MAX5879:14-Bit, 2.3Gsps Direct RF Synthesis DAC with Selectable Frequency Response

Synthesize High-Quality Wideband Signals from DC to Greater Than 2GHz

The MAX5879 is a high-performance, 14-bit, 2.3Gsps digital-to-analog converter (DAC) capable of synthesizing high-frequency and wideband signals in baseband and higher-order Nyquist zones. The 2.3Gsps update rate, combined with the selectable frequency-response modes (NRZ, RZ, RF, and RFZ), allows digital generation of signals to more than 2GHz output frequency. The unique RFZ mode allows generation up to the 6th Nyquist zone, with update rates to 1150Msps. The device features excellent spurious, noise, and intermodulation distortion performance, and can directly synthesize signal bandwidths to more than 1GHz. The device has four 14-bit, multiplexed, low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) input ports that each operates up to 1150Mwps. The DAC operates with a clock rate (fCLK) up to 2.3GHz. The device has a selectable 2:1 or 4:1 input multiplexer that allows the user to select two data ports up to 1150Mwps each, or four data ports up to 575Mwps each. In turn, the input data rate is 1/2 or 1/4 the DAC update rate at each port. The device features a delay-locked loop (DLL) to ease data synchronization with FPGAs or ASICs. The parity input and parity error flag output can be used to detect bit errors between the data source and the DAC. The device also features a data clock reset circuit for aligning the data-capture clocks of multiple DACs. The device has four selectable frequency-response output modes: Nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) mode provides the highest dynamic range/output power in the 1st Nyquist zone. Return-to-zero (RZ) mode trades off SNR for improved gain flatness in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Nyquist zones. Radio-frequency (RF) mode provides higher SNR and excellent dynamic performance in the 2nd and 3rd Nyquist zones. Radio-frequency-return-to-zero (RFZ) mode provides high dynamic range and improved gain flatness in the 3rd through 6th Nyquist zones at a maximum update rate of fCLK/2. The device is a current-steering DAC with an integrated 50Ω differential output termination to ensure optimum dynamic performance. Operating from 3.3V and 1.8V power supplies, the device dissipates 1.8W at 40mA full-scale current and 2.3W at 80mA full-scale current. The device is specified over the -40°C to +85°C extended temperature range and is offered in a 256-ball (17mm x 17mm) CSBGA package.

Key Features
  • Industry-Leading Performance
    • WCDMA ACLR: 70dB at 2.14GHz
    • DOCSIS ACP: -70dBc at 400MHz, 8 Channel (256 QAM)
    • Noise Density: -165dBc/Hz at 200MHz
  • High Output Power: 9dBm (CW)
  • Frequency-Response Modes: NRZ, RZ, RF, RFZ
  • 2GHz Output Bandwidth
  • 2:1 or 4:1 Multiplexed LVDS Inputs
    • Up to 1150MHz Each Port
    • Single or Double Data-Rate Operation
  • On-Chip DLL for Input Data Synchronization
  • Reset Function for Multiple DAC Synchronization
Applications/Uses
  • Arbitrary Waveform Generators
  • Broadband Communications
  • Digital Video Broadcast
  • Direct Digital Synthesis
  • Edge QAM and CMTS
  • Radar and Avionics
  • Software-Defined Radio
  • Wireless Infrastructure
DataSheet
titleDownload file
MAX5879 Data SheetMAX5879.pdf
Parametrics
Part NumberResolution
(bits)
fCLK
(Msps)
ChannelsSFDR
(dBc)
IOUT
(mA)
PDISS
(mW)
InterfaceVSUPPLY
(V)
Package/Pins
@ fOUT
MAX5879142300173 @ 1800MHz802300Interleaved, LVDS1.8
3.3
CSBGA/256
Design kits & evaluation modules
Quality and Environmental Data
Ordering Information
Part NumberStatusRecommended ReplacementPackageTempRoHS
MAX5879EXF+ActiveCSBGA,;256 pin;292.4 mm²-40°C to +85°CLead Free
MAX5879.pdf MAX5879
MAX5879.pdf MAX5879
MAX5879.pdf MAX5879
Direct-Sampling DACs in Theory and Application MAX2870
MAX5879.pdf MAX5879