RF COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS

SA612A
Double-balanced mixer and oscillator
Product specification
Replaces data of September 17, 1990 1997 Nov 07
IC17 Data Handbook

Philips Semiconductors
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer and oscillator SA612A

DESCRIPTION PIN CONFIGURATION

The SA612A is a low-power VHF monolithic double-balanced mixer D, N Packages
with on-board oscillator and voltage regulator. It is intended for low
cost, low power communication systems with signal frequencies to
INPUT A 1 8 VCC
500MHz and local oscillator frequencies as high as 200MHz. The
mixer is a Gilbert cell multiplier configuration which provides gain INPUT B 2 7 OSCILLATOR

of 14dB or more at 45MHz. GND 3 6 OSCILLATOR

The oscillator can be configured for a crystal, a tuned tank OUTPUT A 4 5 OUTPUT B

operation, or as a buffer for an external L.O. Noise figure at 45MHz SR00098

is typically below 6dB and makes the device well suited for high
Figure 1. Pin Configuration
performance cordless phone/cellular radio. The low power
consumption makes the SA612A excellent for battery operated
equipment. Networking and other communications products can
benefit from very low radiated energy levels within systems. The
APPLICATIONS
SA612A is available in an 8-lead dual in-line plastic package and an Cordless telephone
8-lead SO (surface mounted miniature package).
Portable radio
VHF transceivers
FEATURES RF data links
Low current consumption
Sonabuoys
Low cost
Communications receivers
Operation to 500MHz
Broadband LANs
Low radiated energy
HF and VHF frequency conversion
Low external parts count; suitable for crystal/ceramic filter
Cellular radio mixer/oscillator
Excellent sensitivity, gain, and noise figure

ORDERING INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION TEMPERATURE RANGE ORDER CODE DWG #
8-Pin Plastic Dual In-Line Plastic (DIP) -40 to +85C SA612AN SOT97-1
8-Pin Plastic Small Outline (SO) package (Surface-Mount) -40 to +85C SA612AD SOT96-1

BLOCK DIAGRAM

8 7 6 5
V CC

VOLTAGE OSCILLATOR
REGULATOR

GROUND
1 2 3 4
SR00099

Figure 2. Block Diagram

1997 Nov 07 2 853-0391 18662

Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer and oscillator SA612A

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

SYMBOL PARAMETER RATING UNIT
VCC Maximum operating voltage 9 V
TSTG Storage temperature -65 to +150 C
TA Operating ambient temperature range SA612A -40 to +85 C

AC/DC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

TA=25C, VCC = 6V, Figure 3
LIMITS
SYMBOL PARAMETER TEST CONDITION UNIT
Min Typ Max
VCC Power supply voltage range 4.5 8.0 V
DC current drain 2.4 3.0 mA
fIN Input signal frequency 500 MHz
fOSC Oscillator frequency 200 MHz
Noise figured at 45MHz 5.0 dB
Third-order intercept point at 45MHz RFIN=-45dBm -13 dBm
Conversion gain at 45MHz 14 17 dB
RIN RF input resistance 1.5 k
CIN RF input capacitance 3 pF
Mixer output resistance (Pin 4 or 5) 1.5 k

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION radio 2nd IF and demodulator, the SA612A is capable of receiving
The SA612A is a Gilbert cell, an oscillator/buffer, and a temperature -119dBm signals with a 12dB S/N ratio. Third-order intercept is
compensated bias network as shown in the equivalent circuit. The typically -15dBm (thats approximately +5dBm output intercept
Gilbert cell is a differential amplifier (Pins 1 and 2) which drives a because of the RF gain). The system designer must be cognizant of
balanced switching cell. The differential input stage provides gain this large signal limitation. When designing LANs or other closed
and determines the noise figure and signal handling performance of systems where transmission levels are high, and small-signal or
the system. signal-to-noise issues not critical, the input to the SA612A should be
appropriately scaled.
The SA612A is designed for optimum low power performance.
When used with the SA614A as a 45MHz cordless phone/cellular

