ADEX-10L+ - 10-1000 MHz SMT Double Balanced Mixer | Mini-Circuits
MPN: ADEX-10L+ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.95 | $6.95 |
| 10 | $6.25 | $62.50 |
| 100 | $5.55 | $555.00 |
| 500 | $4.95 | $2,475.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.4 | $4,400.00 |
ADEX-10L+ Overview
A double-balanced mixer (DBM) is a passive frequency-translation building block that multiplies two input signals (RF and LO) to produce sum and difference products at the IF port. By using a diode ring or balun-based topology, the DBM suppresses the LO signal at the RF and IF ports and rejects even-order intermodulation products, providing high port-to-port isolation and excellent spurious performance. The ADEX-10L+ family of mixers is widely used in upconverters, downconverters, modulators, demodulators, and phase detectors in both commercial and industrial RF subsystems.
Key specifications include typical LO-RF isolation of 35 dB (midband), conversion loss around 8 dB typical, IP3 in the +13 to +17 dBm range, and 1 dB compression point near +1 dBm. Operating temperature ranges from -40°C to +85°C, with a storage range of -55°C to +100°C. The SMT construction eliminates the need for hand-wiring of traditional TO-style mixers and is compatible with automated reflow and pick-and-place assembly.
Typical applications include HF/VHF/UHF receiver front-ends, frequency-agile signal generators, RF power monitors, cable-television (CATV) infrastructure, software-defined radio (SDR) platforms, instrumentation, and laboratory test equipment. Its wide 10-1000 MHz RF/LO band makes it a versatile general-purpose mixer for both narrowband and broadband signal chains. Compared to active mixer ICs, the ADEX-10L+ offers higher linearity (IP3) at the expense of requiring external LO drive and DC bias considerations.
When designing with the ADEX-10L+, pay close attention to LO drive level (typically +7 dBm to +13 dBm), port impedance matching to 50 ohms, and IF filtering to remove image and LO-leakage products. Surface-mount mixers require careful PCB layout with controlled-impedance traces and solid ground planes to achieve rated isolation and conversion-loss performance. Use of balun transformers or balanced amplifier chains upstream improves overall system noise figure.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, validated drop-in alternatives, and practical PCB/layout design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a one-stop reference for the ADEX-10L+.
Drop-in alternatives for ADEX-10L+ — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
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ADEX-10L+ Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Function | Double-balanced RF mixer (Level 4) |
| RF Frequency Range | 10 MHz to 1000 MHz |
| LO Frequency Range | 10 MHz to 1000 MHz |
| IF Frequency Range | DC to 1000 MHz |
| LO-RF Isolation (typ.) | 35 dB (midband) |
| IP3 (typ.) | +13 to +17 dBm |
| Input P1dB (typ.) | +1 dBm |
| RF Input Power (max) | 50 mW (+17 dBm) |
| DC Current (max) | 40 mA |
| LO Drive Level | +7 dBm to +13 dBm (typ.) |
| Impedance | 50 ohm |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Storage Temperature | -55°C to +100°C |
| Package / Case Style | FV1201A-1 (Mini-Circuits SMT, ceramic-compatible) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant ("+" suffix) |
| Lead Finish | Lead-free / Matte Tin |
ADEX-10L+ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RF — RF input port (10-1000 MHz), 50 ohm |
| Pin 2 | GND — Ground / DC return |
| Pin 3 | LO — Local oscillator input (10-1000 MHz), 50 ohm, +7 to +13 dBm |
| Pin 4 | GND — Ground / DC return |
| Pin 5 | IF — IF output (DC-1000 MHz), 50 ohm |
| Pin 6 | GND — Ground / DC return / case ground |
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Storage Temperature | -55°C to +100°C |
Power input and thermal parameters for ADEX-10L+ as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
ADEX-10L+ is suitable for 6 applications: HF/VHF/UHF Receiver Front-End, Upconverter for Transmitter Chains, Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Platforms, RF Power Monitors and Detectors, CATV Infrastructure and Head-End Equipment, Test and Measurement Instrumentation.
HF/VHF/UHF Receiver Front-End
The ADEX-10L+ functions as the first downconversion stage in HF/VHF/UHF superheterodyne receivers, where its 10-1000 MHz RF/LO bandwidth and DC-1000 MHz IF accommodate everything from AM broadcast to L-band signals. With typical LO-RF isolation of 35 dB, it suppresses LO leakage into the antenna path, reducing spurious radiation that could violate regulatory masks. Its 50 mW RF input rating and +1 dBm P1dB make it tolerant of front-end filter losses without saturating. Compared to active mixers, the passive DBM topology provides superior IP3 (+13 to +17 dBm) for crowded band conditions.
Recommended
Upconverter for Transmitter Chains
In transmitter upconverters, the ADEX-10L+ shifts a baseband or IF signal up to the 10-1000 MHz transmit band by mixing it against a clean LO. Its double-balanced topology rejects LO leakage at the RF output by typically 35 dB, simplifying compliance with FCC and ETSI spectral masks. The wide IF bandwidth (DC-1000 MHz) supports both analog and digital modulation formats including SSB, FM, QAM, and OFDM. The +1 dBm P1dB allows moderate signal swings without distortion, while the 50 ohm port impedance simplifies inter-stage matching.
Recommended
Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Platforms
The ADEX-10L+ is widely deployed in SDR platforms where its broad RF/LO coverage (10-1000 MHz) supports multiple amateur, broadcast, ISM, and aviation bands with a single mixer stage. Its passive diode-ring design avoids the noise penalty of active mixers, preserving the noise figure budget set by the LNA. The DC-coupled IF allows direct sampling of low-IF or zero-IF architectures, while its 35 dB isolation eases image-reject filter design. Combined with a wideband LO synthesizer, it forms a flexible general-purpose SDR mixer building block.
