February 3, 2014 – Linear Technology Korea (CEO Hong Sa-kwak) announced the release of a 300MHz to 6GHz active down-converting mixer (product name: LTC5577) that provides excellent +30dBm IIP3 (Input Third Order Intercept) and 0dB conversion gain.

The LTC5577 offers a wide operating frequency range, covering the entire cellular band from 450 MHz to 3.6 GHz as a single component. Additionally, the IF output port is available from 1 MHz to 1.5 GHz and provides uniform conversion gain performance across a 600 MHz bandwidth, supporting not only LTE and LTE-Advanced base stations but also other broadband receiver applications. Its extremely low M•RF x N•LO mixing spur characteristics make it ideal for low-distortion receivers and enhance distortion correction performance in digital predistortion (DPD) receivers. Furthermore, features such as extremely low LO to RF leakage allow the receiver to meet spurious emission requirements with little to no RF input filtering. Moreover, the LTC5577's RF input is designed to withstand strong in-band blocking signals while providing the highest level of noise figures and ensuring robust receiver sensitivity in the event of interference.

The LTC5577 features built-in broadband RF and LO input transformers, enabling continuous operation at 50 ohms in a single-ended configuration over the 700 MHz to 4.3 GHz range with the same external matching. As a result, the need for external components is minimized, reducing system cost and solution size. The LO input is 50 Ohms regardless of whether the device is powered on or off, allowing it to be implemented via Time Division Duplex (TDD). It is rapidly shut off to prevent disturbance, thereby unlocking the phase-locked loop (PLL). The LO input is buffered, requires only a 0 dBm drive level, and can be driven directly from the VCO circuit with no frequency pooling required or minimal frequency pooling. All features are combined to produce a space-efficient, easy-to-design, and cost-effective solution.

In addition to cellular base station applications, the LTC5577 is highly suitable for a wide range of wireless communications requiring robust performance, such as cable TV transceivers, broadband military radios, broadband VHF/UHF broadcast radios, software-defined radios (SDRs), RF test instruments, wireless repeaters, and satellite communications.

The LTC5577's 4mm x 4mm QFN package provides a compact footprint. Standardized for a case operating temperature range of -40°C to 105°C, the product ensures reliable operation in harsh environments. The LTC5577 operates on a single 180mA 3.3V power supply and consumes the lowest power in the +30dBm IIP3 mixer class. The device can be conveniently shut down via the enable control pin. During shutdown, the device saves power by consuming a maximum leakage current of 200μA. Further information is available at www.linear.com/product/LTC5577 .

Photo Caption: 300MHz ~ 6GHz High Signal Level Active Mixer