Analog Devices introduced integrated wideband passive mixers for communications applications. The ADL5811 single-channel and ADL5812 dual-channel enable multiband, single-board receiver designs by combining a wideband LO (local oscillator) amplifier, a programmable RF balun, a high-linearity mixer core, a programmable IF filter, and an IF amplifier.

The passive mixers extend across a 700-MHz to 2800-MHz frequency range in a single device while delivering input IP3 (third order intercept) of 24 dBm, an 11 dB SSB noise figure and 7 dB of power conversion gain. These performance specifications are maintained across the full operating frequency range. The mixers are designed for wideband wireless infrastructure applications and software-defined radio applications, including multi-band/multi-standard cellular base station receivers, wideband radio link down converters, multi-mode cellular repeaters, and picocells applications.

The frequencies can be changed using a three-wire SPI (serial port interface), which allows designers to tune the mixers with no need for external impedance matching components. Performance can be further optimized by digitally adjusting the DC bias voltage to the passive mixer gates. To minimize power dissipation, each channel of the dual-channel ADL5812 can be enabled or disabled independent of the other.

For DPD (digital pre-distortion) transmit observation receivers or non-diversity applications, the single-channel ADL5811 can implement a single receiver chain in a multi-channel or multi-band platform.