Avago Technologies has expanded its high performance portfolio of RF and microwave components for cellular infrastructure applications with two new series of LNAs. Featuring excellent noise performance and high linearity, the new MGA-63xP8 LNAs and ALM-11x36 fail-safe bypass LNA modules deliver improved receiver sensitivity for base transceiver stations (BTS) and tower mounted amplifier (TMA) applications.
The MGA-63xP8 devices and ALM-11x36 modules expand the company’s LNA portfolio for BTS applications, which leverage the company’s proprietary 0.25 µm GaAs Enhancement-mode PHEMT process. As opposed to a broadband approach, Avago offers series of LNAs with each device optimized for high-end performance at specific frequency operation ranges. Reflecting the portfolio’s emphasis on integration, the ALM-11x36 modules can replace large discrete and surface-mount component counts in conventional designs, shortening design cycle time and providing board space savings.
“These two new LNA series demonstrate our commitment to extend our leading LNA portfolio for the wireless infrastructure market and raise the bar for noise figure and overall performance,” said James Wilson, Senior Director of Marketing for Wireless Products at Avago. “We continue to work with our customers to develop highly-integrated solutions that streamline the design process and help them to keep up with continuously evolving cellular standards.”
The high-linearity MGA-63xP8 LNA series integrates active bias circuitry and a power down function, simplifying design by eliminating the need for external discrete components to perform the same functions. The series offers high-gain performance consistent across 700 to 2600 MHz, with the MGA-636P8 device operating from 450-1,500 MHz, while the MGA-637P8 and MGA-638P8 operate from 1500 to 2500 MHz and 2500 to 4000 MHz, respectively.
The ALM-11x36 LNA modules are equipped with a fail-safe bypass function, which is especially critical for TMA applications to enable the LNA bidirectional bypass path during the absence of DC power supply. Their superior bypass isolation eliminates the possibility of oscillation issues, and the modules also feature low bypass insertion loss and high input and output return loss.
All matching components are fully integrated within the modules and the 50 Ω RF input and output pins are internally AC-coupled. The ALM-11036 module covers 776 to 870 MHz, the ALM-11136 module covers 870 to 915 MHz, the ALM-11236 module covers 1710 to 1850 MHz and the ALM-11336 module covers 1850 to 1980 MHz. All the modules share the same compact 7.0 by 10.0 by 1.5 mm package and pin out configuration and are thus suitable for common platform designs.
