Low noise amplifier operates at up to 26.5 GHz

It is available at distributor Anglia Components.

The device is a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) based on a gallium arsenide (GaAs) structure. The device is a pseudo-morphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT), wideband, LNA that operates from 0.01 to 26.5 GHz.

It provides a typical gain of 17.5 dB from 0.01 GHz to 14 GHz with a positive gain slope from 14 GHz to 20 GHz.

The device has a 13.5 dBm typical output power at 1 dB compression (OP1dB) from 0.01 GHz to 20 GHz, a 2.5 dB typical noise figure from 0.01 GHz to 14 GHz, and a typical output third-order intercept (OIP3) of 26 dBm from 0.01 GHz to 14 GHz, requiring only 80 mA from a 5 V supply voltage.

Saturated output power (PSAT) of up to 16 dBm enabling the LNA to function as a local oscillator (LO) driver for many of the balanced, inphase/quadrature (I/Q) or image rejection mixers available from Analog Devices.

The LNA also features inputs and outputs (I/Os) that are internally matched to 50 Ω, making it ideal for surface-mounted technology (SMT)-based, high capacity microwave radio applications.

Housed in a compact 4 mm × 4 mm 24-Lead surface mount chip scale package (LFCSP) the LNA is specified for operation over the -40°C to +85°C temperature range.

Support for developers comes with the ADL9005-EVALZ evaluation board.

This evaluation board consists of a 2-layer printed circuit board (PCB) fabricated from 10 mil thick, Rogers 4350B, copper clad, mounted to an aluminium heat spreader.

The heat spreader assists in providing thermal relief to the device as well as mechanical support to the PCB. Mounting holes on the heat spreader allow for attachment to larger heat sinks for improved thermal management.

The RFIN and RFOUT ports on the evaluation board are populated with 2.9 mm, female coaxial connectors, and the respective RF traces have a 50 Ω characteristic impedance.

The board has been populated with components suitable for use over the entire −40°C to +85°C operating temperature range so developers can fully test the device performance.

A through calibration path, THRU CAL, is provided between the RFINTHRU and THRUCAL connectors, this allows users to calibrate out board trace losses. RFINTHRU and THRUCAL must be populated with RF connectors to use the through calibration path. The power voltages and ground path can be accessed through the provided test points.

The RF traces on the evaluation board are 50 Ω, grounded, coplanar waveguide. The package ground leads, and the exposed pad are directly connected to the ground plane. Multiple vias are used to connect the top and bottom ground planes with particular focus on the area directly beneath the ground pad to provide adequate electrical conduction and thermal conduction to the heat spreader.

The ADL9005 wideband LNA is suitable for a range of applications including Military, Communications Equipment and Test Instrumentation.

Anglia are offering customers a free evaluation board and samples of the ADL9005 wideband LNA from Analog Devices.