Recommended
RF Power Monitors and Detectors
The ADEX-10L+ can be configured as an RF power monitor by mixing a sample of the RF signal with a fixed LO and measuring the resulting IF amplitude on a logarithmic detector. Its 50 mW rating and +17 dBm absolute maximum make it tolerant of moderately high signal levels, while the DC-coupled IF enables true-envelope detection. Compared to dedicated power-detector ICs, the DBM approach offers broadband coverage (one part covers multiple decades) and excellent temperature stability. This technique is common in transmitter power-control loops and antenna VSWR sensing.
Recommended
CATV Infrastructure and Head-End Equipment
In cable-television head-ends and distribution amplifiers, the ADEX-10L+ serves as a frequency-translation stage for channel upconversion, downconversion, and signal conditioning across the 10-1000 MHz cable band. Its double-balanced topology delivers the high port-to-port isolation needed to suppress LO leakage into adjacent channels, preserving carrier-to-noise ratios. The ceramic-compatible SMT package supports automated assembly of high-density head-end line cards. With IP3 of +13 to +17 dBm, it tolerates the high signal density of multi-carrier CATV spectrums.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
In laboratory bench equipment such as scalar network analyzers, frequency counters, and signal generators, the ADEX-10L+ provides a wideband, repeatable mixer function for heterodyne measurement architectures. Its DC-1000 MHz IF enables direct digitizer interfacing, while its 50 ohm port impedance matches standard test instrumentation. The low LO drive requirement (+7 to +13 dBm) simplifies integration with built-in synthesizers, and its robust 50 mW RF rating protects the mixer during signal-source calibrations. Engineers value the ADEX-10L+ for its documented S-parameters and broadband flatness in instrumentation designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ADEX-10L+ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ADEX-10 | ADEX-10L | ADE-10L+ | ADE-R5L+ | ADE-1L+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package / Case Style | FV1201A-1 (SMT, 6-pad) | FV1201A-1 (same) | FV1201A-1 (same) | FV1201A-1 (same) | FV1201A-1 (same) | FV1201A-1 (same) |
| Brand | Mini-Circuits | Mini-Circuits | Mini-Circuits | Mini-Circuits | Mini-Circuits | Mini-Circuits |
| RF/LO Frequency Range | 10 - 1000 MHz | 10 - 1000 MHz | 10 - 1000 MHz | 5 - 1000 MHz (-5% lower edge) | DC - 1000 MHz | 0.5 - 500 MHz (-50% upper edge) |
| IF Frequency Range | DC - 1000 MHz | DC - 1000 MHz | DC - 1000 MHz | DC - 1000 MHz | DC - 1000 MHz | DC - 500 MHz |
| LO-RF Isolation (typ.) | 35 dB | 35 dB | 35 dB | 40 dB (typ.) | 30 dB (typ.) | 40 dB (typ.) |
| RF Input Power (max) | 50 mW | 50 mW | 50 mW | 50 mW | 50 mW | 50 mW |
| DC Current (max) | 40 mA | 40 mA | 40 mA | 40 mA | 40 mA | 40 mA |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C | -40°C to +85°C |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes ("+" suffix) | No | No | Yes ("+") | Yes ("+") | Yes ("+") |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount | Surface Mount |
Key Differentiators
- RoHS lead-free compliance ("+" suffix) versus legacy ADEX-10 (vs ADEX-10)
- Full 10-1000 MHz RF/LO bandwidth with 35 dB midband isolation (vs ADE-10L+)
- Same FV1201A-1 case and footprint as ADE-1L+ family (vs ADE-1L+)
Design Notes
Use controlled-impedance 50 ohm microstrip or coplanar-waveguide traces on RF, LO, and IF ports, with a continuous ground plane directly beneath the FV1201A-1 footprint. According to Mini-Circuits application notes, keep traces short to minimize LO radiation, stitch multiple vias around the ground pads, and avoid routing digital signals under the mixer. A small series resistor (5-10 ohm) on the LO port can dampen return-loss resonances and improve port match. Estimated: assuming FR-4 with er=4.3 and 0.8 mm thickness, a 1.4 mm-wide microstrip yields 50 ohm.
Drive the LO with a clean +7 to +13 dBm source with low phase noise; LO phase noise directly adds to the IF output through reciprocal mixing and can degrade receiver sensitivity by tens of dB in narrow-bandwidth IF stages. Buffer the LO source with a driver amplifier if its output power is marginal, and place the mixer close to the LO output to minimize radiated LO leakage that could couple into the RF chain. Add a band-pass filter on the LO port to suppress LO harmonics.
Although the ADEX-10L+ is a passive device dissipating only milliwatts, ensure that RF input power does not exceed the 50 mW absolute maximum under any fault condition. A limiter or PIN-diode attenuator upstream protects the mixer from out-of-band interference or antenna fault events. Operating temperature range is -40°C to +85°C; at the high-temperature extreme, expect about 0.5 dB increase in conversion loss due to diode characteristics. Estimated: at 50 mW into 50 ohm the port voltage swing is ~2.2 Vrms, well below diode breakdown.
Do not apply DC bias to the RF, LO, or IF ports; the ADEX-10L+ is a passive DBM and DC current must be limited to the 40 mA absolute maximum to prevent damage to the internal balun transformers. Ensure that any DC-blocking or DC-bias networks on adjacent stages are designed to present a DC-blocked or DC-grounded path to the mixer ports. Verify LO drive level before applying RF; an under-driven LO degrades conversion loss and isolation, while an over-driven LO increases spurious content.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Mini-Circuits "+" suffix convention. REACH compliance per EU SVHC declaration. AEC-Q100 not applicable (RF passive component). Halogen-free and conflict-minerals status not explicitly stated in provided data.
