ADRV9009 maximum input power

Refer to the maximum power rating section in ADRV9009 datasheet. Note that 23dBm peak is the maximum power that the chip can handle without damage, but performance is not guaranteed at such high powers.

Performance is guaranteed only till a maximum of -11dbm input power at RX port. Refer below snippet from ug

Thank you for the response.  We were under the impression that the +23 dBm may require the chip to be using AGC to protect itself.  This likely came from the fact that the maximum input power is ~ greater than the max usable input by the gain control attenuator range.

However, based on the testing are concluding the +23dBm (or at least up to +18 that we tested, and not over temperature) is not dependent on AGC.  We understand that performance at signal levels past full scale input are not usable.  We are just looking for "survivability" at that point.

So I am taking away that regardless of settings (manual vs. automatic gain control, etc.) and environment (temperature, etc.) that the chip should survive up to +23 dBm without damage or degradation in performance (ones signal levels return below the full scale (max usable input level).  Is that the proper takeaway?

In our design it should never see more than +18 dBm so that seems like a healthy margin of safety to the +23 dBm.

The +23dBm maximum input level is dependent on AGC control.

 If you are looking for +18dBm without AGC control, then the reliability analysis has not been performed under this condition and hence we cannot guarantee the product lifetime.