTER
Serial Shift Register
10 MHz
Programming Rate
Minimum Data Set-Up Time tDSU 30 ns
Minimum Data Hold Time tHLD 2 ns
Minimum Data Clock Time tDCLK 100 ns
Minimum Data Clock Pulse Width
tDCLKPWH 30 ns
High
Minimum Data Clock Pulse Width
tDCLKPWL 30 ns
Low
Minimum Load Line tLD 30 ns
Minimum Load Line High to
tMIXCLK 30 ns
Mixer Clock On
Minimum Data Clock to Load
tCLH 30 ns
Line High
Note 2: Specifications at TA = +25°C and TA = +70°C are guaranteed by production test. Specifications at TA = 0°C are guaran-
teed by design and characterization.
Note 3: Noise performance of the device is dependent on the noise contribution from the supply to VREF. Use a low-noise supply for
VREF. VCC and VREF can be connected together to share the same supply voltage if the supply for VCC exhibits low noise.
Note 4: Total on-chip power dissipation is calculated as PDISS = VCC x ICC + VREF x IREF + [11V - (IMIX/4) x 115] x IMIX.
Note 5: Note that the LVDS CWD LO clocks are DC-coupled. This is to ensure immediate synchronization when the clock is first
turned on. An AC-coupled LO is problematic in that the RC time constant associated with the coupling capacitors and the
input impedance of the pin causes there to be a period of time (related to the RC time constant) when the DC level on the
chip side of the capacitor is outside the acceptable common-mode range and the LO swing does not exceed both the
logic thresholds required for proper operation. This problem associated with AC-coupling would cause an inability to
ensure synchronization among beam-forming channels. The LVDS signal is terminated differentially with an external 100Ω
resistor on the board.
Note 6: External 100Ω resistor terminates the LVDS differential signal path.
Note 7: The mixer common-mode current (3.25mA/channel) is specified as the common-mode current in each of the differential
mixer outputs (CW_QOUT+, CW_QOUT-, CW_IOUT+, CW_IOUT-).
Note 8: Specification guaranteed only for DOUT driving DIN of the next device in a daisy-chain fashion.
Note 9: This response time does not include the CW output highpass filter. When switching to VGA mode, the CW outputs stop
drawing current and the output voltage goes to the rail. If a highpass filter is used, the recovery time can be excessive and
a switching network is recommended as shown in the Applications Information section.
Note 10: See the Ultrasound-Specific IMD3 Specification in the Applications Information section.
Note 11: Mixer output-voltage compliance is the range of acceptable voltages allowed on the CW mixer outputs.
Note 12: Channel-to-channel gain-and-phase matching measured on 30 pieces during engineering characterization at room tem-
perature. Each mixer is used as a phase detector and produces a DC voltage in the IQ plane. The phase is given by the
angle of the vector drawn on that plane. Multiple channels from multiple parts are compared to each other to produce the
phase variation.
Note 13: Transconductance is defined as the quadrature summing of the CW differential output current at baseband divided by the
mixer’s input voltage.

6 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer

MAX2038
Typical Operating Characteristics
(Figure 7, VCC = VREF = 4.75V to 5.25V, VGND = 0V, PD = 0V, VG_CLAMP_MODE = 1, fRF = 5MHz, capacitance to GND at each of
the VGA differential outputs is 60pF, differential capacitance across the VGA outputs is 10pF, RL = 1kΩ, TA = 0°C to +70°C. Typical
values are at VCC = VREF = 5V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

OVERDRIVE PHASE DELAY TWO-TONE ULTRASOUND-SPECIFIC

vs. FREQUENCY POWER-SUPPLY MODULATION RATIO IMD3 vs. GAIN
5.0 -40 0
MAX2038 toc01

MAX2038 toc02

MAX2038 toc03
VIN1 = 35mVP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1.5VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL
4.5 VIN2 = 87.5mVP-P DIFFERENTIAL VMOD = 50mVP-P, fCARRIER = 5MHz, -10
4.0 GAIN = 20dB -50
OVERDRIVE PHASE DELAY (ns)

GAIN = 10dB
-20
3.5
-60
-30
PSMR (dBc)

3.0

IMD3 (dBc)
f = 10MHz
2.5 -70 -40
2.0
-50
-80
1.5
-60
1.0 f = 5MHz
-90
0.5 -70 f = 2MHz

0 -100 -80
0 2.5 5.0 7.5 10.0 12.5 15.0 17.5 20.0 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 -15 -5 5 15 25 35
FREQUENCY (MHz) FREQUENCY (kHz) GAIN (dB)

SECOND HARMONIC DISTORTION THIRD HARMONIC DISTORTION

vs. GAIN vs. GAIN
0 0
MAX2038 toc04

MAX2038 toc05
VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL
-10 -10
-20 -20
-30 -30
f = 12MHz f = 12MHz
-40 -40
HD2 (dBc)

HD3 (dBc)

f = 5MHz
-50 -50
-60 -60
-70 -70
f = 5MHz
-80 -80 f = 2MHz
-90 f = 2MHz -90
-100 -100
-15 -5 5 15 25 35 -15 -5 5 15 25 35
GAIN (dB) GAIN (dB)

OVERLOAD RECOVERY TIME OVERLOAD RECOVERY TIME

MAX2038 toc06 MAX2038 toc07

f = 5MHz f = 5MHz
DIFFERENTIAL
DIFFERENTIAL
OUTPUT
OUTPUT
2.0V/div
1.0V/div

DIFFERENTIAL
INPUT
DIFFERENTIAL 2.0V/div
INPUT
1.0V/div
OUTPUT 100mVP-P TO OVERLOAD
AND BACK TO 100mVP-P
OUTPUT 1VP-P TO OVERLOAD AND BACK TO 1VP-P

400ns/div 400ns/div

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 7
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
MAX2038

(Figure 7, VCC = VREF = 4.75V to 5.25V, VGND = 0V, PD = 0, VG_CLAMP_MODE = 1, fRF = 5MHz, capacitance to GND at each of
the VGA differential outputs is 60pF, differential capacitance across the VGA outputs is 10pF, RL = 1kΩ, TA = 0°C to +70°C. Typical
values are at VCC = VREF = 5V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)
CHANNEL-TO-CHANNEL CROSSTALK CHANNEL-TO-CHANNEL CROSSTALK OUTPUT-REFERRED NOISE VOLTAGE
vs. GAIN vs. FREQUENCY vs. GAIN
-60 -30 50

