The MAX2016 is characterized down to 100MHz and the linearity of the device, as shown in the Typical Operating Characteristic plots in the datasheet, can be replicated using the evaluation kit as is. Some customers are interested in using the device lower than 100MHz. For use below 100MHz with the evaluation kit, one should consider increasing the input capacitors on RFINA and RFINB.
For testing, capacitors C1 and C8 were replaced with 0Ω resistors. DC blocks were used on connections to RFINA and RFINB. The DC blocks had a cutoff frequency of about 5kHz.The DC voltage of RFINA was tested and we found that the device was fairly linear down to 10MHz and not very linear below 10MHz. It is very important to note that the testing only represents 1 evaluation kit.
Changes from unit to unit and errors were not considered in this test.
In summary, the device may work down to frequencies around 10MHz with some adverse linearity. It is up to the customer to determine if this would still work in their system. We do not have any other data to indicate results on unit-to-unit variation and error.