Date: 12/05/2010

Analog front-end IC for narrowband OFDM powerline communication

Maxim has introduced the MAX2991 analog front-end (AFE) specifically designed for OFDM-based signal transmission over power lines. Maxim says that this product provides high performance thus challenging powerline-communication market, while reducing total AFE cost by more than 50% as compared to earlier discrete versions.

The MAX2991is designed for remote monitoring and control applications such as automatic meter management (AMM). It has a transmit and a receive path. The transmit path consists of a digital IIR filter, a 10-bit DAC, lowpass filter, and predrive and the receive path consists of a lowpass filter, highpass filter, two-stage automatic gain control (AGC), and 10-bit ADC. The AGC can adjusts signals up to the dynamic range of 60dB allowing low level signal detection in long-range communication applications. The low pass filter removes any out of band (OOB) noise and selects the desired frequency band for the application. It also support operation in the 10kHz to 490kHz band with worldwide standards such as CENELEC, FCC, and ARIB. It combines with Maxim's PHY/MAC digital baseband transceivers to deliver PLC solutions. Its features also allows operation without any external control.

Package: 48-pin LQFP

Price: starts at US$6.50

Availability: Now

For more information visit: www.maxim-ic.com.