Selecting the SPI clock mode for the MAXQ2000 microcontroller and MAX1132 ADC interface

The MAXQ2000 can interface with the MAX1132 using different clock modes: 8-bit, 16-bit, or a combination of both. This application note describes how to select an SPI™ clock mode that will optimize the performance of the MAX1132. Included in the application notes are complete schematics and microcontroller firmware, as well as an example C program that was written and assembled for the IAR Embedded Workbench® for MAXQ®.

Telecom hot-swap reference design effectively solves the problem of instantaneous input overvoltage and power outage

This 80W telecom hot-swap reference design is immune to 150V input-voltage transients and 16ms power dropouts. Additional features include -32V to -72V operation, two-diode OR-ing input, and an inrush current that is ≤ 1.5 times the full -load current. Included are a detailed schematic, representative PCB layout, bill of materials, waveforms detailing actual performance at startup, -150V input transient, and full-load holdup at power loss.

Choosing the Right 1-Wire Host for Your Embedded Application

This application note presents four categories of 1-Wire master circuits for embedded applications and discusses their capabilities and requirements in relation to available (ie, unused) system resources. The schematics shown here apply to short networks that do not extend beyond the radius of 1 meter and are populated with a small number of 1-Wire slaves. Instructions and a decision worksheet are included to identify the most cost-effective 1-Wire master for the application. The reader should be familiar with the basics of 1-Wire communication and microcontrollers.

MAX2165 DMB-TH USB Dongle Reference Design

This compact USB dongle design combines a MAX2165 direct-conversion tuner and a DMB-TH demodulator. The design converts a UHF signal (470MHz to 858MHz) to a MPEG-2 transport stream. Then the USB interface enables video viewing on a laptop or desktop computer.

DVB-T reference design based on MAX3580

MAX3541 DVB-T/PAL Tuner

The MAX3541 is an integrated, single-conversion terrestrial tuner IC for DVB-T and PAL. The device is designed to convert input signals in the VHF-Low, VHF-High, and UHF bands to an IF frequency of 36MHz. The MAX3541 is designed for television, analog/digital terrestrial receiver, and digital set-top box applications.

802.11b/g RF front-end module reference design using the MAX2830

This module uses the highly integrated MAX2830 RF transceiver. It is a complete RF front-end solution that meets the WLAN IEEE^SM 802.11b/g standard. The transmitter can deliver more than 15dBm Tx power at EVM < 5.6% with a 54Mbps OFDM 802.11g signal. The receiver can provide an IQ signal EVM < 9% with a -74.5dBm 54Mbps OFDM 802.11g signal.

900MHz full-duplex wireless transmitter reference design

This reference design covers the design of a transmitter inside a 900MHz full-duplex radio using the MAX2902 single-chip transmitter. The MAX2902 is designed for use in the 868MHz to 915MHz frequency band, and complies with FCC CFR47 part 15.247 902MHz to 928MHz ISM band specifications. The reference design is capable of delivering more than +19dBm with V _CC = 2.9V and I _CC = 170mA, and +20dBm with V _CC = 3.3V and I _CC = 190mA, while meeting 14dB of CNR (1.22Mbps BPSK) at 10:1 VSWR (all angles).

MAX2120 DVB-S Half-NIM Tuner Reference Design

This reference design is a commercial Half-NIM DVB-S tuner that uses Maxim's MAX2120 satellite tuner IC. The reference design connects to the motherboard through a 12-pin connector. The downconverted satellite signal from the LNB is supplied to an active, discrete loop-through, which splits the signal into two paths. One signal goes to the MAX2120 and the other provides an additional output from the STB.

5-channel (3 +V and 2 -V) hot-swap reference design

This article presents a five-channel hot-swap circuit that handles both positive and negative input voltages with sequential turn-on. The unique configuration allows two negative-voltage channels not protected by circuit breakers, in addition to three positive-voltage channels, to be controlled by a single MAX5927A positive-voltage hot-swap controller. The included test data verifies that the circuit meets the described load and power-sequencing requirements of the five channels.

