AD8344ACPZ - 400MHz-1.2GHz Active Mixer | Analog Devices
MPN: AD8344ACPZ β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.5 | $6.50 |
| 10 | $5.85 | $58.50 |
| 100 | $4.95 | $495.00 |
| 500 | $4.2 | $2,100.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.75 | $3,750.00 |
Drop-in alternatives for AD8344ACPZ β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
AD8344ACPZ-REEL7
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD8344ACPZ-WP
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX2682
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD8343ACPZ
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ADL5350ACPZ
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AD8344ACPZ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| RF Frequency Range | 400 MHz to 1.2 GHz |
| Conversion Gain | 4 dB (typical) |
| Noise Figure | 11 dB |
| Input IP3 | +24 dBm |
| Input P1dB | +8 dBm |
| LO Drive Level | 0 dBm |
| LO Input Impedance | 50 Ξ© |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40Β°C to +85Β°C |
| Package | 16-LFCSP-VQ (3x3 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of Terminals | 16 |
| Technology | SiGe Bipolar |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| REACH Status | Compliant |
AD8344ACPZ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RFIN β RF input |
| Pin 2 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 3 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 4 | LOIN β LO input |
| Pin 5 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 6 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 7 | IFOUT β IF output |
| Pin 8 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 9 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 10 | VPOS β Positive supply |
| Pin 11 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 12 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 13 | BIAS β Bias control |
| Pin 14 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 15 | GND β Ground |
| Pin 16 | GND β Ground |
Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics
No official SOA curve available for this component. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.
Typical Applications
AD8344ACPZ is suitable for 6 applications: Cellular Base Station Receivers, ISM Band Receivers, Point-to-Point Radio, Software-Defined Radio (SDR), Test and Measurement Equipment, Military and Aerospace Communications.
Cellular Base Station Receivers
The AD8344ACPZ is ideal for cellular base station receivers operating in the 400 MHz to 1.2 GHz range. Its high input IP3 of +24 dBm ensures it can handle strong adjacent-channel interferers without significant intermodulation distortion, maintaining receiver linearity. The 4 dB conversion gain reduces the need for additional IF amplification, simplifying the receiver chain. The low LO drive requirement of 0 dBm minimizes the burden on the LO synthesizer, reducing power consumption and cost. The device's broadband RF port supports multi-band operation, making it versatile for base stations that cover multiple cellular bands. Its industrial temperature range of -40Β°C to +85Β°C ensures reliable operation in outdoor base station environments.
Recommended
ISM Band Receivers
For ISM band receivers operating at 915 MHz or 2.4 GHz (with appropriate LO), the AD8344ACPZ provides a high-linearity down-conversion solution. Its 400 MHz to 1.2 GHz RF range covers the 915 MHz ISM band, and the 11 dB noise figure is acceptable for many short-range applications. The integrated LO driver with 50 Ξ© input impedance simplifies the interface to a VCO or PLL, reducing external matching components. The device's small 3x3 mm LFCSP package is ideal for compact IoT modules. The external bias control allows the designer to reduce power consumption in battery-powered devices, trading off linearity for longer battery life. This makes the AD8344ACPZ a flexible choice for ISM band receivers in smart meters, wireless sensors, and remote controls.
Recommended
Point-to-Point Radio
In point-to-point microwave radios, the AD8344ACPZ is used in the receiver front-end to down-convert RF signals to an intermediate frequency. Its broadband RF port covers the 400 MHz to 1.2 GHz range, which is common for licensed and unlicensed point-to-point links. The high input IP3 of +24 dBm ensures the mixer can handle strong signals without compression, maintaining link reliability. The 4 dB conversion gain helps overcome losses in the IF filter and subsequent stages. The device's low LO drive requirement simplifies the LO distribution network, reducing cost and complexity. The industrial temperature range makes it suitable for outdoor radio units that experience wide temperature variations. The compact package allows for dense PCB layouts in radio modules.