1997 Nov 07 3
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer and oscillator SA612A

TEST CONFIGURATION
0.5 to 1.3H

22pF
34.545MHz THIRD OVERTONE CRYSTAL
1nF
5.5H 10pF
VCC

6.8F 100nF
10nF 8 7 6 5
150pF

OUTPUT
1.5 to
612A 44.2H

330pF

1 2 3 4 120pF

47pF
0.209 to
INPUT 0.283H

220pF
100nF

SR00101

Figure 3. Test Configuration

8 VCC

18k
BUFFER
6 1.5k 1.5k

7 4 5

25k

BIAS BIAS

2
1

BIAS

1.5k 1.5k
3
GND
SR00102

Figure 4. Equivalent Circuit

1997 Nov 07 4
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer and oscillator SA612A

Besides excellent low power performance well into VHF, the external signal can be injected at Pin 6 through a DC blocking
SA612A is designed to be flexible. The input, output, and oscillator capacitor. External L.O. should be 200mVP-P minimum to 300mVP-P
ports can support a variety of configurations provided the designer maximum.
understands certain constraints, which will be explained here.
Figure 7 shows several proven oscillator circuits. Figure 7a is
The RF inputs (Pins 1 and 2) are biased internally. They are appropriate for cordless phones/cellular radio. In this circuit a third
symmetrical. The equivalent AC input impedance is approximately overtone parallel-mode crystal with approximately 5pF load
1.5k || 3pF through 50MHz. Pins 1 and 2 can be used capacitance should be specified. Capacitor C3 and inductor L1 act
interchangeably, but they should not be DC biased externally. Figure as a fundamental trap. In fundamental mode oscillation the trap is
5 shows three typical input configurations. omitted.
The mixer outputs (Pins 4 and 5) are also internally biased. Each Figure 8 shows a Colpitts varacter tuned tank oscillator suitable for
output is connected to the internal positive supply by a 1.5k synthesizer-controlled applications. It is important to buffer the
resistor. This permits direct output termination yet allows for output of this circuit to assure that switching spikes from the first
balanced output as well. Figure 6 shows three single-ended output counter or prescaler do not end up in the oscillator spectrum. The
configurations and a balanced output. dual-gate MOSFET provides optimum isolation with low current.
The FET offers good isolation, simplicity, and low current, while the
The oscillator is capable of sustaining oscillation beyond 200MHz in
bipolar circuits provide the simple solution for non-critical
crystal or tuned tank configurations. The upper limit of operation is
applications. The resistive divider in the emitter-follower circuit
determined by tank Q and required drive levels. The higher the Q
should be chosen to provide the minimum input signal which will
of the tank or the smaller the required drive, the higher the
assume correct system operation.

permissible oscillation frequency. If the required L.O. is beyond

oscillation limits, or the system calls for an external L.O., the

612A 612A

612A

1 2 1 2

INPUT 1 2

a. Single-Ended Tuned Input b. Balanced Input (For Attenuation c. Single-Ended Untuned Input
of Second-Order Products)
SR00103

Figure 5. Input Configuration

1997 Nov 07 5
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer and oscillator SA612A

12pF CT*

5 5

CFU455
or Equivalent
612A 612A
Filter K&L 38780 or Equivalent
*CT matches 3.5k to next stage

4 4

a. Single-Ended Ceramic Filter b. Single-Ended Crystal Filter

5 5

612A
612A

4 4

c. Single-Ended IFT d.. Balanced Output

SR00104

Figure 6. Output Configuration

L1 C2
C3
XTAL

C1
8 7 6 5 8 7 6 5 8 7 6 5

612A 612A 612A

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
TC02101S TC02111S TC02121S

a. Colpitts Crystal Oscillator b. Colpitts L/C Tank Oscillator c. Hartley L/C Tank Oscillator
(Overtone Mode)
SR00105

Figure 7. Oscillator Circuits

1997 Nov 07 6
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer and oscillator SA612A

5.5H

+6V

10F 0.1F
0.10pF

1 8

2 7 TO
BUFFER
612A
7pF 10pF

3 6

1000pF
DC CONTROL VOLTAGE
4 5 FROM SYNTHESIZER
1000pF
0.06H
MV2105
OR EQUIVALENT

0.01F

100k 2k 3SK126
2N918
0.01pF

2N5484
2pF TO SYNTHESIZER

100k 330 0.01F

TO SYNTHESIZER
100k
1.0nF

SR00106

Figure 8. Colpitts Oscillator Suitable for Synthesizer Applications and Typical Buffers

