19-1913; Rev 0; 1/01

L
MANUA
LUAT ION KIT HEET
EVA TA S
WS DA
FOLLO
2.4GHz Monolithic Voltage-Controlled
Oscillator with Differential Outputs
General Description Features

MAX2753
The MAX2753 is a self-contained voltage-controlled oscil- ♦ Guaranteed Frequency Tuning Range: 2400MHz
lator (VCO) intended for use in 2.4GHz radios that utilize a to 2500MHz
low-IF or zero-IF architecture. It combines a fully integrat-
♦ Compatible with Low-IF or Zero-IF Radio
ed oscillator and output buffer in a miniature 8-pin µMAX
Architectures
package.
♦ Differential Outputs
The inductor and varactor elements of the tank are inte-
grated on-chip, greatly simplifying application of the part. ♦ On-Chip Tank Circuit
The only required external components are a couple of
♦ Internally Matched Output Buffer Amplifier
supply bypass capacitors. The MAX2753 provides direct
connection to the VCO tuning voltage input and the VCO ♦ 1µA Shutdown Mode
buffer output. The tuning voltage input range is +0.4V to ♦ +2.7V to +5.5V Supply Voltage Range
+2.4V, and the oscillator frequency tuning range is factory
adjusted to provide guaranteed limits. The output signal is ♦ Miniature 8-Pin µMAX Package
buffered by an amplifier stage (internally matched to 50Ω)
to provide higher output power and isolate the device from Ordering Information
load impedance variations. In addition, the MAX2753 pro- PART TEMP. RANGE PIN-PACKAGE
vides differential outputs.
MAX2753EUA -40°C to +85°C 8 µMAX
The MAX2753 operates over a +2.7V to +5.5V supply volt-
age range. Internal regulation of the oscillator supply volt-
age eliminates the need for an external LDO regulator for
Pin Configuration
the VCO. The MAX2753 also provides a digitally controlled
shutdown mode to permit implementation of sophisticated TOP VIEW
power-supply management. In shutdown, the supply cur- BYP 1 8 GND

rent is reduced to less than 1µA. TUNE 2 7 OUTN

MAX2753
________________________Applications GND 3 6 VCC

802.11 FHSS WLAN SHDN 4 5 OUTP

Home RF
2.4GHz Bluetooth ISM Proprietary Radio µMAX

Typical Operating Circuit

BYP
GND

TUNE OSCILLATOR OUTN OUT TO MIXER/

TUNE SYNTHESIZER
CORE

GND
VCC
VCC
MAX2753

SHDN OUTP OUT TO MIXER/

SHDN BIAS SYNTHESIZER

________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products 1

For price, delivery, and to place orders, please contact Maxim Distribution at 1-888-629-4642,
or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.
 2.4GHz Monolithic Voltage-Controlled
Oscillator with Differential Outputs
MAX2753

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

VCC to GND ..............................................................-0.3V to +6V Operating Temperature Range ...........................-40°C to +85°C
TUNE, SHDN, BYP, Junction Temperature ......................................................+150°C
OUTP, OUTN to GND .................................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V) 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
(VCC = +2.7V to +5.5V, VTUNE = +0.4V to +2.4V, V SHDN ≥ +2V, OUTP = OUTN = connected to 50Ω load, TA = -40°C to +85°C.
Typical values are at VCC = +3.0V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.) (Note 1)

PARAMETER CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

Supply Voltage 2.7 5.5 V
TA = +25oC 8.6 13.0
Supply Current mA
TA = -40oC to +85oC 13.5
Shutdown Supply Current V SHDN ≤ 0.6V 0.2 1 µA
SHDN Input Voltage Low 0.6 V
SHDN Input Voltage High 2.0 V
SHDN Input Current Low V SHDN ≤ 0.6V -1 1 µA
SHDN Input Current High V SHDN ≥ 2.0V -2 2 µA
TUNE Input Current 0.4V ≤ V TUNE ≤ 2.4V 0.02 nA

AC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(MAX2753 EV kit, VCC = +2.7V to +5.5V, VTUNE = +0.4V to +2.4V, V SHDN ≥ +2V, OUTP = OUTN = connected to 50Ω load,
TA = +25°C. Typical values are at VCC = +3.0V, unless otherwise noted.)

PARAMETER CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

Oscillator Guaranteed V TUNE = +0.4V to +2.4V, TA = -40oC to +85oC 2400 2500 MHz
Frequency Limits (Note1)
fOFFSET = 4MHz -130 dBc/Hz
Phase Noise
Noise floor -153 dBm/Hz
fOSC = 2400MHz 150
Tuning Gain (Note 2) MHz/V
fOSC = 2500MHz 110
Differential Output Power -8 dBm
Return Loss Pins OUTP or OUTN 11 dB
Harmonics Differential output -26 dBc
Load Pulling VSWR = 2:1, all phases, pins OUTP or OUTN 3.4 MHzp-p
Supply Pushing VCC stepped: +3.3V to +2.8V 1.1 MHz/V
Oscillator Turn-On Time (Note 3) Exiting shutdown 10 µs
Oscillator Turn-Off Time (Note 4) Entering shutdown 8 µs

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 the oscillator’s guaranteed frequency limits.
Note 3: Turn-on time to within 3dB of final output power
Note 4: Turn-off time to output power of -15dBm.

