RoadTest:  Analog Devices SOT89 RF-IF Evaluation Board

First, I would like to thank Analog Devices and Element14 for giving me the opportunity to review the Analog Devices SOT89 RF-IF Evaluation Board.

What's in the package?

The SOT-89 RF-IF Evaluation Board package from Analog Devices contains:

1 - ADL5602-EVALZ Evaluation Board
2 - ADL5320ARKZ-R7 ADL5320ARKZ-R7 Samples (¼ W Driver, 400 – 2700 MHz)
2 - ADL5321ARKZ-R7 ADL5321ARKZ-R7 Samples (¼ W Driver, 2300 – 4000 MHz)
2 - ADL5535ARKZ-R7 ADL5535ARKZ-R7 Samples (IFA, 16 dB Gain, 20 – 1000 MHz)
2 - ADL5536ARKZ-R7 ADL5536ARKZ-R7 Samples (IFA, 20 dB Gain, 20 – 1000 MHz)
2 - ADL5601ARKZ-R7 ADL5601ARKZ-R7 Samples (Gain Block, 15 dB Gain, 50 – 4000 MHz)
2 - ADL5602ARKZ-R7 ADL5602ARKZ-R7 Samples (Gain Block, 20 dB Gain, 50 – 4000 MHz)
1 - RFIC Brochure

The ADL5602ARKZ-R7 ADL5602ARKZ-R7 is a broadband 20db linear amplifier that operates at frequencies up to 4-Ghz.  This device can be used in a variety of cellular, CATV, military, and instrumentation equipment.  This amplifier comes in a thermally efficient SOT-89 package.

Analog Devices claims that the ADL5602ARKZ-R7 ADL5602ARKZ-R7 provides the highest dynamic range available from an internally matched gain block (50-ohms @ input & output). They state that this is accomplished by providing extremely low noise figures and very high OIP3 specs simultaneously, across the entire 4-Ghz frequency range.

This amplifier provides a gain of 20db, which is stable over frequency, temperature, power supply, and from device-to-device.

Acronym    Definition
OIP3           Output Third-Order Intercept Point

Here is a nice document from Agilent Technologies explaining measurements related to microwave and IIP/OIP3 figures:  http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/PDF/IP3.PDF

The ADL5602ARKZ-R7 ADL5602ARKZ-R7 is very simple to integrate into a design ... the only external components required for operation are:  input/output ac coupling capacitors, power supply decoupling capacitors, and an inductor. This device consumes 89mA using a single 5V supply and is rated for -40°C to +85°C.

  Recommended Components for Basic Connections

The evaluation board is very well constructed.

I used the following gear for my test setup:

• Boonton Electronics 102A FM-AM Signal Generator
• AVCOM PSA-65A Portable Microwave Spectrum Analizer
• HP DC Power Supply
• HP 973A Multimeter (with temperature probe)
• 50-ohm terminations

Due to my humble collection of test equipment, I was not able to test this device to its full specifications.  With that in mind, I did perform every test I could to evaluate these amplifiers.  I fed these amps a wide variety of signals ranging from 5Mhz ~ 500Mhz (from a basic carrier wave to heavily modulated test signals). Although the ADL5602ARKZ-R7 ADL5602ARKZ-R7 is rated down to 50Mhz, it was still operating down to 32Mhz.  In addition, I lowered the supply voltage to 3.5V before the signal started to show signs of degradation. The ADL5602ARKZ-R7 ADL5602ARKZ-R7 amplifier faithfully produced a flat gain of 20db across the (advertised) spectrum (within the limits of my test setup).

The ambient temperature in the room measured 66°F and the current consumed by the ADL5602ARKZ-R7 ADL5602ARKZ-R7 was 80.4mA (well within spec).

The additional samples that come with this evaluation board are relatively easy to install using some braided solder wick and a heat gun to remove the factory installed ADL5602ARKZ-R7 ADL5602ARKZ-R7 device.  I was able to test the other samples in a similar fashion ... all of which performed well.

In summary ... this is a very nice evaluation kit.

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