MAX2038 toc10
MAX2038 toc09
MAX2038 toc08

OUTPUT-REFERRED NOISE VOLTAGE (nV/√Hz)

VOUT = 1.5VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL f = 5MHz
-65 f = 10MHz, ADJACENT CHANNELS -40 GAIN = 10dB, ADJACENT CHANNELS
40
-70 -50
CROSSTALK (dB)
CROSSTALK (dB)

-75 -60 30
-80 -70

-80 20
-85

-90 -90
10
-95 -100

-100 -110 0
-15 -5 5 15 25 35 1 10 100 -15 -5 5 15 25 35
GAIN (dB) FREQUENCY (MHz) GAIN (dB)

GAIN vs. DIFFERENTIAL ANALOG LARGE-SIGNAL BANDWIDTH LARGE-SIGNAL BANDWIDTH

CONTROL VOLTAGE (VG_CTL) vs. FREQUENCY vs. FREQUENCY
35 40 30

MAX2038 toc13
MAX2038 toc12
MAX2038 toc11

f = 5MHz VOUT = 1.5VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1.5VP-P DIFFERENTIAL

35 VG_CTL = -2VP-P DIFFERENTIAL 25 VG_CTL = -1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL
25
30 20
15
25 15
GAIN (dB)
GAIN (dB)

GAIN (dB)

5 20 10

15 5
-5
10 0
-15
5 -5

-25 0 -10
-2.5 -1.5 -0.5 0.5 1.5 2.5 0.1 1 10 100 1000 0.1 1 10 100 1000
VG_CTL (VP-P DIFFERENTIAL) FREQUENCY (MHz) FREQUENCY (MHz)

LARGE-SIGNAL BANDWIDTH LARGE-SIGNAL BANDWIDTH LARGE-SIGNAL BANDWIDTH

vs. FREQUENCY vs. FREQUENCY vs. FREQUENCY
20 10 5
MAX2038 toc15
MAX2038 toc14

MAX2038 toc16

VOUT = 1.5VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1.5VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL

15 VG_CTL = +0.6VP-P DIFFERENTIAL 5 VG_CTL = +1.5VP-P 0 VG_CTL = +1.7VP-P DIFFERENTIAL

10 0 -5

5 -5 -10
GAIN (dB)
GAIN (dB)

GAIN (dB)

0 -10 -15

-5 -15 -20

-10 -20 -25

-15 -25 -30

-20 -30 -35

0.1 1 10 100 1000 0.1 1 10 100 1000 0.1 1 10 100 1000
FREQUENCY (MHz) FREQUENCY (MHz) FREQUENCY (MHz)

8 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)

MAX2038
(Figure 7, VCC = VREF = 4.75V to 5.25V, VGND = 0V, PD = 0, VG_CLAMP_MODE = 1, fRF = 5MHz, capacitance to GND at each of
the VGA differential outputs is 60pF, differential capacitance across the VGA outputs is 10pF, RL = 1kΩ, TA = 0°C to +70°C. Typical
values are at VCC = VREF = 5V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)
LARGE-SIGNAL BANDWIDTH HARMONIC DISTORTION HARMONIC DISTORTION
vs. FREQUENCY vs. DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE vs. DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT LOAD RESISTANCE
0 MAX2038 toc17 0 -40

MAX2038 toc18

MAX2038 toc19
VOUT = 0.5VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL
-10 -45
-5 VG_CTL = +2VP-P DIFFERENTIAL f = 5MHz, GAIN = 10dB f = 5MHz, GAIN = 10dB
-50
-20
HARMONIC DISTORTION (dBc)

HARMONIC DISTORTION (dBc)

-10 -55
-30 THIRD HARMONIC
THIRD HARMONIC -60
-15 -40 -65
GAIN (dB)

-20 -50 -70

-60 -75
-25 SECOND HARMONIC
-80
-70
-30 -85
-80 SECOND HARMONIC
-90
-35 -90 -95
-40 -100 -100
0.1 1 10 100 1000 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 200 500 800 1100 1400 1700 2000
FREQUENCY (MHz) DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE (VP-P) DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT LOAD (Ω)

HARMONIC DISTORTION HARMONIC DISTORTION TWO-TONE ULTRASOUND-SPECIFIC IMD3

vs. DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT LOAD CAPACITANCE vs. FREQUENCY vs. FREQUENCY
-40 0 0
MAX2038 toc21

MAX2038 toc22
MAX2038 toc20

VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL VOUT = 1VP-P DIFFERENTIAL

-45 -10 GAIN = 10dB
f = 5MHz, GAIN = 10dB -10 GAIN = 10dB
-50 -20
HARMONIC DISTORTION (dBc)
HARMONIC DISTORTION (dBc)

-55
THIRD HARMONIC -30 -20
-60 THIRD HARMONIC
IMD3 (dBc)

-65 -40
-30
-70 -50
-75 -60 -40
SECOND HARMONIC
-80 -70 SECOND HARMONIC -50
-85
-80
-90 -60
-95 -90
-100 -100 -70
5 25 45 65 85 105 0 10 20 30 40 50 0 5 10 15 20 25
DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT LOAD (pF) FREQUENCY (MHz) FREQUENCY (MHz)

OUTPUT COMMON-MODE OFFSET VOLTAGE DIFFERENTIAL OUTPUT IMPEDANCE

GAIN ERROR HISTOGRAM vs. GAIN MAGNITUDE vs. FREQUENCY
50 20 200
MAX2038 toc23

MAX2038 toc25
MAX2038 toc24

SAMPLE SIZE = 202 UNITS,

45 fIN_ = 5MHz, GAIN = 10dB 15 180
40
10
OFFSET VOLTAGE (mV)

35 160
5
% OF UNITS

30 140
|ZOUT|

25 0
20 120
-5
15 100
-10
10
-15 80
5
0 -20 60
-0.40
-0.35
-0.30
-0.25
-0.20
-0.15
-0.10
-0.05
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40

-15 -5 5 15 25 35 0.1 1 10 100

GAIN ERROR (dB) GAIN (dB) FREQUENCY (MHz)

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 9
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)
MAX2038

(Figure 7, VCC = VREF = 4.75V to 5.25V, VGND = 0V, LOW_PWR = 0, M4_EN = 0, CW_FILTER = 1, TEST_MODE = 0, PD = 0, CW_VG
= 0, CW_M1 = 0, CW_M2 = 0, CW mixer outputs pulled up to 11V through four separate ±0.1% 115Ω resistors, differential mixer
inputs are driven from a low-impedance source.)

