19-2204; Rev 0; 1/02

General Description

The MAX2244/MAX2246 evaluation kits (EV kits) simpli-
fy evaluation of the MAX2244/MAX2245/MAX2246
power amplifiers (PAs). They enable testing of the
devices' RF performance and require no additional
support circuitry. The EV kits' signal inputs and outputs
use SMA connectors to facilitate the connection of RF
test equipment.

The MAX2244 EV kit is assembled with a MAX2244 and
incorporates output matching components optimized
for 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz and approximately 22dBm output
power. To evaluate the MAX2245, order samples from
Maxim by calling 1-800-998-8800. The MAX2246 EV kit
is assembled with a MAX2246 and is matched on-
board to provide approximately 20dBm in the 2.4GHz
band.

Features

o Easy Evaluation of the MAX2244/MAX2246
o 3V to 3.6V Single-Supply Operation
o Radio-Frequency Output Matched for Operation

from 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz

o Jumper for Easy Shutdown Control
o Includes All Critical Peripheral Components

DESIGNATION

QTY

DESCRIPTION

C10

100pF ±5% ceramic capacitor
(0402)
Murata GRP155C1H101K

J1, J2, J5

Connectors
Digi-Key 500K-ND

J3, J4

SMA connectors (edge mount)
EFJohnson 142-0701-801

JU1

3-pin header, 0.1in center
Digi-Key S1012-36-ND

JU1

Shunt
Digi-Key S9000-ND

R1, R3

8.2

±5% resistors (0402)

±5% resistor (0402)

MAX2244EBL 9-bump ultra chip-
scale package (UCSP

)

None

MAX2244 EV kit PC board

None

MAX2244 data sheet

Evaluate: MAX2244/MAX2245/MAX2246

MAX2244/MAX2246 Evaluation Kits

________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products

For pricing delivery, and ordering information please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim's website at www.maxim-ic.com.

DESIGNATION

QTY

DESCRIPTION

10µF tantalum capacitor, C case
AVXTAJC106K016

10nF ±10%, 10V min ceramic
capacitor (0402)
Murata GRP155R71E103K

C3, C9, C11

1000pF ±10%, 25V min ceramic
capacitors (0402)
Murata GRP155R71H102K

27pF ±5% ceramic capacitor (0402)
Murata GRP1555C1H270J

C5, C6

10pF ±5% ceramic capacitors
(0402)
Murata GRP1555C1H100B

1.2pF ±0.25pF ceramic capacitor
(0402)
Murata GRP1555C1H1R3B

5pF ±0.25pF ceramic capacitor
(0402)
Murata GRP1555C1H5R0B

MAX2244 Component List

Ordering Information

PART

TEMP RANGE

IC PACKAGE

MAX2244EVKIT

-40°C to +85°C

9 UCSP

MAX2246EVKIT

-40°C to +85°C

9 UCSP

SUPPLIER

PHONE

WEBSITE

Digi-Key

218-681-6674

www.digikey.com

Kamaya

219-489-1533

www.kamaya.com

Murata Electronics

770-436-1300

www.murata.com

Toko

408-432-8281

www.toko.com

Component Suppliers

UCSP is a trademark of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Evaluate: MAX2244/MAX2245/MAX2246

MAX2244/MAX2246 Evaluation Kits

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Quick Start

The MAX2244/MAX2246 EV kits are fully assembled
and factory tested. Follow the instructions in the
Connections and Setup section for proper device eval-
uation. To evaluate the MAX2245, order samples from
Maxim by calling 1-800-998-8800.

Test Equipment Required

This section lists the recommended test equipment to
verify operation of the MAX2244/MAX2245/MAX2246. It
is intended only as a guide, and some substitutions are
possible:

One RF signal generator capable of delivering at
least 5dBm of output power at the operating fre-
quency (HP 8648D or equivalent)

One RF power sensor capable of handling at least
10dBm of output power at the operating frequency
(HP 8482A or equivalent)

One RF power meter capable of measuring up to
10dBm of output power at the operating frequency
(HP 438A or equivalent)

An RF spectrum analyzer that covers the MAX2244/
MAX2246 operating frequency range, as well as a
few harmonics (HP 8562E, for example)

A dual-output power supply capable of up to 0.25A
at 3.0V to 3.6V and a supply capable of 0 to 2.5V at
up to 10mA.

An optional ammeter for measuring the supply cur-
rent

Two 50

SMA cables

One SMA 20dB pad

A network analyzer (HP 8753D, for example) to
measure small-signal return loss and gain (optional)

Connections and Setup

This section is a step-by-step guide to operating the EV
kits and testing the devices' function. Do not turn on
the DC power or RF signal generators until all con-
nections are made:

1) Connect a DC supply set to 3.0V (through an amme-

ter, if desired) to the VCC and GND terminals on the
EV kit. Set the second DC supply voltage to 2.0V and
connect to PC. Do not turn on the supply.

