ALLPCB
Overview
Maxim introduced the MAX2991, a fully integrated analog front end (AFE) designed for power-line communication applications using OFDM-based signals. The integrated AFE targets remote monitoring and control use cases in smart-grid and building automation systems, including automated meter management (AMM), home and industrial automation, HVAC control, lighting control, and sensor control and data acquisition (SCADA). Compared with earlier discrete designs, the integrated AFE can reduce overall bill-of-materials cost by more than 50%.
Transmitter and Receiver Architecture
MAX2991 includes one transmit channel and one receive channel. The transmit channel contains a digital IIR filter followed by a 10-bit DAC, a low-pass filter, and a front-end driver. The receive channel includes a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, a two-stage automatic gain control (AGC), and a 10-bit ADC.
The integrated AGC increases the usable dynamic range by up to 60 dB to enable small-signal detection for long-range communication and to allow signals to pass through mid-voltage to low-voltage transformers.
Filtering and Standards Support
Programmable low-pass filters remove out-of-band noise and select the required frequency band to meet smart-grid requirements. The programmable filters support operation across the 10 kHz to 490 kHz range, accommodating regional communication standards such as CENELEC, FCC, and ARIB.
Compatibility, Integration, and Packaging
When used with Maxim's PHY/MAC digital baseband transceivers (MAX2990 and the G3-compliant MAX2992), the MAX2991 forms a power-line communication (PLC) solution intended for reliable PLC deployment. The device is designed to operate without external control in many cases, simplifying integration with third-party PHYs. MAX2991 is supplied in a 48-pin LQFP package and operates over an extended temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.