Recommended
Software-Defined Radio (SDR)
The AD8344ACPZ is well-suited for software-defined radio receivers that need to cover a wide frequency range. Its 400 MHz to 1.2 GHz RF input allows it to down-convert signals from various bands, including cellular, ISM, and public safety. The broadband performance and high linearity make it a flexible front-end component for SDR platforms. The low LO drive requirement simplifies the interface to a wideband synthesizer, enabling rapid frequency hopping. The device's small package and low power consumption are advantageous for portable SDR devices. The external bias control allows the designer to optimize performance for different operating modes, such as high-linearity or low-power. This makes the AD8344ACPZ a key building block in multi-band, multi-standard SDR receivers.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Equipment
In test and measurement equipment such as spectrum analyzers and signal generators, the AD8344ACPZ can be used in the receiver path for signal analysis. Its wide RF bandwidth and high linearity allow it to handle a variety of signals without distortion. The 4 dB conversion gain helps maintain signal levels for accurate measurement. The device's low LO drive requirement simplifies the design of the internal LO source. The industrial temperature range ensures stable performance in benchtop and field instruments. The compact package is suitable for modular instrument designs. The external bias control allows the designer to adjust the mixer's operating point for optimal performance in different measurement scenarios, such as high-sensitivity or high-linearity modes.
Recommended
Military and Aerospace Communications
The AD8344ACPZ is suitable for military and aerospace communication systems that require reliable performance over a wide temperature range and high linearity. Its 400 MHz to 1.2 GHz RF range covers many tactical communication bands. The high input IP3 of +24 dBm ensures the mixer can handle strong jamming signals without desensitization. The device's industrial temperature range of -40Β°C to +85Β°C meets the requirements for many defense applications. The small package and low power consumption are beneficial for portable and space-constrained platforms. The external bias control allows for power management in battery-operated equipment. The device's proven SiGe technology provides robust performance in harsh environments, making it a trusted choice for mission-critical communication links.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for AD8344ACPZ β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | AD8344ACPZ-REEL7 | AD8344ACPZ-WP | MAX2682 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 16-LFCSP-VQ (3x3 mm) | 16-LFCSP-VQ (3x3 mm) | 16-LFCSP-VQ (3x3 mm) | 16-LFCSP-VQ (3x3 mm) |
| Brand | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Analog Devices | Maxim Integrated |
| RF Frequency Range | 400 MHz to 1.2 GHz | 400 MHz to 1.2 GHz | 400 MHz to 1.2 GHz | 400 MHz to 2.5 GHz |
| Conversion Gain | 4 dB | 4 dB | 4 dB | 8 dB |
| Noise Figure | 11 dB | 11 dB | 11 dB | 7 dB |
| Input IP3 | +24 dBm | +24 dBm | +24 dBm | +15 dBm |
| LO Drive Level | 0 dBm | 0 dBm | 0 dBm | -10 dBm |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V | 5 V | 5 V | 3 V to 5.5 V |
Key Differentiators
- High input IP3 of +24 dBm (vs MAX2682)
- Broadband RF range up to 1.2 GHz (vs AD8343ACPZ)
- Integrated LO driver with 50 Ξ© input (vs ADL5350ACPZ)
Design Notes
For optimal performance, place decoupling capacitors (100 pF and 0.1 uF) as close as possible to the VPOS pin (pin 10) and ensure a solid ground plane under the exposed pad. The LFCSP package has an exposed pad that should be soldered to the ground plane for thermal and electrical grounding. Follow the layout guidelines in the AD8344 datasheet to minimize parasitic inductance on the RF, LO, and IF ports.
The AD8344ACPZ operates from a 5V supply. Ensure the supply is clean and well-regulated, as noise on the supply can degrade the mixer's noise figure and linearity. Use a low-dropout regulator (LDO) to provide a stable 5V rail, and add a ferrite bead in series with the supply to filter high-frequency noise. The external bias control pin (pin 13) can be used to reduce power consumption in low-power modes, but this will also reduce linearity.
Do not exceed the absolute maximum supply voltage of 5.5V, as this can damage the device. Ensure the LO drive level is close to 0 dBm; excessive LO drive can degrade linearity and increase spurious emissions. The RF input should be AC-coupled to avoid DC bias issues. Also, verify that the IF output is properly terminated to the characteristic impedance of the following stage to avoid reflections and gain ripple.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per part number suffix 'Z'. REACH compliance assumed based on Analog Devices policy, but not explicitly stated in provided data.