WiBro reference design built with the MAX2837

The WiBro™ reference design is a complete RF front-end solution designed to meet requirements for the WiBro 2.3GHz to 2.4GHz mobile WMAN (Wireless Metropolitan Area Network) standard. This reference design uses the MAX2837 direct-conversion transceiver and demonstrates a complete WiBro single-band RF-to-baseband solution. It serves as a platform for designs in multiple form factors such as CardBus, miniPCI, and custom CPE modules. The design can be easily adapted for WiBro-only 3.3V laptop applications, or WiBro- only 5.0V CPE applications.

Verification and implementation of I²C bus

This application note briefly reviews the history of the I2C bus. It then presents I2C configurations proven to ensure easy communication between the master and slaves on the bus. Examples include schematics and code. Appendix 1 contains helpful definitions of terms used in this article.

GPS USB Reference Design Using the MAX2769

The MAX2769 is a low-cost, single-conversion, low-IF frequency GPS receiver that provides 115dB cascaded gain and a 1.4dB cascaded NF. The MAX2769 GPS USB reference design, working together with the GeotateSM GPS software installed in a PC or laptop, forms a complete low-cost high-sensitivity GPS solution. The reference design provides high-precision position information with quick acquisition times. It demonstrates the excellent capabilities of the MAX2769 in a full GPS receiver design.

MAX2830 WLAN Reference Design

This reference design is a complete RF front-end solution designed to meet the WLAN IEEE® 802.11b/g standard. Using the MAX2830 RF transceiver, the design is capable of accommodating full range of 802.11g OFDM data rates (6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54Mbps) and 802.11b QPSK data rates (1, 2, 5.5, and 11Mbps). This solution offers high performance, small size, and low BOM cost.

MAX2769 GPS Reference Design

This reference design is a complete RF front-end solution for a GPS receiver using Maxim's MAX2769 GPS receiver chip. The MAX2769 is a low cost, single conversion, low IF GPS receiver that offers two integrated LNAs with different specifications, I/Q channel filters with variable bandwidth and order, and a digital IF output that supports 1-bit and 2-bit operation. This reference design offers high performance, small size, and low BOM cost.

DVB-T Receiver Reference Design for the MAX3580

The MAX3580 DVB-T reference design meets NorDig 1.0.3 and MBRAI requirements. This NIM design includes the MAX3580 direct-conversion tuner and a DVB-T demodulator/decoder. A discrete, active loop-through with low power consumption and low cost is included. Target applications include digital televisions, digital terrestrial set-tops, laptop televisions, automotive televisions, and USB peripherals.

Simplifying lithium-ion (Li+) battery charger testing

Because the charging process for Li+ batteries can take an hour or longer, testing a Li+ battery charger using its natural load (i.e., a battery) is time consuming and inconvenient. This application note presents a simple circuit for simulating the behavior of a Li+ battery, thus providing a more convenient method for testing Li+ battery chargers than using real batteries.

Design a car cold start boost circuit using the MAX15005 current mode controller

This reference design shows how to use a MAX15005 automotive power-supply controller as a boost circuit to maintain a constant voltage during an automotive cold-crank condition.

Support high-gain applications using rejustors and precision instrumentation amplifiers

This article shows how to use a zero-drift, precision, instrumentation amplifier with a pair of rejustors (passive electrically-adjustable resistors) and gain-setting resistors to ensure high accuracy. The MAX4208 precision instrumentation amplifier serves as the example device. Experiments are described and test results presented.

MR-16 LED driver and 5V auxiliary supply for powering pulsed LED coolers

This application note presents a reference design for a 4S1P MR-16 LED driver that provides 750mA to a string of four white LEDs (WLEDs). The circuit operates from a 24V source and is based around the MAX16820 hysteretic LED driver. Also included is a MAX5033 24V-to-5V, 150mA switching power supply to power a Nuventix® pulsating LED cooler.