1997 Nov 07 7
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer and oscillator SA612A

TEST CONFIGURATION

0.5 to 1.3H
22pF
5.5H 44.545MHz THIRD OVERTONE CRYSTAL
VCC 1nF 5.6pF

6.8F
100nF 10nF 8 7 6 5

612A

1 2 3 4 SFG455A3
455kHZ
OR EQUIVALENT
47pF

INPUT 0.209 to 0.283H

45MHz IN 220pF
100nF

SR00107

Figure 9. Typical Application for Cordless/Cellular Radio

1997 Nov 07 8
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer and oscillator SA612A

3.50 6.00

3.25 5.75
SUPPLY CURRENT 9mA)

4.5V

NOISE FIGURE (dB)

3.00 8.5V 5.50
6.0V
6.0V
8.5V
2.75 4.5V 5.25

2.50 5.00

2.25 4.75

2.00 4.50

1.75 4.25

1.50 4.00
40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 TEMPERATURE OC
TEMPERATURE OC
SR00108 SR00111

Figure 10. ICC vs Supply Voltage Figure 13. Noise Figure

RF1 = 45MHz, IF = 455kHz, RF2 = 45.06MHz

20.0
3rd ORDER PRODUCT
19.5 20
19.0
CONVERSION GAIN (dB)

18.5
18.0 6.0V 0
IF OUTPUT POWER (dBm)

17.5 8.5V
4.5V
17.0
16.5 20 FUND. PRODUCT
16.0
15.5
40
15.0
14.5
14.0 60
40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
TEMPERATURE OC

SR00109
80 60 40 20 0 20
Figure 11. Conversion Gain vs Supply Voltage RF INPUT LEVEL (dBm) SR00112

Figure 14. Third-Order Intercept and Compression

10.0
10.5
INPUT INTERCEPT POINT (dBm)

11.0 10
11.5
12.0 11
12.5 12
INTERCEPT (dBm)

13.0
13
13.5
14.0 14
14.5
15
15.0
15.5 16
16.0
16.5 17
17.0
40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 18

TEMPERATURE OC
SR00110 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Figure 12. Third-Order Intercept Point VCC (VOLTS)

SR00113

Figure 15. Input Third-Order Intermod Point vs VCC

1997 Nov 07 9
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer oscillator SA612

SO8: plastic small outline package; 8 leads; body width 3.9mm SOT96-1

1997 Nov 07 10
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer oscillator SA612

DIP8: plastic dual in-line package; 8 leads (300 mil) SOT97-1

1997 Nov 07 11
Philips Semiconductors Product specification

Double-balanced mixer oscillator SA612

DEFINITIONS
Data Sheet Identification Product Status Definition

This data sheet contains the design target or goal specifications for product development. Specifications
Objective Specification Formative or in Design
may change in any manner without notice.

This data sheet contains preliminary data, and supplementary data will be published at a later date. Philips
Preliminary Specification Preproduction Product Semiconductors reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice in order to improve design
and supply the best possible product.

This data sheet contains Final Specifications. Philips Semiconductors reserves the right to make changes
Product Specification Full Production
at any time without notice, in order to improve design and supply the best possible product.

Philips Semiconductors and Philips Electronics North America Corporation reserve the right to make changes, without notice, in the products,
including circuits, standard cells, and/or software, described or contained herein in order to improve design and/or performance. Philips
Semiconductors assumes no responsibility or liability for the use of any of these products, conveys no license or title under any patent, copyright,
or mask work right to these products, and makes no representations or warranties that these products are free from patent, copyright, or mask
work right infringement, unless otherwise specified. Applications that are described herein for any of these products are for illustrative purposes
only. Philips Semiconductors makes no representation or warranty that such applications will be suitable for the specified use without further testing
or modification.

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Philips Semiconductors Copyright Philips Electronics North America Corporation 1997

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1997 Nov 07 12