MTT-S 2007: Analog Devices Introduces Four New RF Amplifier Families

Honolulu -- IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium -- Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) expands its RF solutions with the introduction of a RF amplifier portfolio of 12 new devices covering the complete RF signal chain. The new RF amplifiers are fully characterized and specified for both broadband and narrowband applications. When coupled with ADI's other RFICs, they enable the design and implementation of advanced RF radio architectures for a wide range of applications, such as communications infrastructure equipment, marine radar and RFID readers.

The four RF amplifier product families include, LNAs (low-noise amplifiers), IFAs (intermediate frequency amplifiers), driver amplifiers, and RF gain blocks, all of which are fully specified for operation over temperature, supply voltage and operating frequency, thereby easing the selection and design-in process.

"The RF amplifiers support the higher performance and wider bandwidth applications within next-generation broadband access systems, without sacrificing cost, size or power consumption. Each RF amplifier family provides leading linearity performance, minimizes external component count, and is fully specified and characterized to simplify the design in process," said Peter Real, product line director for RF and Networking Components, Analog Devices. "Analog Devices is providing the highest performance RF ICs that enable designers creative freedom to implement new cost efficient radio architectures across the many markets and air interface standards."

LOW NOISE AMPLIFIERS (LNAs): ADI's ADL552x family operates from 400 MHz to 4 GHz while achieving a low noise figure with the optimum amount of gain and current consumption. The ADL5521 provides 0.8 dB NF with a gain of 15 dB while the ADL5523 provides 1.1dB NF with a gain 17.5 dB. The new LNA family includes on-chip bias circuitry and requires minimal external matching components.

INTERMEDIATE FREQUENCY AMPLIFIERS (IFAs): Designed to operate in the IF frequency range typically below 500 MHz, ADI's ADL553x family of single- and dual-channel IFAs are fully specified and characterized to support applications across the most commonly used IF frequencies of 70, 140, 190, 240, and 380 MHz. The new IFAs provide a linearity of 41 dBm while maintaining a noise figure as low as 2.5 dB for optimal signal dynamic range. The new IFA family is offered within surface-mount LFCSP packages and integrate on-chip bias circuitry, require minimal external matching components and support 1KV Class 1C ESD.

DRIVER AMPLIFIERS: Analog Devices' ADL532x driver amplifier family enables low distortion and high-output drive directly to the power amplifier stages. The ADL5320 driver provides broadband operation from 400 MHz to 2.7 GHz and requires minimal external matching for a chosen band of operation. The ADL5320 provides an output linearity of 42 dBm and 26 dBm output compression point while consuming just 104 mA of supply current. The ADL5322 and ADL5323 drivers are optimized to work over frequency bands of 700 MHz to 1 GHz and 1.7 GHz to 2.4 GHz, respectively and provide linearity with an output IP3 of 45dBm and output compression point of 28dBm. The ADL5322 and ADL5323 are internally matched and can eliminate the need for up to 10 external components required.

Gain Blocks: The ADL5541 and ADL5542 are broadband gain blocks that operate from low frequencies up to 6 GHz. Both devices are 50-ohm internally matched with integrated internal bias circuitry minimizing the need for external components. The ADL5541 provides 15 dB gain with output linearity of 40dBm and the ADL5542 provides 20 dB of gain with an output linearity of 40dBm. Both devices are fully ESD protected and available in small footprint LFCSP packages.

SOURCE: Analog Devices