2) Connect one RF signal generator to the RFIN SMA

connector. Do not turn on the generator's output.
Set the generator for an output frequency of
2.45GHz at a power level of 2dBm.

3) Connect a 20dB pad to the RFOUT SMA connector

on the EV kit to prevent overloading the power sen-
sor and power meter.

4) Connect a power sensor to the 20dB pad.

5) Connect the power sensor to a power meter. Set

the power meter offset to 20dB and frequency to
2.45GHz.

6) Ensure JU1 (SHUTDOWN) is in the ON position.

First turn on the VCC supply, and then the PC sup-
ply. The VCC supply current should read approxi-
mately 60mA (MAX2244) or 35mA (MAX2246).

7) Activate the RF generator's output. For the

MAX2244 EV kit, the output power should increase
to approximately 22dBm with supply current rising

MAX2246 Component List

DESIGNATION

QTY

DESCRIPTION

10µF tantalum capacitor, C case
AVXTAJC106K016

10nF ±10% 10V min ceramic
capacitor
(0402)
Murata GRP155R71E103K

C3, C9, C11

1000pF ±10% 25V min ceramic
capacitors
(0402) Murata GRP155R71H102K

C4, C8, C10

27pF ±5% ceramic capacitors
(0402)
Murata GRP1555C1H270J

C5, C6

10pF ±0.1pF ceramic capacitors
(0402)
Murata GRP1555C1H100B

1.3pF ±0.1pF ceramic capacitor
(0402)
Murata GRP1555C1H1R3B

J1, J2, J5

Connectors
Digi-Key 500K-ND

J3, J4

SMA connectors (edge mount)
EFJohnson 142-0701-801

JU1

3-pin header, 0.1in center
Digi-Key S1012-36-ND

JU1

Shunt
Digi-Key S9000-ND

R1, R3

8.2

±5% resistors (0402)

±5% resistor (0402)

MAX2246EBL 9-pin UCSP

None

MAX2246 EV kit PC board

None

MAX2246 data sheet

Evaluate: MAX2244/MAX2245/MAX2246

MAX2244/MAX2246 Evaluation Kits

_______________________________________________________________________________________

MAX2244

VCC

GND

µF

C2
10nF

1000pF

8.2

27pF

SMA
RFIN

10pF

VCC

JU1

SHDN

R2
1k

C11
1000pF

C7
1.2pF

C10
100pF

T1*

, 17.6°

L = 2.7mm

T4*
50

, 5.3°

L = 0.8mm

T2*

, 50°

L = 7.6mm

C8
5pF

C9
1000pF

R3
8.2

VPC

CC2

GND

REFOUT

GND

CC1

GND

RFIN/

SHDN

10pF

J4
SMA
RFOUT

T3*
50

, 5.3°

L = 0.8mm

*W = 0.254mm (10mils)
ON FR4, 0.135mm (5.3mils)
THICKNESS TO GROUND PLANE.

Figure 1. MAX2244 EV Kit Schematic

to approximately 172mA. For the MAX2246 EV kit,
output power is approximately 20dBm with a supply
current of approximately 120mA.

8) Varying the DC supply voltage connected to PC

between 0 and 2.5V varies the output power. Refer
to the MAX2244/MAX2245/MAX2246 data sheet for
more information.

Layout Issues

A good PC board is an essential part of an RF circuit
design. The EV kit PC board can be a guide for laying
out a board using the MAX2244/MAX2245/MAX2246.

Keep traces carrying RF signals as short as possible to
minimize radiation and insertion loss because of the PC
board. Each VCC node on the PC board should have
its own decoupling capacitor to minimize supply cou-
pling from one section of the IC to another. A star topol-
ogy for the supply layout, in which each VCC node on
the circuit has a separate connection to a central VCC
node, can further minimize coupling between sections
of the IC. Refer to the Layout section of the
MAX2244/MAX2245/MAX2246 data sheet for more
information.

Evaluate: MAX2244/MAX2245/MAX2246

MAX2244/MAX2246 Evaluation Kits

_______________________________________________________________________________________

MAX2246

VCC

GND

µF

C2
10nF

1000pF

8.2

27pF

SMA
RFIN

10pF

VCC

JU1

SHDN

R2
1k

C11
1000pF

C7
1.3pF

C10
27pF

T1*

, 25.0°

L = 3.8mm

T4*
50

, 8.9°

L = 1.3mm

T2*

, 50°

L = 7.6mm

C8
27pF

C9
1000pF

R3
8.2

VPC

CC2

GND

REFOUT

GND

CC1

GND

RFIN/

SHDN

10pF

J4
SMA
RFOUT

T3*
50

, 5.3°

L = 0.8mm

*W = 0.254mm (10mils)
ON FR4, 0.135mm (5.3mils)
THICKNESS TO GROUND PLANE.

Figure 2. MAX2246 EV Kit Schematic

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