CW FILTER RESPONSE CW FILTER RESPONSE

(CW_FILTER = 1) (CW_FILTER = 0)
4 5

MAX2038 toc26

MAX2038 toc27
2
0
0
-5
-2
LOSS (dB)

LOSS (dB)
-4 -10

-6 -15
-8
-20
-10
-25
-12

-14 -30
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
FREQUENCY (MHz) FREQUENCY (MHz)

CW IMD3 vs. FREQUENCY INPUT-REFERRED NOISE vs. CLUTTER VOLTAGE

(MODE 1, VRF = 900mVP-P DIFF, VCC = VREF) (MODE 4, F_CLUTTER = 1.25MHz AT 1kHz OFFSET)
-46 14
MAX2038 toc28

MAX2038 toc29
-47 12
INPUT-REFERRED NOISE (nV/√Hz)

-48
10
CW IMD3 (dBc)

-49
8
-50
6
-51
4
-52
4.75
-53 5.00 2
5.25
-54 0
0 2 4 6 8 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
FREQUENCY (MHz) CLUTTER VOLTAGE (VP-P DIFF)

10 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Pin Description

MAX2038
PIN NAME FUNCTION
1 CWIN2- CW Mixer Channel 2 Inverting Differential Input
2 CWIN2+ CW Mixer Channel 2 Noninverting Differential Input
3 VGIN3- VGA Channel 3 Inverting Differential Input
4 VGIN3+ VGA Channel 3 Noninverting Differential Input
5, 10, 19,
24, 29, 34,
GND Ground
58, 79,
81, 96
6 CWIN3- CW Mixer Channel 3 Inverting Differential Input
7 CWIN3+ CW Mixer Channel 3 Noninverting Differential Input
8 VGIN4- VGA Channel 4 Inverting Differential Input
9 VGIN4+ VGA Channel 4 Noninverting Differential Input
11 CWIN4- CW Mixer Channel 4 Inverting Differential Input
12 CWIN4+ CW Mixer Channel 4 Noninverting Differential Input
External Compensation. Connect a 4.7μF capacitor to ground as close as possible to the pin to
13 EXT_C1
bypass the internal biasing circuitry.
External Compensation. Connect a 4.7μF capacitor to ground as close as possible to the pin to
14 EXT_C2
bypass the internal biasing circuitry.
External Compensation. Connect a 4.7μF capacitor to ground as close as possible to the pin to
15 EXT_C3
bypass the internal biasing circuitry.
16, 42, 46,
5V Power Supply. Connect to an external +5V power supply. Bypass each VCC supply to ground
54, 72, VCC
with 0.1μF capacitors as close as possible to the pins.
82, 87
17 VGIN5- VGA Channel 5 Inverting Differential Input
18 VGIN5+ VGA Channel 5 Noninverting Differential Input
20 CWIN5- CW Mixer Channel 5 Inverting Differential Input
21 CWIN5+ CW Mixer Channel 5 Noninverting Differential Input
22 VGIN6- VGA Channel 6 Inverting Differential Input
23 VGIN6+ VGA Channel 6 Noninverting Differential Input
25 CWIN6- CW Mixer Channel 6 Inverting Differential Input
26 CWIN6+ CW Mixer Channel 6 Noninverting Differential Input
27 VGIN7- VGA Channel 7 Inverting Differential Input
28 VGIN7+ VGA Channel 7 Noninverting Differential Input
30 CWIN7- CW Mixer Channel 7 Inverting Differential Input
31 CWIN7+ CW Mixer Channel 7 Noninverting Differential Input
32 VGIN8- VGA Channel 8 Inverting Differential Input
33 VGIN8+ VGA Channel 8 Noninverting Differential Input
35 CWIN8- CW Mixer Channel 8 Inverting Differential Input
36 CWIN8+ CW Mixer Channel 8 Noninverting Differential Input

______________________________________________________________________________________ 11
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Pin Description (continued)
MAX2038

PIN NAME FUNCTION

+5V Reference Supply. Connect to a low-noise power supply. Bypass to GND with a 0.1µF capacitor
as close as possible to the pins. Note that noise performance of the device is dependent on the noise
37, 93 VREF
contribution from the supply to VREF. Use a low-noise supply for VREF. VCC and VREF can be
connected together to share the same supply voltage if the supply for VCC exhibits low noise.

External Resistor. Connect a 0.1% 7.5kΩ resistor to ground as close as possible to the pin to set the
38 EXT_RES
bias for the internal biasing circuitry.
CW Mixer VGA Enable. Selects for VGA or CW mixer operation. Set CW_VG to a logic-high to enable
39 CW_VG the VGAs while the CW mixers are powered down. Set CW_VG to a logic-low to enable the CW mixers
while the VGAs are powered down.
Power-Down Switch. Drive PD high to set the device in power-down mode. Drive PD low for normal
40 PD
operation.
CW Filter Mode Corner Frequency Select. Selects in corner frequency of the internal lowpass filter for
41 CW_FILTER the CW path. Set CW_FILTER to a logic-high for a corner frequency of 9.5MHz. Set CW_FILTER to a
logic-low for a corner frequency of 4.5MHz.
Mode 4 Enable. Set M4_EN to a logic-high to override the serial port and activate all 8 channels of the
43 M4_EN
CW path.
44 LOW_PWR Low-Power Enable. Set high to enable low-power CW mixer mode for the device.
Serial Port Data Output. Data output for ease of daisy-chaining CW channels for analog beamforming
45 DOUT
programming.
No Connect. Leave this pin unconnected (this pin is the TEST_MODE pin called out in the MAX2038
47 N.C.
EV kit data sheet).
48 LO8 CW LO Input for Channel 8. LO clock input for modes 3 and 4.
49 VGOUT8+ VGA Channel 8 Noninverting Differential Output
50 VGOUT8- VGA Channel 8 Inverting Differential Output
51 LO7 CW LO Input for Channel 7. LO clock input for modes 3 and 4.
52 VGOUT7+ VGA Channel 7 Noninverting Differential Output
53 VGOUT7- VGA Channel 7 Inverting Differential Output
55 LO6 CW LO Input for Channel 6. LO clock input for modes 3 and 4.
56 VGOUT6+ VGA Channel 6 Noninverting Differential Output
57 VGOUT6- VGA Channel 6 Inverting Differential Output
59 LO5 CW LO Input for Channel 5. LO clock input for modes 3 and 4.
60 VGOUT5+ VGA Channel 5 Noninverting Differential Output
61 VGOUT5- VGA Channel 5 Inverting Differential Output
62 VG_CTL- VGA Analog Gain Control Differential Input. Set the differential voltage to -2V for maximum gain
63 VG_CTL+ (+29.5dB), and to +2V for minimum gain (-12.5dB).
64 LO_LVDS- CW LVDS LO Inverting Differential Input. LO clock inverting input for modes 1 and 2.
65 LO_LVDS+ CW LVDS LO Noninverting Differential Input. LO clock noninverting input for modes 1 and 2.
66 LO4 CW LO Input for Channel 4. LO clock input for modes 3 and 4.
67 VGOUT4+ VGA Channel 4 Noninverting Differential Output
68 VGOUT4- VGA Channel 4 Inverting Differential Output
69 LO3 CW LO Input for Channel 3. LO clock input for modes 3 and 4.

