Analog Devices EVAL-ADRF5534 User manual

User Guide | EVAL-ADRF5534
UG-2098
Evaluating the ADRF5534, 3.1 GHz to 4.2 GHz, Receiver Front End
PLEASE SEE THE LAST PAGE FOR AN IMPORTANT
WARNING AND LEGAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Rev. 0 | 1 of 7
FEATURES
►Full featured evaluation board for the ADRF5534
►Easy connection to test equipment
►Thru line for calibration
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
►DC power supplies
►Network analyzer
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The ADRF5534 is an integrated RF, front-end multichip module
designed for time division duplex (TDD) applications. The device
operates from 3.1 GHz to 4.2 GHz. The ADRF5534 is configured
with an LNA and a high-power, silicon, SPDT switch.
This user guide describes the ADRF5534-EVALZ, designed to
easily evaluate the features and performance of the ADRF5534. A
photograph of the ADRF5534-EVALZ is shown in Figure 1.
Full details about the device are available in the ADRF5534 data
sheet, which must be consulted when using the ADRF5534-EVALZ.
EVALUATION BOARD PHOTOGRAPH
Figure 1. ADRF5534-EVALZ

User Guide EVAL-ADRF5534
TABLE OF CONTENTS
analog.com Rev. 0 | 2 of 7
Features................................................................ 1
Equipment Needed................................................1
General Description...............................................1
Evaluation Board Photograph................................1
Evaluation Board Hardware...................................3
Overview............................................................ 3
ADRF5534-EVALZ Layout................................. 3
RF Inputs and Outputs....................................... 3
Power Supply and Control Inputs.......................3
Test Procedure...................................................... 4
Biasing Sequence.............................................. 4
Expected Results............................................... 5
Evaluation Board Artwork and Schematic............. 6
Ordering Information..............................................7
Bill of Materials...................................................7
REVISION HISTORY
3/2023—Revision 0: Initial Version

User Guide EVAL-ADRF5534
EVALUATION BOARD HARDWARE
analog.com Rev. 0 | 3 of 7
OVERVIEW
The ADRF5534-EVALZ is preinstalled with connectors (end launch
Subminiature Version A (SMA)) and assembled with the ADRF5534
and the application circuitry of the ADRF5534. All components are
placed on the primary side of the ADRF5534-EVALZ. An assem-
bly drawing for the ADRF5534-EVALZ is shown in Figure 8. An
ADRF5534-EVALZ schematic is provided in Figure 9.
ADRF5534-EVALZ LAYOUT
The ADRF5534-EVALZ is designed using RF circuit design techni-
ques on an 8-layer printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB stack-up is
shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Evaluation Board Stack-Up
The outer copper layers are 2 oz (2.7 mil) thick and the inner layers
are 1 oz (1.3 mil) thick. The top dielectric material is 10 mil Rogers
4350B, which provides 50 Ω controlled impedance and optimizes
high-frequency performance. The remaining six dielectric layers are
FR4 based filler layers that improve the mechanical strength of the
ADRF5534-EVALZ and meet the overall board thickness of 62 mil.
All RF traces are routed on the top layer, and the remaining
seven layers are ground planes that provide a solid ground for
RF transmission lines and help to manage thermal rise on the
ADRF5534-EVALZ during high-power operations.
The RF transmission lines are designed using a coplanar wave-
guide (CPWG) model with a width of 18 mil and a ground spacing
of 13 mil to have a characteristic impedance of 50 Ω. Ground via
fences are arranged on both sides of a CPWG to improve isolation
between nearby RF lines and other signal lines.
The exposed ground pad of the ADRF5534, which is soldered
on the PCB ground pad, is the main thermal conduit for heat
dissipation. The PCB ground pad is densely populated with filled
through vias to provide the lowest possible thermal resistance
path temperature from the top to the bottom of the PCB. The
connections from the package ground leads to ground are kept as
short as possible.
RF INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
The ADRF5534-EVALZ has five edge mounted SMA connectors
for the RF inputs and outputs, as shown in Table 1. The SMA
connectors on the thru line are not populated by default and can be
connected by the user to measure and calibrate out the evaluation
board loss effects. Use the thru line on THRU1 and THRU2 to
calibrate out the ANT, TERM, and RX evaluation board loss.
Table 1. RF Inputs and Outputs
SMA Connectors Description
ANT Antenna input
TERM Termination output
RX Receiver output
THRU1 Thru line input or output, DNI
THRU2 Thru line input or output, DNI
POWER SUPPLY AND CONTROL INPUTS
The ADRF5534-EVALZ has one power-supply input, one control
input, and one ground, as shown in Table 2. The DC test points are
populated on the VDD, CTRL, and GND test points.
A single 5 V supply is connected to the DC test point on the
VDD test point. Ground reference can be connected to the GND
test point. The typical total current consumption for the ADRF5534
is 120 mA in receive operation. The supply pin of the ADRF5534-
EVALZ is decoupled with 100 pF and 4.7 µF capacitors.
A single 5 V supply is connected to the DC test point on the CTRL
test point. The control pin of the ADRF5534-EVALZ is decoupled
with 100 pF. When no connection is made to the CTRL control
input, the RF channel is in termination mode with LNA powered
down.
Table 2. Test Points for Power Supply and Control Inputs
Test Points Description
VDD Positive supply voltage
CTRL Transmit/receive control logic input
GND Ground

