AD8331/AD8332/AD8334
Rev. G | Page 39 of 56
AD8331 EVALUATION BOARD
03
19
9-
1
15
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The
AD8331 evaluation board is a platform for testing and
evaluating the
AD8331 variable gain amplifier (VGA). The
board is provided completely assembled and tested; the user
simply connects an input signal, VGAIN sources, and a 5 V
power supply. The AD8331-EVALZ is lead free and RoHS
compliant.
Figure 95 is a photograph of the board.
USER-SUPPLIED OPTIONAL COMPONENTS
As shown in the schematic in
Figure 96, the board provides for
optional components. The components shown in black are for
typical operation, and the components shown in gray are
installed at the user’s discretion.
As shipped, the LNA input impedance of the AD8331-EVALZ is
configured for 50 Ω to accommodate most signal generators and
network analyzers. Input impedances up to 6 kΩ are realized by
changing the values of RFB and CSH. Refer to the
Theory offor typical values of input impedance and corresponding
components.
Figure 95. Photograph of AD8331-EVALZ
MEASUREMENT SETUP
The basic board connection for measuring bandwidth is shown
in
Figure 97. A 5 V, 100 mA minimum power supply and a low
noise, voltage reference supply for GAIN are required.
Table 10lists jumpers, and
Figure 97 shows their functions and positions.
Table 9. LNA External Component Values for Common
Source Impedances
The preferred signal detection method is a differential probe
connected to VO, as shown in
Figure 97. Single-ended loads can be
connected using the board edge SMA connector, VOH. Be sure to
take into account the 25.8 dB attenuation incurred when using the
board in this manner. For connection to an ADC, the 270 Ω series
resistors can be replaced with 0 Ω or other appropriate values.
RIN (Ω)
RFB (Ω, Nearest 1% Value)
CSH (pF)
50
274
22
75
412
12
100
562
8
200
1.13 k
1.2
500
3.01 k
None
6 k
∞
None
Table 10. Jumper Functions
Switch
Function
LNA_EN
Enables the LNA when in the top position
VGA_EN
Enables the VGA when in the top position
W5, W6
Connects the
AD8331 outputs to the SMA connectors
GN_SLOPE
Left = gain increases with VGAIN
Right = gain decreases with VGAIN
GN_HI_LO
Left = high gain
Right = LO gain
The board is designed for 0603 size, surface-mount components.
Back-to-back diodes can be installed at Location D3 if desired.
To evaluate the LNA as a standalone amplifier, install optional
SMA connectors LON and LOP and capacitors C1 and C2;
typical values are 0.1 μF or smaller. At R4 and R8, 0 Ω resistors
are installed unless capacitive loads larger than 10 pF are connected
to the SMA connectors LON and LOP (such as coaxial cables).
In that event, small value resistors (68 Ω to 100 Ω) must be
installed at R4 and R8 to preserve the stability of the amplifier.
BOARD LAYOUT
The evaluation board circuitry uses four conductor layers. The
two inner layers are grounded, and all interconnecting circuitry
the copper patterns.
A resistor can be inserted at RCLMP if output clamping is
desired. Refer to
Table 8 for appropriate values.