12 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Pin Description (continued)

MAX2038
PIN NAME FUNCTION
70 VGOUT3+ VGA Channel 3 Noninverting Differential Output
71 VGOUT3- VGA Channel 3 Inverting Differential Output
73 LO2 CW LO Input for Channel 2. LO clock input for modes 3 and 4.
74 VGOUT2+ VGA Channel 2 Noninverting Differential Output
75 VGOUT2- VGA Channel 2 Inverting Differential Output
76 LO1 CW LO Input for Channel 1. LO clock input for modes 3 and 4.
77 VGOUT1+ VGA Channel 1 Noninverting Differential Output
78 VGOUT1- VGA Channel 1 Inverting Differential Output
80 DIN Serial Port Data Input. Data input to program the serial shift registers.
83 CLK Serial Port Data Clock. Clock input for programming the serial shift registers.
CW Mode Select Input 1. Input for programming beamforming mode 1, 2, 3, or 4. See Table 1 for
84 CW_M1
mode programming details.
CW Mode Select Input 2. Input for programming beamforming mode 1, 2, 3, or 4. See Table 1 for
85 CW_M2
mode programming details.
VG_CLAMP_ VGA Clamp Mode Enable. Drive VG_CLAMP_MODE low to enable VGA clamp mode. VGA output is
86
MODE clamped at typically 2.4VP-P differential. Drive VG_CLAMP_MODE high to disable VGA clamp mode.
Serial Port Load. Loads the data from the serial shift registers into the I/Q phase dividers. Pull LOAD
88 LOAD
bus from high to low and from low to high for programming the I/Q phase dividers.
CW Mixer Noninverting Differential Quadrature Output. CW Mixer output for eight quadrature mixers
89 CW_QOUT+
combined.
CW Mixer Inverting Differential Quadrature Output. CW mixer output for eight quadrature mixers
90 CW_QOUT-
combined.
91 CW_IOUT- CW Mixer Inverting Differential In-Phase Output. CW mixer output for eight in-phase mixers combined.
CW Mixer Noninverting Differential In-Phase Output. CW Mixer output for eight in-phase mixers
92 CW_IOUT+
combined.
94 VGIN1- VGA Channel 1 Inverting Differential Input
95 VGIN1+ VGA Channel 1 Noninverting Differential Input
97 CWIN1- CW Mixer Channel 1 Inverting Differential Input
98 CWIN1+ CW Mixer Channel 1 Noninverting Differential Input
99 VGIN2- VGA Channel 2 Inverting Differential Input
100 VGIN2+ VGA Channel 2 Noninverting Differential Input
Exposed Pad. Internally connected to GND. Connect EP to a large PCB ground plane to maximize
— EP
thermal performance.

______________________________________________________________________________________ 13
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Detailed Description High-Level Wave Mixer and
MAX2038

The MAX2038 is an 8-channel VGA integrated with a Programmable Beamformer

programmable octal quadrature mixer array designed
for ultrasound imaging and Doppler applications. The
_Functional Diagram
device is optimized for efficient power consumption,
high dynamic range, and for exceptionally low noise +5V +5V (LOW NOISE)
performance. The VGA path features differential inputs,
analog variable gain control, differential outputs for VCC VREF
direct ADC drive, and a selectable output voltage
clamp to avoid ADC overdrive. The integrated octal
quadrature mixer array includes serial programmable VG_CTL+ MAX2038 VG_CLAMP_MODE
LO phase generators for CWD beamforming applica- VG_CTL-
tions. The LO phase dividers can be programmed for 4, 50Ω
8, or 16 quadrature phases. Lowpass filters are inte- VGIN1+ VGOUT1+
VGA
grated at the input paths of each CW mixer. The out- VGIN1- VGOUT1-
50Ω
puts for the mixers are summed into single I/Q •
•
•
•
• •
• •
•
•
•
•
• • • • • •
differential current outputs.
50Ω
The MAX2038 also integrates an octal quadrature mixer VGIN8+ VGOUT8+
VGA
array and programmable LO phase generators for a VGIN8- VGOUT8-
complete continuous wave (CW) Doppler beamforming 50Ω
solution. The LO phase selection for each channel is LOW_PWR
programmed using a digital serial interface and a sin- PD
gle high-frequency clock, or the LOs for each complex
mixer pair can be directly driven using separate 4 x LO CWIN1+ CW_IOUT+
clocks. The serial interface is designed to allow multiple
devices to be easily daisy chained in order to minimize I&Q CW_IOUT-
program interface wiring. The LO phase dividers can
be programmed to allow 4, 8, or 16 quadrature phases. CWIN1-
The input path of each CW mixer consists of a selec- •
•
• • • • • • • • •
table lowpass filter for optimal CWD noise performance. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

The outputs of the mixers are summed into single I and

Q differential current outputs. The mixers and LO gen- CWIN8+
erators are designed to have exceptionally low noise
performance of -155dBc/Hz at 1kHz offset from a I&Q
CW_QOUT+
1.25MHz carrier, measured with 900mVP-P differential
clutter signal. CWIN8-
CW_QOUT-

Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA)

CW_VG
The MAX2038’s VGAs are optimized for high linearity,
high dynamic range, and low output-noise performance, CW_FILTER
making this component ideal for ultrasound imaging
applications. The VGA paths also exhibit a channel-to- GND
channel crosstalk of -80dB at 10MHz and an absolute
gain error of less than ±0.25dB for minimal channel-to-
channel focusing error in an ultrasound system. Each
The VGA has an adjustable gain range from -12.5dB to
VGA path includes circuitry for adjusting analog gain, an
+29.5dB, achieving a total dynamic range of 42dB
output buffer with differential output ports (VGOUT_+,
(typ). The VGA gain can be adjusted through the differ-
VGOUT_-) for driving ADCs, and differential input ports
ential gain control inputs VG_CTL+ and VG_CTL-. Set
(VGIN_+, VGIN_-), which are ideal for directly interfac-
the differential gain-control input voltage at +2V for min-
ing to the MAX2034 quad LNA. See the High-Level
imum gain and -2V for maximum gain. The differential
Wave Mixer and Programmable Beamformer Functional analog control common-mode voltage is 3V (typ).
Diagram for details.

