InGaP Gain Blocks For Half A Buck?

March 4, 2010

A pair of gain blocks from Avago Technologies offer cost-effective solutions for boosting signal levels in WiMAX and satellite television products. Based on InGaP heterojunction-bipolar-transistor (HBT) technology, the monolithic-microwave-integrated-circuit (MMIC) AVT-51663 and AVT-53663 amplifiers are ideal for cellular infrastructure and other wireless applications from DC to 6 GHz. Model AVT-51663 typically provides 19-dB gain, +24-dBm third-order intercept point, and +12.5-dBm output power at 1-dB compression with 3.2-dB noise figure at 2 GHz, running from 37 mA and +5 VDC. Model AVT-53663 operates with +5 VDC and 48 mA for typically 19.5-dB gain, +5-dBm output third-order intercept point, +15-dBm output power at 1-dB compression, and 3.2-dB noise figure at 2 GHz. Both are internally matched to 50 Ohms and supplied in RoHS-compliant SOT-363 surface-mount packages. The models AVT-51663 and AVT-53663 gain blocks are available with prices starting at $0.31 and $0.33, respectively, in 10,000 volumes.

About the Author

Jack Browne | Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.