NXP Unleashes Multi-Stage Variable Gain LNAs for Wireless Base Stations

These BGU706x low-noise amplifiers deliver high linearity, while saving up to 80 percent in component count.

With a high RF input overdrive of 10-15 dBm, the BGU706x base-station LNAs provide exceptional ruggedness, and make use of NXP’s silicon germanium carbon BiCMOS process technology for outstanding performance in high-frequency applications. NXP will showcase the BGU705x fixed gain LNAs and the BGU706x variable gain LNAs this week at the IMS2012 International Microwave Symposium in Montreal (booth 607).

“wireless infrastructure today faces a challenge as mobile data communications rapidly overtake voice communications. With its very low noise figure, our new multi-stage LNAs enable larger cell coverage, helping operators realize significant CAPEX and OPEX savings by reducing the total number of base stations required,” said Kees Schetters, director of marketing, wireless infrastructure, NXP Semiconductors. “By simplifying design-in, the LNAs also enable engineers to focus more on pushing the performance limits of their applications to achieve a significant competitive edge.”

Facts / Highlights:

-The BGU706x integrated multi-stage LNAs with variable gain feature the industry’s lowest noise figure of 0.9 dB for a receive chain in silicon, enabling larger cell coverage.
-The BGU706x LNAs offer exceptional ruggedness, with high RF input overdrive of 10-15 dBm. This supports overall system stability and results in strong performance when the system part of the PA power is leaked into the LNA – a potential risk in time-duplexing systems.
-In addition, with analog gain control of 35 dB and high linearity input IP3 (0.9 dBm at max gain), the BGU706x series is ideal for small cell sizes with demanding blocking requirements.
-NXP’s integrated approach provides a significant reduction to the overall LNA footprint and bill of materials, reducing component count by 80 percent – from 360 to 40 components in a typical implementation with a 6-channel receiver serving 3 sectors and 2Rx diversity.
-The BGU706x LNAs optimize total system current consumption, using approximately 30-percent less power compared to solutions from other vendors. With less heat dissipation, the LNAs avoid jeopardizing NF and reliability, ultimately enabling longer lifetimes.
-The new integrated BGU706x devices complement NXP’s existing BGU705x family. With RF input power overdrive of 20 dBm and high ESD protection (HBM 4 kV; CDM 2 kV), these devices are extremely rugged and address demanding power requirements, delivering high maximum power gain of 37.5 dB in conjunction with low power consumption (65 – 90 mA).

The BGU7063 and the BGU705x series LNAs are available immediately. BGU7060, BGU7061, BUG7062 will be available in July 2012.

Frequency range of integrated multi-stage LNAs with variable gain:
BGU7060: 700MHz – 800MHz
BGU7061: 800MHz – 950MHz
BGU7062:1710MHz – 1785MHz
BGU7063:1920MHz – 1980MHz

Frequency range of LNAs with fixed gain:
BGU7051: 500MHz – 1500MHz
BGU7052: 1500MHz – 2500MHz
BGU7053: 2300MHz – 2800MHz