14 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
VGA Clamp Octal Continuous Wave (CW) Mixer

MAX2038
A clamp is provided to limit the VGA output signals to The MAX2038 CW mixers are designed using an active
avoid overdriving the ADC or to prevent ADC satura- double-balanced topology. The mixers achieve high
tion. Set VG_CLAMP_MODE low to clamp the VGA dif- dynamic range and high linearity performance, with
ferential outputs at 2.4VP-P. Set the VG_CLAMP_MODE exceptionally low noise, which is ideal for ultrasound
high to disable the clamp. CWD signal reception. The octal quadrature mixer
array provides noise performance of -155dBc/Hz at
Power-Down 1kHz from a 1.25MHz carrier, and a two-tone third-
The device can also be powered down with PD. Set PD order ultrasound specific intermodulation product of
to logic-high for power-down mode. In power-down typically -50dBc. See the Ultrasound-Specific IMD3
mode, the device draws a total supply current of 27mA. Specification in the Applications Information section.
Set PD to a logic-low for normal operation.
The octal array exhibits quadrature and in-phase differ-
Overload Recovery ential current outputs (CW_QOUT+, CW_QOUT-,
The device is also optimized for quick overload recovery CW_IOUT+, CW_IOUT-) to produce the total CWD
for operation under the large input-signal conditions that beamformed signal. The maximum differential current
are typically found in ultrasound input buffer imaging output is typically 3mAP-P and the mixer output-compli-
applications. See the Typical Operating Characteristics ance voltage ranges from 4.75V to 12V.
for an illustration of the rapid recovery time from a trans-
mit-related overload.

High-Level CW Mixer and Programmable

Beamformer Functional Diagram
VCC VREF CW_FILTER M4_EN

CWIN8
•
• •
• MAX2038
• •
CW_IOUT+
CWIN2
CW_IOUT-
CW_IOUT2+ CW_QOUT-
•
• •
•

•
• •
•

CWIN1
CW_QOUT+
•
•

•
•

CW_QOUT2-

I Q I Q I Q
LO1

LO_LVDS+ CHANNEL 1 CHANNEL 2 CHANNEL 8

LO2
I/Q I/Q I/Q
•
• •
•

•
• •
•

LO_LVDS- DIVIDER DIVIDER DIVIDER

•
•
•

•
•

PHASE PHASE PHASE •

•
LOAD SELECTOR SELECTOR SELECTOR
LO8
5 5 5

5-BIT 5-BIT 5-BIT

DIN
•
•
•

•
•
•

SR SR SR DOUT
CLK

CW_M1 CW_M2 GND LOW_PWR PD

______________________________________________________________________________________ 15
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
CW Mixer Output Summation register, which is used to program the output phase of
MAX2038

The outputs from the octal mixer array are summed the divide-by-16 circuit. The first 4 bits of the shift regis-
internally to produce the total CWD summed beam- ter are for programming the 16 phases, the fifth bit
formed signal. The octal array produces eight differen- turns each channel on/off individually. For mode 1, set
tial quadrature (Q) outputs and eight differential both CW_M1 and CW_M2 to a logic-low.
in-phase (I) outputs. All quadrature and in-phase out-
puts are summed into single I and Q differential current Table 2. Mode 1 Logic Table (B4 = 0:
outputs (CW_QOUT+, CW_QOUT-, CW_IOUT+, Channel On/B4 = 1: Channel Off)
CW_IOUT-).
MODE 1
LO Phase Select CW_M1 = 0 MSB LSB SHUTDOWN
The LO phase dividers can be programmed through the CW_M2 = 0
shift registers to allow for 4, 8, or 16 quadrature phases D C B A SD
PHASE
for a complete CW beamforming solution.
(DEG) (B0) (B1) (B2) (B3) (B4)
CWD Beamforming Modes 0 0 0 0 0 0/1
There are four separate modes of operating the CWD
22.5 0 0 0 1 0/1
beamformer. See Table 1 for a summary of the different
modes of operation. The mode of operation can be 45 0 0 1 0 0/1
selected by the CW_M1 and CW_M2 logic inputs. Phase 67.5 0 0 1 1 0/1
generation is controlled through the serial interface. See 90 0 1 0 0 0/1
the Serial Interface section in the Applications 112.5 0 1 0 1 0/1
Information section for details on how to program for dif-
ferent quadrature phases. 135 0 1 1 0 0/1
157.5 0 1 1 1 0/1
Mode 1 180 1 0 0 0 0/1
For mode 1 operation, the LO_LVDS input frequency is
typically 16 x fLO. As the CWD LO frequency range is 202.5 1 0 0 1 0/1
1MHz to 7.5MHz, the input frequency ranges from 225 1 0 1 0 0/1
16MHz to 120MHz. This high LO clock frequency 247.5 1 0 1 1 0/1
requires a differential LVDS input. The 16 x fLO input is 270 1 1 0 0 0/1
then divided by 16 to produce 16 phases. These 16
292.5 1 1 0 1 0/1
phases are generated for each of the 8 channels and
programmed for the selected phase by a serial shift 315 1 1 1 0 0/1
register. Each channel has a corresponding 5-bit shift 337.5 1 1 1 1 0/1

Table 1. Summary of CWD Beamforming Methods

PROGRAM
NO. OF NO. OF NO. OF
BY SERIAL
LO INPUT CLOCK PHASE CLOCK USEFUL DON’T-
CW_M1 CW_M2 MODE SHIFT
FREQUENCY INTERFACE RESOLUTION INPUTS BITS IN CARE BITS
REGISTER
PER CHIP SSR IN SSR
(SSR)
0 0 1 16 x LVDS 16 phases 1 Yes 4 0
0 1 2 8x LVDS 8 phases 1 Yes 3 1 MSB
1 0 3 4x 3V CMOS 4 phases 8 Yes 2 2 MSBs
Quadrature
1 1 4 4x 3V CMOS 8 No N/A N/A
provided

N/A = Not applicable.

