Maxim's RF-DAC Technology Delivers Software-Defined Radio Benefits to Macro- and Small Cell Base Stations

Maxim's RF-DAC Technology Delivers Software-Defined Radio Benefits to Macro- and Small Cell Base Stations

Maxim Integrated Products' RF DAC enables a digital transmitter solution supporting "Any-G to 4G" cellular standards.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) announces the MAX5879 multi-Nyquist RF digital-to-analog converter (RF DAC) that delivers a fully digital software-defined radio (SDR) transmitter, enabling a common hardware platform for multicarrier, multiband, and multistandard base stations.

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Working with FPGA-based direct digital synthesis (DDS), the MAX5879 RF DAC architecture shifts the functions of the analog quadrature modulator and agile local oscillator (LO) used in current architectures into the digital domain. This eliminates in-phase and quadrature errors, and LO feedthrough, commonly associated with analog upconversion. The MAX5879 dramatically simplifies RF design and improves reliability for base-station transmitters.

The MAX5879's selectable frequency response modes support direct RF synthesis of common 3G/4G cellular bands in multiple Nyquist zones from 700MHz to 2.8GHz. A single MAX5879 RF DAC serves multiple standards such as multicarrier GSM, WCDMA and LTE without compromising dynamic performance. This allows designers to use a common hardware platform that cuts development time-to-market.

Benefits of an MAX5879-Enabled Digital Transmitter

    --  Smartphones and tablet computers demand more bandwidth from wireless
        base stations. A MAX5879 RF DAC-enabled transmitter delivers much wider
        bandwidths than traditional architectures.
    --  The MAX5879's selectable 4:1 and 2:1 input data multiplexer lets
        hardware designers reduce input word rates, and this allows use of
        lower-cost FPGAs.
    --  MAX5879 RF-DAC technology is also ideal for microwave radio links used
        in mobile backhaul equipment; for CMTS/edge-QAM boxes used in cable
        head-end equipment; and for other wideband communication systems.
Industry Commentary

    --  iSuppli Senior Director and Principal Analyst, Jagdish Rebello, said,
        "OEMs and semiconductor suppliers must focus on developing effective
        infrastructure solutions that not only meet the current needs of
        carriers but are also aligned with the 3G/3.5G technology migration
        paths of the carriers to 4G. Many OEMs are starting to promote Any G to
        4G solutions. But to be truly successful, these solutions will need to
        be flexible to support the changing needs of the operators--with respect
        to frequency bands and air interface technologies."*

MAX5879 Temperature Range, Packaging, and Availability

    --  Operation is over the -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C range.
    --  Packaging is a 256-ball (17mm x 17mm) CSBGA.
MAX5879 RF-DAC is fully released and in production. Contact the factory for pricing.

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About Maxim

Maxim makes highly integrated analog and mixed-signal semiconductors. Maxim reported revenue of approximately $2.5 billion for fiscal 2011. For more information, go to http://www.Maxim-ic.com.

* Rebello, Jagdish, Senior Director and Principal Analyst, "Mobile Infrastructure Market: LTE Poised to Provide the Next Uplift," iSuppli, Q4 2010, p. 5.

    Contact:                 Drew Ehrlich
                             408-601-5478
                             Drew.ehrlich@maxim-ic.com
SOURCE  Maxim Integrated Products

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Maxim Integrated Products

Web Site: http://www.Maxim-ic.com