Amplifiers

Amplifier products

ARTICLES

Wideband Noise Parameter Measurements at Hot and Cryogenic Temperatures

For LNAs with exceptionally low noise temperatures — on the order of just 1 or 2 K — the measurement of noise performance is difficult and subject to systematic errors from noise source uncertainties. NoiseTech Microwave offers a line of solid-state impedance generators with cryogenic capabilities, supporting a cold noise parameter measurement approach. The impedance generator presents four signal source impedances at the input to the device under test, enabling noise parameters to be deterministically extracted.


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DOCUMENTS AND FILES

Practical Considerations for Low Noise Amplifier Design

Low noise amplifiers (LNAs) play a key role in radio receiver performance. The success of a receiver's design is measured in multiple dimensions: receiver sensitivity, selectivity, and proclivity to reception errors. The RF design engineer works to optimize receiver front-end performance with a special focus on the first active device. This paper considers device- and board-level variables that affect LNA performance and confront the engineer at each level of design in accommodating the various requirements of specific applications.

"S" Series Amplifiers Produce Higher Power, Higher Fidelity Signals For Testing Wireless Output Devices

As more companies take advantage of the benefits of wireless technology, output device manufacturers must depend on highly linear, quality test equipment to meet those demands. Wireless communications encompass a number of applications.

Switch-Mode RF PAs Using Chireix Outphasing

Mobile network operating costs are driving the requirement for increased infrastructure efficiency, particularly in the final stage RF power amplifier. The venerable Chireix outphasing architecture proposed in 1936 by Henry Chireix has been updated with Gallium Nitride HEMT transistors operating in class E, and shown to deliver class leading efficiency.

Combiners for Doherty Power Amplifier Architectures

Doherty combiner product line covers major communication bands ranging from 700 MHz to 2700 MHz. Each model is optimized for the center frequency of targeted frequency band. However, as new spectrum is being released, the pre‐designed standard models can be tuned in customer applications to meet performance. This document provides guidelines to tune these standard models for off‐band applications.

Increasing Power Amplifier Test Throughput

Engineers who test mobile power amplifiers and front end modules are looking for ways to reduce test cost through maximizing throughput while ensuring that the devices meet required performance levels. This application note discusses these complex issues and recommended solutions using the Agilent PXI M9381A Vector Signal Generator as an example.

RF Amplifier Output Voltage, Current, Power, and Impedance Relationship

The mismatch between these real loads and the amplifier's output impedance result in a percentage of the forward power being reflected back to the amplifier. In some cases, excessive reflected power can damage an amplifier and precautions that may affect forward power are required. This Application note highlights the major RF amplifier characteristics that impact forward power as well as net power allowing the use of Ohm's law, even when conditions are far from ideal.

Measuring Leakage Current in RF Power Transistors

The published specifications for leakage current in RF power devices are often a source of concern and confusion for engineers and technicians. This paper examines the real meaning behind the leakage current specifications and offers guidance on properly testing a device for leakage current.

Wideband 400W Pulsed Power GaN HEMT Amplifiers

RFMD has developed 400W pulsed output power GaN HEMT amplifiers operating over 2.9GHz to 3.5GHz band or 17% bandwidth. Under pulsed RF drive with 10% duty cycle and 100us pulse width, the amplifier delivers output power in the range of 401W to 446W over the band, with drain efficiency of 48% to 55% when biased at drain voltage of 65V.