16 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Mode 2

MAX2038
Table 4. Mode 3 Logic Table (DC = Don’t
The LO_LVDS input frequency is 8 x fLO (typ) for mode
2 operation. The CWD LO frequency range is 1MHz to Care, B4 = 0: Channel On/B4 = 1: Channel
7.5MHz, and the input frequency ranges from 8MHz to Off)
60MHz. This high LO clock frequency requires a differ-
ential LVDS input. The 8 x fLO input is then divided by 8 MODE 3
to produce 8 phases. These 8 phases are generated CW_M1 = 1 MSB LSB SHUTDOWN
for each of the 8 channels and programmed for the CW_M2 = 0
selected phase by the serial shift register. Note that the PHASE D C B A SD
serial shift register is common to modes 1, 2, 3, and (DEG) (B0) (B1) (B2) (B3) (B4)
where each channel has a corresponding 5-bit shift 0 DC DC 0 0 0/1
register, which is used to program the output phase.
90 DC DC 0 1 0/1
However, since mode 2 generates 8 phases only, 3 of
the 4 phase-programming bits are used; 5 bits are still 180 DC DC 1 0 0/1
loaded per channel using the serial shift register, but 270 DC DC 1 1 0/1
the phase-programming MSB is a don’t-care bit. The
fifth bit in the shift register always turns each channel programmed for the selected phase by the serial shift
on/off individually. For mode 2, set CW_M1 to a logic- register. For mode 3, 4 phases are generated, and only
low and set CW_M2 to a logic-high. See Table 3. 2 of the 4 phase-programming bits are required where
the 2-phase programming MSBs are “don’t-care” bits.
Table 3. Mode 2 Logic Table (DC = Don’t For mode 3, set CW_M1 to a logic-high and set CW_M2
Care, B4 = 0: Channel On/B4 = 1: Channel to a logic-low. See Table 4.
Off) Mode 4
The LO_LVDS input is not used in this mode. The
MODE 2
CW_M1 = 0
appropriate phases are externally provided using sepa-
MSB LSB SHUTDOWN
rate 4 x fLO LO1–LO8 inputs for each channel. A 4 x fLO
CW_M2 = 1
input is required so the device can internally generate
PHASE D C B A SD accurate duty-cycle independent quadrature LO drives.
(DEG) (B0) (B1) (B2) (B3) (B4) Note that the serial shift register is not used in this
0 DC 0 0 0 0/1
mode. The CWD LO frequency range is 1MHz to
7.5MHz and the input frequency ranges from 4MHz to
45 DC 0 0 1 0/1 30MHz. The appropriate inputs are provided at LO1 to
90 DC 0 1 0 0/1 LO8. A reset line is provided to the customer so that
135 DC 0 1 1 0/1 they can synchronize all the CWD channels. The reset
180 DC 1 0 0 0/1
line is implemented through the RESET. For mode 4, set
both CW_M1 and CW_M2 to logic-high. See Table 5.
225 DC 1 0 1 0/1
270 DC 1 1 0 0/1 Table 5. Mode 4 Logic Table
315 DC 1 1 1 0/1
MODE 4
Mode 3 CW_M1 = 1 MSB LSB SHUTDOWN
The LO_LVDS input is not used in this mode. Separate CW_M2 = 1
4 x fLO clock inputs are provided using LO1–LO8 for PHASE D C B A SD
each channel. The CWD LO frequency range is 1MHz (DEG) (B0) (B1) (B2) (B3) (B4)
to 7.5MHz, and the input frequency provides ranges Serial bus
from 4MHz to 30MHz. Note that the LO clock frequency not used in N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
can utilize 3V CMOS inputs. The 4 x f LO LO1–LO8 mode 4
inputs are divided by 4 to produce 4 phases. These
4 phases are generated for each of the 8 channels and N/A = Not applicable.

______________________________________________________________________________________ 17
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
MAX2038

CHANNEL 1 CHANNEL 2 CHANNEL 3 CHANNEL 4

A B C D SD A B C D SD A B C D SD A B C D SD

DATA_IN
B3 B2 B1 B0 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 B4
CLOCK

CHANNEL 5 CHANNEL 6 CHANNEL 7 CHANNEL 8

A B C D SD A B C D SD A B C D SD A B C D SD

DATA_OUT
B3 B2 B1 B0 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 B4

Figure 1. Data Flow of Serial Shift Register

Synchronization mixer array is enabled while the VGA path is powered

Figure 1 illustrates the serial programming of the 8 indi- down (CW mode). During VGA mode, besides powering
vidual channels through the serial data port. Note that down the CW mixer array, the differential inputs to the
the serial data can be daisy chained from one part to lowpass filters and CW mixers also are internally discon-
another, allowing a single data line to be used to pro- nected from the input nodes, making the CW differential
gram multiple chips in the system. inputs (CWIN_+, CWIN_-) high impedance. The CW
mode disconnects the VGA inputs internally from the
CW Lowpass Filter input ports of the device. For VGA mode, set CW_VG to a
The MAX2038 also includes selectable lowpass filters logic-high, while for CW mode, set CW_VG to a logic-low.
between each CW differential input pair and corre-
sponding mixer input. Shunt capacitors and resistors Power-Down and Low-Power Modes
are integrated on chip for high band and low band. The During device power-down, both the VGA and CW
parallel capacitor/resistor networks, which appear differ- mixer are disabled regardless of the logic set at
entially across each of the CW differential inputs, are CW_VG. Both the VGA and CW mixer inputs are high
selectable through the CW_FILTER. Drive CW_FILTER impedance since the internal switches to the inputs are
high to set the corner frequency of the filter to be fC = all disconnected. The total supply current of the device
9.5MHz. Drive CW_FILTER low to set the corner fre- reduces to 27mA. Set PD to a logic-high for device
quency equal to fC = 4.5MHz. The CW_VG allows the fil- power-down.
ter inputs to be disconnected from input nodes (internal A low-power mode is available to lower the required
to chip) to prevent overloading the LNA output and to power for CWD operation. When selected, the complex
not change the VGA input common-mode voltage. mixers operate at lower quiescent currents and the total
VGA and CW Mixer Operation per-channel current is lowered to 53mA. Note that oper-
During normal operation, the MAX2038 is configured ation in this mode slightly reduces the dynamic perfor-
such that either the VGA path is enabled while the mixer mance of the device. Table 6 shows the logic function
array is powered down (VGA mode), or the quadrature of standard operating modes.

