Application Note
Cascading Amplifiers Application Information
By Teledyne Cougar
Teledyne Cougar's comprehensive line of cascadable amplifiers includes many multiple stage amplifiers where some of the cascading has been integrated into a single package. This process makes the job of achieving high gain easier, saves money and space, and usually achieves a superior result, particularly when considering SWR and gain flatness.
Gain
The total minimum cascaded gain will equal the sum of the individual minimum gain. For a conservative worst case, subtract 1 dB from this sum. In actual practice with Cougar amplifiers, the cascaded gain will be very close to the sum of the individual typical gains.
Gain Flatness
Cougar amplifiers are typically flat to within ±0.15 dB. The cascaded gain will typically be less than ±0.5 dB for all amplifiers that operate up to 2.0 GHz. A cascaded specification of ±1.0 dB maximum is generally achievable.
Noise Figure
The first stage noise figure F will increase. F1 is the uncascaded first stage noise factor, Fn is the Nth stage noise figure, and Gn is the gain of the Nth stage amplifier. An amplifier with 3.0 dB noise figure and 15 dB gain cascaded with a second stage amplifier that has 5.0 dB noise figure will increase to approximately 3.15 dB noise figure.
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•Application Note: Cascading Amplifiers Application Information
