Avago Technologies has announced a series of four fail-safe bypass low-noise amplifier (LNA) modules for tower mounted amplifiers (TMA) and base transceiver stations (BTS) applications. The new ALM-11x36 LNAs are claimed to deliver best-in-class noise performance and high linearity within a compact package. The modules can replace large discrete and surface-mount component counts in conventional designs, shortening design cycle time and providing board space savings.
The new modules exhibit low noise and high linearity achieved through the use of the company’s proprietary 0.25 μm GaAs Enhancement-mode PHEMT process. 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. In addition, the ALM-11x36 LNAs 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.
All matching components are fully integrated within the modules and the 50 Ω RF input and output pins are already internally AC-coupled. This makes the modules easy to use, as the only external parts required are DC supply bypass capacitors. The LNAs deliver optimum performance across a wide range of bands, with the ALM-11036 module covering 776 to 870 MHz, the ALM-11136 module covering 870 to 915 MHz, the ALM-11236 module covering 1710 to 1850 MHz and the ALM-11336 module covering 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 ideal for common platform designs.
