General Description

The MAX2120 low-cost, direct-conversion tuner IC is

designed for satellite set-top and VSAT applications.

The IC is intended for QPSK, Digital Video Broadcast

(DVB-S), DSS, and free-to-air applications.

The MAX2120 directly converts the satellite signals

from the LNB to baseband using a broadband I/Q

downconverter. The operating frequency range extends

from 925MHz to 2175MHz.

The device includes an LNA and an RF variable-gain

amplifier, I and Q downconverting mixers, and baseband

lowpass filters with programmable cutoff frequency

control and digitally controlled baseband variable-gain

amplifiers. Together, the RF and baseband variable-gain

amplifiers provide more than 80dB of gain-control range.

The IC is compatible with virtually all QPSK demodulators.

The MAX2120 includes fully monolithic VCOs, as well as

a complete frequency synthesizer. Additionally, an on-

chip crystal oscillator is provided along with a buffered

output for driving additional tuners and demodulators.

Synthesizer programming and device configuration are

accomplished with a 2-wire serial interface. The IC fea-

tures a VCO autoselect (VAS) function that automatically

selects the proper VCO. For multituner applications, the

device can be configured to have one of two 2-wire

interface addresses. A low-power standby mode is

available whereupon the signal path is shut down while

leaving the reference oscillator, digital interface, and

buffer circuits active, providing a method to reduce

power in single and multituner applications.

The MAX2120 is the most advanced DBS tuner available

today. The low noise figure eliminates the need for an

external LNA. A small number of passive components are

needed to form a complete DVB, DBS, or VSAT RF front-

end solution. The tuner is available in a very small 28-pin

thin QFN package.

Applications

DirecTV and Dish Network DBS

DVB-S

Two-Way Satellite Systems

VSATs

Free-to-Air

Features

♦ 925MHz to 2175MHz Frequency Range

♦ Monolithic VCO: No Calibration Required

♦ -75dBm to 0dBm High Dynamic Range

♦ 4MHz to 40MHz Integrated Variable BW LP Filters

♦ Single +3.3V ±5% Supply

♦ Low-Power Standby Mode

♦ Multiple 2-Wire Addresses for Multituner

Applications

♦ Differential I/Q Interface

♦ Very Small 28-Pin Thin QFN Package

Complete, Direct-Conversion Tuner for DVB-S

and Free-to-Air Applications

________________________________________________________________

Maxim Integrated Products

1

19-0832; Rev 0; 6/07

For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim Direct at 1-888-629-4642,

or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.

EVALU

ATION

KIT

AVAIL

ABLE

RFIN

GC1

VCC_LO

+

÷

IOUT+

QOUT-

VCC_DIG

19

17

16

3

5

18

4

6

VCC_VCO

REFOUT

15

7

GND

IOUT-

20

2

VCC_RF1

21

IDC+

1

26

24

23

10

12

25

11

13

22

14

27

9

28

8

VCC_RF2

MAX2120

INTERFACE LOGIC

AND CONTROL

DC OFFSET

CORRECTION

LPF BW

CONTROL

DIV2/DIV4

EP

FREQUENCY

SYNTHESIZER

QOUT+

Pin Configuration/

Functional Diagram

Ordering Information

PART

TEMP RANGE

PIN-PACKAGE

PKG

CODE

MAX2120CTI+

0°C to +70°C

28 Thin QFN-EP*

T2855+3