Table 6. Logic Function of Standard Operating Modes

INTERNAL INTERNAL 5V VCC CURRENT 11V VMIX CURRENT
PD CW_VG CW
LOW_PWR VGA SWITCH SWITCH TO LPF CONSUMPTION CONSUMPTION
INPUT INPUT MIXER
TO VGA AND CW MIXER (mA) (mA)
1 1 N/A Off Off Off Off 27 0
1 0 N/A Off Off Off Off 27 0
0 0 0 Off On Off On 245 106
0 0 1 Off On Off On 245 53
0 1 N/A On Off On Off 204 0
N/A = Not applicable.

18 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Applications Information The highpass pole in this case is at fP = 1/(2 x pi x RC)

MAX2038
~ 5Hz. Note that this low highpass corner frequency is
Mode Select Response Time required in order to filter the downconverted clutter tone,
The mode select response time is the time that the which appears at DC, without interfering with CWD imag-
device takes to switch between CW and VGA modes. ing at frequencies as low as 400Hz. For example, if one
One possible approach to interfacing the CW outputs to wanted to use CWD down to 400Hz, then a good choice
an instrumentation amplifier used to drive an ADC is for the highpass pole would be at least a decade below
shown in Figure 2. In this implementation, there are four this (< 40Hz) as not to incur rolloff due to pole. Remember,
large-value (in the range of 470nF to 1µF) capacitors if the highpass pole is put at 400Hz, the response is 3dB
between each of the CW_IOUT+, CW_IOUT-, down at that corner frequency. The placement of the high-
CW_QOUT+, CW_QOUT- outputs and the circuitry they pass pole at 5Hz in the above example is between the DC
are driving. The output of the CW mixer usually drives and 40Hz limitations just discussed.
the input of an instrumentation amplifier made up of op The bottom line is that any reasonably sized DC block
amps whose input impedance is set by common-mode between the output of the mixer and the instrumentation
setting resistors. amplifier will pose a significant time constant that slows
the mode select switching speed.
An alternative solution to the approach in Figure 2,
115Ω 115Ω which enables faster mode select response time, is
1μF shown in Figure 4.

CW_IOUT- 50Ω 31.6kΩ

0.022μF +11V

31.6kΩ
CW_IOUT+

1μF

Figure 2. Typical Example of a CW Mixer’s Output Circuit

There are clearly both a highpass corner and a lowpass
corner present in this output network. The lowpass cor-
ner is set primarily by the 115Ω mixer pullup resistors,
the series 50Ω resistors, and the shunt 0.022µF capaci-
tor. This lowpass corner is used to filter a combination
of LO leakage and upper sideband. The highpass cor-
ner, however, is of a larger concern due to the fact that
it is dominated by the combination of a 1µF DC-block- +5V
ing capacitor and the pair of shunt 31.6kΩ resistors.
If drawn, the simplified dominant highpass network Figure 4. Improved Mode Select Response Time Achieved with
would look like Figure 3. DC-Coupled Input to Instrumentation Amplifier

In Figure 4, the outputs of the CWD mixers are DC-

1μF coupled into the inputs of the instrumentation ampli-
fiers. Therefore, the op amps must be able to accom-
modate the full compliance range of the mixer outputs,
which is a maximum of 11V when the mixers are dis-
31.6kΩ abled, down to the 5V supply of the MAX2038 when the
mixers are enabled. The op amps can be powered from
11V for the high rail and 5V for the low rail, requiring a
6V op amp.
Figure 3. Simplified Circuit of Highpass Pole

______________________________________________________________________________________ 19
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Serial Interface The serial interface is designed to allow multiple
MAX2038

The serial interface of the MAX2038 programs the LO for devices to be easily daisy chained in order to minimize
16, 8, or 4 quadrature phases using a serial shift register program interface wiring. DOUT is available for this
implementation. Data is shifted into the device on DIN. daisy-chain function.
The serial shift register clock is applied to the CLK input.
The serial shift register has 5 bits per channel. The first 4 Programming the Beamformer
bits are for phase programming, and the fifth bit enables During normal CWD operation, the mixer clock at LO_ or
or disables each channel of the mixer array. LO_LVDS+/- is on and the programming signals on DIN,
CLK, and LOAD are off. (LOAD = high, CLK = low, and
Each mixer can be programmed to 1 of 16 phases; DIN = don’t care, but fixed to a high or low). To start the
therefore, 4 bits are required for each channel for pro- programming sequence, turn off the mixer clock. Data is
gramming. The master high-frequency mixer clock is shifted into the shift register at a recommended 10MHz
applied to differential inputs LO_LVDS+ and LO_LVDS- programming rate or 100ns minimum data clock
(for modes 1 and 2) and LO_ (for modes 3 and 4). The period/time. See Figure 5 for timing details.
LOAD input is provided to allow the user to load the
phase counters with the programming values to gener- After the shift registers are programmed, pull the LOAD
ate the correct LO phases. The input signals for mixing bus to logic-low and then back to logic-high to load the
are applied to the eight differential inputs, CWIN_+ and internal counters into I/Q phase divider/selectors with
CWIN_-. The summed I/Q baseband differential outputs the proper values. LOAD must remain low for a mini-
are provided on CW_IOUT+/- and CW_QOUT+/-. mum time of tCLH. The user turns on the mixer clock to
CW_M1 and CW_M2 are used to select one of the four start beamforming. The clock must turn on such that it
possible modes of operation. See Table 1. starts at the beginning of a mixer clock cycle.

tDSU tHLD
tCLH

DIN

CLK

LOAD tDCLKPWH tDCLKPWL

tDCLK tLD tLDMIXCLK

MIXER MIXER MIXER
CLOCK ON CLOCK OFF CLOCK ON

MIXER MIXER
MIXER MIXER
CLOCK ON CLOCK OFF
CLOCK OFF CLOCK ON

Figure 5. Shift Register Timing Diagram

20 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
CW Mixer Output Summation Ultrasound-Specific IMD3 Specification

