San Jose, California, February 18, 2013 — Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM) announced the release of the MAX2580, a single-chip, multi-standard RF to Bits® small cell wireless transceiver.* This highly integrated solution enables multi-mode MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) wireless designs across all bands using very few external components. Additionally, the MAX2580 design package provides a comprehensive system-level reference design, which can be used to accelerate time-to-market. This RF transceiver is suitable for mobile operators looking to deploy residential, enterprise, and outdoor small cell base stations for their next-generation HetNet.

Developed in recognition of the demand for next-generation HetNet solutions, the MAX2580 provides broadband frequency coverage using programmable channel bandwidth, enabling support for all LTE/3G bands and modes. The MAX2580 integrates a comprehensive 2x2 MIMO RF front-end into a single device, including a fractional-N frequency synthesizer, high-speed data converter, and channel selection filter. Additionally, the MAX2580 provides a standard JESD207 data interface, allowing for seamless connectivity with multi-core LTE baseband processors.

Key Features of the Product
• Outstanding Wireless Performance: Supports all LTE bands from Band 1 to Band 41 and allows for selectable channel bandwidths from 1.4MHz to 20MHz. Supports FDD-LTE, TD-LTE, and WCDMA modes. Enables the implementation of all types of indoor and outdoor small cell solutions.
• High Integration: 2x2 MIMO RF to Bits Architecture. Integrated comprehensive RF front-end, IF amplifier, fractional-N synthesizer, full decimation, interpolation, channel selection filter, and parallel JESD207 data interface. The power amplifier (PA) predriver provides a 0dBm output power level.
• Reduced Time to Market: Provides a comprehensive system-level reference design for indoor and outdoor applications, enabling reduced time to market.

Industry evaluation
“This new LTE/3G transceiver from Maxim Integrated is a prime example of our commitment to providing highly integrated and high-performance RF solutions for small cell base stations. As small cell base station deployments expand from consumer applications to enterprise and outdoor applications, we are enabling customers to shorten design time by providing fully validated reference designs in collaboration with our ecosystem partners,” said Vickram Vathulya, Managing Director of RF Solutions at Maxim Integrated.
“As mobile operators transition from mobility-focused 2G voice coverage to high-capacity-focused LTE/3G mobile data coverage, they are implementing heterogeneous networks including multimode small cells for cost reasons and as they encounter performance limitations,” said Joe Madden, a senior analyst at Mobile Experts.

The MAX2580 is a new LTE/3G small cell transceiver product following the MAX2550-MAX2553 WCDMA and cdma2000® small cell transceivers. Samples of the MAX2580 are currently being supplied to key customers, and mass production supply is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2013. More details can be accessed by clicking here, and high-resolution photos by clicking here.