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 2.4GHz Monolithic Voltage-Controlled
Oscillator with Differential Outputs
Typical Operating Characteristics

MAX2753
(MAX2753 EV kit, VCC = +3.0V, VTUNE = +0.4V to +2.4V, V SHDN ≥ +2V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

SUPPLY CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE TUNING CURRENT vs. TEMPERATURE VCO TUNING CURVE
13 0.5 2700

MAX2753 toc03
MAX2753 toc02
MAX2753 toc01

12 TA = -40°C
2600
11 0.4
TUNE INPUT CURRENT (nA)
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)

TA = +25°C

FREQUENCY (MHz)
10 2500
0.3
9
2400
8 TA = +85°C
0.2
7 2300

6
0.1 2200
5
4 0 2100
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
TEMPERATURE (°C) TEMPERATURE (°C) VTUNE (V)

PHASE NOISE OUTPUT POWER vs. FREQUENCY OUTPUT POWER vs. TEMPERATURE
-60 -5.0 -6.0

MAX2753 toc06
MAX2753 toc04

MAX2753 toc05

-5.5
-70
-6.0
-80 -7.0
OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
PHASE NOISE (dBc/Hz)

-6.5
-90
-7.0
-100
-7.5 -8.0
-110
-8.0
-120
-8.5
-9.0
-130 -9.0
-140 -9.5
-150 -10.0 -10.0
0.1 1 10 2400 2420 2440 2460 2480 2500 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
OFFSET FREQUENCY (MHz) FREQUENCY (MHz) TEMPERATURE (°C)

NORMALIZED HARMONIC
OUTPUT SPECTRUM OSCILLATOR TURN-ON TIME OSCILLATOR TURN-OFF TIME
0 0
MAX2753 toc09
MAX2753 toc08
MAX2753 toc09

-10 -10
-20 -20
∆ = 30dBc ∆ = 27dBc
OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
OUTPUT POWER (dBm)
OUTPUT POWER (dBm)

-30 -30
-40 -40
-50 -50
-60 -60
-70 8µs -70 7µs
-80 -80
-90 -90
-100 -100
ƒO 2ƒO 3ƒO 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
FREQUENCY TIME (µs) TIME (µs)

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 2.4GHz Monolithic Voltage-Controlled
Oscillator with Differential Outputs
Pin Description
MAX2753

PIN NAME FUNCTION

1 BYP VCO Bypass. Bypass with a 0.1µF capacitor to GND.

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).
Ground Connection for Oscillator and Biasing. Requires a low-inductance connection to the circuit
3 GND
board ground plane.
Shutdown Logic Input. A high-impedance input logic level low disables the device and reduces
4 SHDN
supply current to less than 1.0µA. A logic level high enables the device.
Positive Buffered Oscillator Output. Incorporates an internal DC blocking capacitor. OUTP is internally
5 OUTP
matched to 50Ω.
DC Supply Voltage Connection. Bypass with a 220pF capacitor to GND for best high frequency
6 VCC
performance.
Negative Buffered Oscillator Output. Incorporates an internal DC blocking capacitor. OUTN is
7 OUTN
internally matched to 50Ω.
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 MAX2753 VCO is implemented as an LC oscillator The tuning input is typically connected to the output of
topology, integrating all of the tank components on- the PLL loop filter. The loop filter provides an appropri-
chip. This fully monolithic approach provides an ately low-impedance source. The input may incorporate
extremely easy-to-use VCO, equivalent to a VCO mod- an extra RC filter stage to reduce high-frequency noise
ule. The frequency is controlled by a voltage applied to and spurious signals. Any excess noise on the tuning
the TUNE pin, which is internally connected to the var- input is directly translated into FM noise, which can
actor. The VCO core uses a differential topology to pro- degrade the phase-noise performance of the oscillator.
vide a stable frequency versus supply voltage and Therefore, it is important to minimize the noise intro-
improve the immunity to load variations. In addition, duced on the tuning input. A simple RC filter with low
there is a differential buffer amplifier following the oscil- corner frequency is needed during testing to filter the
lator core to provide added isolation from load varia- noise present on the voltage source driving the tuning
tions and to boost the output power. line.
Output Buffer Layout Issues
The oscillator signal from the core drives a differential Always use controlled impedance lines (microstrip,
output buffer amplifier. Each of the two amplifier out- coplanar waveguide, etc.) for high-frequency signals.
puts is internally matched to 50Ω including an on-chip Always place decoupling capacitors as close to the
DC-blocking capacitor. No external DC-blocking VCC pins as possible; for long VCC lines, it may be nec-
capacitor is required, eliminating the need for any essary to add additional decoupling capacitors located
external components. The amplifier boosts the oscillator further from the device. Always provide a low-induc-
signal to a level suitable for driving most RF mixers. tance path to ground, and keep GND vias as close to
the device as possible. Thermal reliefs on GND pads
are not recommended.

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 2.4GHz Monolithic Voltage-Controlled
Oscillator with Differential Outputs

MAX2753
BYP
GND
0.1µF

FROM TUNE OSCILLATOR OUTN OUT TO MIXER/

SYNTHESIZER CORE SYNTHESIZER

LOOP FILTER

GND
VCC
VCC
MAX2753 220pF

SHDN OUTP OUT TO MIXER/

SHDN BIAS SYNTHESIZER

Figure 1. Typical Application Circuit

Chip Information
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 176
PROCESS: BiPOLAR

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 5
 2.4GHz Monolithic Voltage-Controlled
Oscillator with Differential Outputs
Package Information
MAX2753

8LUMAXD.EPS

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