User Guide EVAL-ADRF5534
TEST PROCEDURE
analog.com Rev. 0 | 4 of 7
BIASING SEQUENCE
To bias up the ADRF5534-EVALZ, perform the following steps:
1. Ground the GND test point.
2. Bias up VDD test point.
3. Bias up the CTRL test point.
4. Apply an RF input signal.
The ADRF5534-EVALZ is shipped fully assembled and tested.
Figure 3 provides a basic test setup diagram to evaluate the
s-parameters (receive gain, transmit insertion loss and isolation,
and RF input and output return losses) using a network analyzer.
Note that PSU in Figure 3 means power supply unit. Perform the
following steps to complete the test setup and verify the operation
of the ADRF5534-EVALZ:
1. Connect the GND test point to the ground terminal of the power
supply.
2. Connect the VDD test point to the voltage output terminal of the
5 V supply that sources a current of approximately 120 mA in
receive operation or 15 mA for transmit operation.
3. Connect the CTRL test point to the voltage output terminal of
the 5 V supply for receive operation. The ADRF5534-EVALZ
can be configured in different modes by connecting the CTRL
control test point to 5 V or ground, as shown in Table 3.
4. Connect a calibrated network analyzer to the ANT, TERM, and
RX SMA connectors. Sweep frequency from 1 GHz to 6 GHz
and set power to −25 dBm.
5. The ADRF5534-EVALZ is expected to have a receive gain of
35.5 dB and transmit insertion loss of 0.8 dB at 3.6 GHz. See
the expected results in Figure 4 to Figure 6.
Table 3. Truth Table: Signal Path Selection
CTRL
Signal Path Selection
Transmit Operation (ANT
to TERM)
Receive Operation (ANT
to RX)
Low On Off, LNA powered down
High Off, isolation state On
Additional test equipment is needed to fully evaluate the device
functions and performance.
For noise figure evaluation, use either a noise figure analyzer or a
spectrum analyzer with noise option. The use of a low excess noise
ratio (ENR) noise source is recommended.
For third-order intercept point evaluation, use two signal generators
and a spectrum analyzer. A high isolation power combiner is recom-
mended.
For power compression and power handling evaluations, use a
two-channel power meter and a signal generator. A power amplifier
with great enough power is recommended at the input. Test acces-
sories such as couplers and attenuators must have enough power
handling.
The ADRF5534-EVALZ comes with a support plate attached to
the bottom side. To ensure maximum heat dissipation and to
reduce thermal rise on the ADRF5534-EVALZ during high-power
evaluations, the support plate must be attached to a heatsink using
thermal grease.
Note that the measurements performed at the SMA connectors of
the ADRF5534-EVALZ include the losses of the SMA connectors
and the PCB. The thru line must be measured to calibrate out the
ADRF5534-EVALZ effects. The thru line is the summation of an RF
input line and an RF output line that are connected to the device
and equal in length.
Figure 3. Test Setup Diagram

User Guide EVAL-ADRF5534
TEST PROCEDURE
analog.com Rev. 0 | 5 of 7
EXPECTED RESULTS
Figure 4. Gain vs. Frequency at Various Temperatures
Figure 5. Receive Mode Return Loss vs. Frequency at Various Temperatures
Figure 6. Insertion Loss vs. Frequency at Various Temperatures
Figure 7. Transmit Mode Return Loss vs. Frequency at Various Temperatures

User Guide EVAL-ADRF5534
EVALUATION BOARD ARTWORK AND SCHEMATIC
analog.com Rev. 0 | 6 of 7
Figure 8. Assembly Diagram
Figure 9. Schematic