MAX2038
The maximum differential current output is typically Unlike typical communications specifications, the two
3mA P-P and the mixer output compliance voltage input tones are not equal in magnitude for the ultra-
ranges from 4.75V to 12V per mixer channel. The mixer sound-specific IMD3 two-tone specification. In this
common-mode current in each of the differential mixer measurement, f1 represents reflections from tissue and
outputs is typically 3.25mA. The total summed current f2 represents reflections from blood. The latter reflec-
would equal N x 3.25mA in each of the 115Ω load resis- tions are typically 25dB lower in magnitude, and hence
tors (where N = number of channels). In this case, the the measurement is defined with one input tone 25dB
quiescent output voltage at +VSUM and -VSUM outputs lower than the other. The IMD3 product of interest (f1 -
would be 11V - (N x 3.25mA x 115) = 11V - (8 x 3.25mA (f2 - f1)) presents itself as an undesired Doppler error
x 115) = 8.05V. The voltage swing at each output, with signal in ultrasound applications. See Figure 6.
one channel driven at max output current (differential
3mAP-P) while the other channels are not driven, would
be 1.5mAP-P x 115Ω or 174mVP-P and the differential
voltage would be 348mVP-P. The voltage compliance -25dB
range is defined as the valid range for +VSUM and -
VSUM in this example.
External Compensation
ULTRASOUND
External compensation is required for bypassing inter- IMD3
nal biasing circuitry. Connect as close as possible a
4.7µF capacitor from EXT_C1, EXT_C2, and EXT_C3
(pins 13, 14, 15) to ground.
External Bias Resistor
An external resistor at EXT_RES is required to set the
bias for the internal biasing circuitry. Connect, as close
as possible, a 7.5kΩ (0.1%) resistor from EXT_RES (pin
38) to ground. f1 - (f2 - f1) f1 f2 f2 + (f2 - f1)

Analog Input and Output Coupling

Figure 6. Ultrasound IMD3 Measurement Technique
In typical applications, the MAX2038 is being driven from
a low-noise amplifier (such as the MAX2034) and the
VGA is typically driving a discrete differential anti-alias fil- Board Layout
ter into an ADC (such as the MAX1436 octal ADC). The The pin configuration of the MAX2038 is optimized to
differential input impedance of the MAX2038 is typically facilitate a very compact physical layout of the device
240Ω. The differential outputs of the VGA are capable of and its associated discrete components. A typical
driving a differential load capacitance to GND at each of application for this device might incorporate several
the VGA differential outputs of 60pF, and differential devices in close proximity to handle multiple channels
capacitance across the VGA outputs is 10pF, RL = of signal processing.
1kΩ. The differential outputs have a common-mode The exposed pad (EP) of the MAX2038’s TQFP-EP
bias of approximately 3.75V. AC-couple these differen- package provides a low thermal-resistance path to the
tial outputs if the next stage has a different common- die. It is important that the PCB on which the MAX2038
mode input range. is mounted be designed to conduct heat from the EP.
In addition, provide the EP with a low-inductance path
to electrical ground. The EP MUST be soldered to a
ground plane on the PCB, either directly or through an
array of plated via holes.

______________________________________________________________________________________ 21
 MAX2038

22
THIRD-ORDER BUTTERWORTH
VG_CTL+ VG_CTL- ANTI-ALIAS FILTER
VCC VREF

VGOUT_+
50Ω 0.1μF
VGIN_+
ZIN IN CONTROL TO 12-BIT
D2, D1, D0 IMAGING
50Ω 0.1μF
VGIN_- ADC

VGOUT_-

+VMIX
+V
with CW Octal Mixer

115Ω 115Ω
TO I CHANNEL
100nF

Figure 7. Typical Per-Channel Ultrasound Imaging Application

CWD
100nF CWIN_+
100nF ADC
+VIN 12μH
CW_IOUT+
CWD
CW_IOUT- I CHANNELS
IN
12μH
Ultrasound VGA Integrated

100nF CWIN_-

ONE CHANNEL
CW_QOUT-
CWD
-V
MAX2034 CW_QOUT+ Q CHANNELS
100nF CW_VG IN

CW_FILTER TO Q CHANNEL
CWD
ONE CHANNEL
ADC
LO DIVIDER CWD I/Q LO
MAX2038
115Ω 115Ω

GND
+VMIX

______________________________________________________________________________________
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Pin Configuration

MAX2038
TOP VIEW

LO_LVDS+
LO_LVDS-
VGOUT4+

VGOUT5+
VGOUT3+

VGOUT7+
VGOUT2+

VGOUT6+
VG_CTL+

VGOUT5-
VGOUT2-

VGOUT4-

VGOUT7-
VGOUT6-
VGOUT3-

VG_CTL-

GND
LO3

LO4

LO5

LO6

LO7
VCC
LO2
VCC
75
74
73
72
71
70
69
68
67
66
65
64
63
62
61
60
59
58
57
56
55
54
53
52
51
LO1 76 50 VGOUT8-
VGOUT1+ 77 49 VGOUT8+
VGOUT1- 78 48 LO8
GND 79 47 N.C.
DIN 80 46 VCC
GND 81 45 DOUT
VCC 82 44 LOW_PWR
CLK 83 43 M4_EN
CW_M1 84 42 VCC
CW_M2 85 41 CW_FILTER
VG_CLAMP_MODE 86 40 PD
VCC 87 39 CW_VG
LOAD 88 38 EXT_RES
MAX2038
CW_QOUT+ 89 37 VREF
CW_QOUT- 90 36 CWIN8+
CW_IOUT- 91 35 CWIN8-
CW_IOUT+ 92 34 GND
VREF 93 33 VGIN8+
VGIN1- 94 32 VGIN8-
VGIN1+ 95 31 CWIN7+
GND 96 30 CWIN7-
CWIN1- 97 29 GND
CWIN1+ 98 28 VGIN7+
VGIN2- 99 27 VGIN7-
VGIN2+ 100 *EP 26 CWIN6+

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
CWIN3+

EXT_C3
EXT_C1
CWIN4+
CWIN2-

VGIN3+
GND
CWIN3-

VGIN4+
GND
CWIN4-

VCC

VGIN5+
GND
CWIN5-

VGIN6-
VGIN6+
GND
CWIN6-
EXT_C2

VGIN5-

CWIN5+
CWIN2+

VGIN4-
VGIN3-

TQFP
*EP = EXPOSED PAD

Chip Information Package Information

PROCESS: Silicon Complementary Bipolar For the latest package outline information and land patterns, go
to www.maxim-ic.com/packages. Note that a “+”, “#”, or “-” in
the package code indicates RoHS status only. Package draw-
ings may show a different suffix character, but the drawing per-
tains to the package regardless of RoHS status.
PACKAGE TYPE PACKAGE CODE DOCUMENT NO.
100 TQFP-EP C100E+3 21-0116

______________________________________________________________________________________ 23
 Ultrasound VGA Integrated
with CW Octal Mixer
Revision History
MAX2038

REVISION REVISION PAGES

DESCRIPTION
NUMBER DATE CHANGED
0 1/09 Initial release —
1 5/10 Implemented minor corrections 2–10, 12, 13, 18

Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. No circuit patent licenses are
implied. Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time.

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