Low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) are essential for receiver front ends when signal sensitivity is important. The models SKY67012-396LF, SKY67013-396LF, SKY67014-396LF, and SKY67015-396LF (the latter available in June) surface-mount LNAs from Skyworks Solutions are four such notables. They operate across frequency ranges of 300 to 600 MHz, 600 to 1500 MHz, 1500 to 3000 MHz, and 30 to 400 MHz respectively. Based on advanced GaAs pseudomorphic-high-electron-mobility-transistor (pHEMT) process technology, they are ideal for use in a wide variety of wireless systems.
All four amplifiers are housed in miniature DFN 8-pin 2 x 2 mm DFN packages (see figure), and all incorporate on-die stability structures and integrated active bias circuitry for superior performance. The amplifiers allow users to adjust quiescent supply current (Iddq) over a range of 5 to 50 mA. This provides the flexibility, for example, to achieve higher input third-order-intercept points (IIP3s).
The output power at 1-dB compression for each amplifier will follow the level of supply voltage while the IP3 performance will more closely follow the supply current. The amplifiers feature the capability to set supply current independent of supply voltage. for a given bias control voltage, the choice of external resistor will set the available supply current for a given application.
As an example, model SKY67012- 396LF covers 300 to 600 MHz, with typical midband (at 450 MHz) gain of 16.5 dB and noise figure of 0.85 dB. It can be used with supply voltages from +1.5 to +5.0 VDC, with a typical power supply of +3.3 VDC and 15 mA. in terms of linearity, the LNA exhibits typical IIP3 of +7.5 dBm and typical oip3 of +24 dBm, although supply current can be adjusted for improved intercept-point performance. The input 1-dB compression point is typically +3.5 dBm while the output 1-dB compression point is typically +12 dBm, when the amplifier is run at its nominal power-supply (15 mA at +3.3 VDC) setting. The low-current amplifier achieves input return loss of typically 20 dB and output return loss of typically 12 dB, with 26-dB typical reverse isolation.
Model SKY67013-396LF can be used from 600 to1500 MHz, with typical midband (900 MHz) noise figure of 0.85 dB and typical midband small-signal gain of 14 dB. it can also be run on bias voltages of +1.5 to +5.0 VDC, with a typical supply of 15 mA at +3.3 VDC. over its 900-mHz bandwidth, sKY67013-396lf delivers typical iip3 of +12 dBm and IP3 of +26 dBm, with input 1-dB compression point of typically +2.5 dBm and output 1-dB compression point of typically +15.5 dBm. The input return loss is typically 23 dB while the output return loss is typically 16 dB, with typical return isolation of 22 dB.
The SKY67014-396LF is well suited for 500 to 3000 mHz. with Iddq at 15 mA, the typical small-signal gain is 12.5 dB at 2.35 GHz with 0.9-dB associated noise figure. at 15 mA and +3.3 VDC, it offers typical IIP3 of +13.5 dBm and typical oip3 of +26 dBm, with input 1-dB compression point of typically +3.5 dBm and output 1-dB compression at typically +15 dBm. The input return loss is typically 17 dB while the output return loss is typically 13 dB, with a typical reverse isolation of 22 dB.
Last but not least, model SKY67015- 396LF is suitable for 30 to 400 MHz. with quiescent drain current set to 15 mA, it boasts typical small-signal gain of 17 dB at 200 MHz, with 0.85 dB noise figure at that same frequency. at 15 mA and +3.3 VDC, the typically IIP3 is 3 dBm and typical OIP3 is +20 dBm, with typical input 1-dB compression point of -1 dBm and typical output power at 1-dB compression of +15 dBm. The input return loss is typically 16 dB while the output return loss is typically 14 dB, with a typical reverse isolation of 24 dB.
Skyworks Solutions, Inc., 20 Sylvan Rd., Woburn, MA 01801; (781) 376-3100, FAX: (781) 376-3300, www.skyworksinc.com.