User Guide EVAL-ADRF5534
ORDERING INFORMATION
ESD Caution
ESD (electrostatic discharge) sensitive device. Charged devices and circuit boards can discharge without detection. Although this product features patented or proprietary
protection circuitry, damage may occur on devices subjected to high energy ESD. Therefore, proper ESD precautions should be taken to avoid performance degradation or loss of
functionality.
Legal Terms and Conditions
By using the evaluation board discussed herein (together with any tools, components documentation or support materials, the “Evaluation Board”), you are agreeing to be bound by the terms and
conditions set forth below (“Agreement”) unless you have purchased the Evaluation Board, in which case the Analog Devices Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale shall govern. Do not use the
Evaluation Board until you have read and agreed to the Agreement. Your use of the Evaluation Board shall signify your acceptance of the Agreement. This Agreement is made by and between you
(“Customer”) and Analog Devices, Inc. (“ADI”), with its principal place of business at Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, ADI hereby grants to Customer a free, limited, personal,
temporary, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-transferable license to use the Evaluation Board FOR EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY. Customer understands and agrees that the Evaluation
Board is provided for the sole and exclusive purpose referenced above, and agrees not to use the Evaluation Board for any other purpose. Furthermore, the license granted is expressly made
subject to the following additional limitations: Customer shall not (i) rent, lease, display, sell, transfer, assign, sublicense, or distribute the Evaluation Board; and (ii) permit any Third Party to access
the Evaluation Board. As used herein, the term “Third Party” includes any entity other than ADI, Customer, their employees, affiliates and in-house consultants. The Evaluation Board is NOT sold
to Customer; all rights not expressly granted herein, including ownership of the Evaluation Board, are reserved by ADI. CONFIDENTIALITY. This Agreement and the Evaluation Board shall all be
considered the confidential and proprietary information of ADI. Customer may not disclose or transfer any portion of the Evaluation Board to any other party for any reason. Upon discontinuation
of use of the Evaluation Board or termination of this Agreement, Customer agrees to promptly return the Evaluation Board to ADI. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS. Customer may not disassemble,
decompile or reverse engineer chips on the Evaluation Board. Customer shall inform ADI of any occurred damages or any modifications or alterations it makes to the Evaluation Board, including
but not limited to soldering or any other activity that affects the material content of the Evaluation Board. Modifications to the Evaluation Board must comply with applicable law, including but
not limited to the RoHS Directive. TERMINATION. ADI may terminate this Agreement at any time upon giving written notice to Customer. Customer agrees to return to ADI the Evaluation Board
at that time. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. THE EVALUATION BOARD PROVIDED HEREUNDER IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND ADI MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY
KIND WITH RESPECT TO IT. ADI SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS, ENDORSEMENTS, GUARANTEES, OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATED TO THE
EVALUATION BOARD INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NONINFRINGEMENT OF
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. IN NO EVENT WILL ADI AND ITS LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING
FROM CUSTOMER’S POSSESSION OR USE OF THE EVALUATION BOARD, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS, DELAY COSTS, LABOR COSTS OR LOSS OF GOODWILL.
ADI’S TOTAL LIABILITY FROM ANY AND ALL CAUSES SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED US DOLLARS ($100.00). EXPORT. Customer agrees that it will not directly or
indirectly export the Evaluation Board to another country, and that it will comply with all applicable United States federal laws and regulations relating to exports. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding conflict of law rules). Any legal action regarding this Agreement will
be heard in the state or federal courts having jurisdiction in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and Customer hereby submits to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts. The United Nations
Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall not apply to this Agreement and is expressly disclaimed.
©2023 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks and
registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
One Analog Way, Wilmington, MA 01887-2356, U.S.A.
Rev. 0 | 7 of 7
BILL OF MATERIALS
Table 4.
Reference Designator Description Manufacturer Part Number
ANT, RX, TERM PCB mount SMA connectors Johnson/Cinch Connectivity Solutions 142-0701-851
THRU1, THRU2 PCB mount SMA connectors, do not
install (DNI)
Johnson/Cinch Connectivity Solutions 142-0701-851
C3, C6 100 pF capacitors, 50 V, 0402 package KEMET C0402C101J5GACTU
C4 4.7 µF capacitors, 10 V, 0402 package TDK C1005X5R1A475K050BC
CTRL, VDD, GND Surface-mount test points Keystone Electronics 5016
U1 3.1 GHz to 4.2 GHz, receiver front end Analog Devices, Inc. ADRF5534
PCB Printed circuit board Analog Devices 08-070678B