Most conventional mixers are passive solutions. As a result, they have a higher risk of spurious emissions. In contrast, Atmel's ATR0785, ATR0786, and ATR0787 products are active components. By providing a conversion gain of about 17 dB, each device promises to drastically reduce external influences. Unlike passive solutions, these new integrated circuits (ICs) incorporate buffers. They can therefore reduce spurious emissions.

These three active upconversion mixer ICs also stand out for their high-performance operation. Each device is specifically designed for use in the wireless-infrastructure marketplace. The ICs target cellular and WLL infrastructure, instrumentation, and ISM-band applications.

The ATR0785, ATR0786, and ATR0787 are manufactured using an advanced silicon-germanium (SiGe) process. This process gives the devices maximum performance while ensuring that they are thermally insensitive. As a result, these devices flaunt maximum quality.

To ensure a highly linear IF-to-RF conversion with low LO-RF leakage, each upconverter is designated for a specific operating frequency. The ATR0785 covers the 800-to-1000-MHz operating range. It is optimized for implementation into GSM, TDMA, and CDMA applications. The ATR0786, which operates at 1800 to 2100 MHz, is well suited for use in UMTS, DCS, or PCS systems. Its sibling, the ATR0787, can be used for any wireless application in the 2100-to-2500-MHz band.

All I/O ports have a 50-Ω impedance. If necessary, the LO and the RF ports can be driven single ended. This option enables fast and easy design-in while minimizing board-space consumption. Samples of the ATR078x are available now in a TSSOP16 package. In quantities of 10,000, pricing starts at $3.85.

Atmel Corp.
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