High Dynamic Range Low Noise Amplifier
1400 - 2000 MHz

AM50-0004

M/A-COM Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make changes to the
product(s) or information contained herein without notice. M/A-COM makes
no warranty, representation or guarantee regarding the suitability of its
products for any particular purpose, nor does M/A-COM assume any liability
whatsoever arising out of the use or application of any product(s) or
information.

· North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
· Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
· Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298

Visit www.macom.com for additional data sheets and product information.

Features

· Low Noise Figure: 1.4 dB

· High Input IP3: +18 dBm at 8 V, 45 mA bias
+8 dBm at 3 V, 20 mA bias
· High Gain: 14 dB

· Single Supply: +3 to +8 VDC
· Low Cost SOIC-8 Plastic Package

· Adjustable current: 20 to 60 mA with external

resistor

Description

M/A-COM's AM50-0004 is a high dynamic range,
GaAs MMIC, low noise amplifier in a low cost, SOIC
8-lead, surface mount, plastic package. It employs
external input matching to obtain optimum noise
figure performance and operating frequency

flexibility. The AM50-0004 also features flexible
biasing to control the current consumption vs.
dynamic range trade-off. The AM50-0004 can
operate from any positive supply voltage in the 3 V
to 8 V range. Its current can be controlled over a
range of 20 mA to 60 mA with an external resistor.

The AM50-0004 is ideally suited for use where low
noise figure, high gain, high dynamic range, and low
power consumption are required. Typical

applications included receiver front ends in PDC,
DCS-1800, DCS-1900 and other PCN/PCS base
stations. It is also useful as a gain block, buffer,
driver, and IF amplifier in both fixed or portable PDC
and PCN/PCS systems.

The AM50-0004 is fabricated using a low-cost 0.5-
micron gate length GaAs process. The process
features full passivation for increased performance
and reliability. The AM50-0004 is 100% RF tested
to ensure performance specification compliance.

Pin Configuration

Pin No.

Pin Name

Description

GND

RF and DC Ground

EXT

External Current Control

(optional)

RF IN

RF Input of the amplifier

GND

RF and DC Ground

GND

RF and DC Ground

RF OUT

RF Output of the amplifier

Positive supply voltage

GND

RF and DC Ground

Absolute Maximum Ratings

1,2

Parameter

Absolute Maximum

+10 VDC

Input Power

+17 dBm

Current

80 mA

Channel Temperature

+150°C

Operating Temperature

-40°C to +85°C

Storage Temperature

-65°C to +150°C

1. Exceeding any one or combination of these limits may cause

permanent damage.

2. M/A-COM does not recommend sustained operation near

these survivability limits.

3. When pin #2 is used to increase current. (See note 7.)
4. Thermal resistance (

jc) = +99°C/W.

Ordering Information

Part Number

Package

AM50-0004

Bulk Packaging

AM50-0004TR

1000 piece reel

AM50-0004SMB

Designer's Kit

Note: Reference Application Note M513 for reel size
information.

Functional Block Diagram

GND

EXT

RF IN

GND

RF OUT

GND

High Dynamic Range Low Noise Amplifier
1400 - 2000 MHz

AM50-0004

Electrical Specifications: T

= +25°C, Z

= 50 Ohms, F = 1785 MHz, P

= -30 dBm

Parameter

Test Conditions

Units

Min.

Typ.

Max.

Gain

5 V, 45 mA

12.0

3 V, 20 mA

12.5

Noise Figure

5 V, 45 mA

1.4

1.8

3 V, 20 mA

1.5

Input VSWR

Ratio

1.5:1

Output VSWR

Ratio

2.0:1

Output 1 dB Compression

5 V, 45 mA

dBm

16.0

3 V, 20 mA

dBm

9.0

5 V, 45 mA

dBm

13.0

3 V, 20 mA

dBm

8.0

Reverse Isolation

Drain Current

5 V, 45 mA

Input IP3

5. Using external 15

resistor. See functional schematic below.

External Components List

Part Value

Case

Size

Manufacturer

Purpose

47 pF

0603

Murata

DC Block

47 pF

0603

Murata

By-Pass

3.9 nH

0603

Coilcraft

Tuning

12 nH

0603

Coilcraft

RF Choke

see

note 7

0603

Panasonic

Optional current

control

6. All external circuitry parts are readily available, low cost

surface mount components (.060 in. x .030 in. or .080 in.
x .050 in.).

7. Pin 2 allows use of an external resistor to ground for

optional, higher current. For 20 mA operation, no resistor is
used.

For I

~ 30 mA, R1 = 39 ohms;

~ 45 mA, R1 = 15 ohms;

~ 60 mA, R1 = 6 ohms.

Handling Procedures

Please observe the following precautions to avoid
damage:

Static Sensitivity

Gallium Arsenide Integrated Circuits are sensitive to
electrostatic discharge (ESD) and can be damaged by
static electricity. Proper ESD control techniques should
be used when handling these devices.

Functional Schematic

OUT

(See

Note 7)

1,4,5,8

High Dynamic Range Low Noise Amplifier
1400 - 2000 MHz

AM50-0004

Cross Section View

RF Traces & Components

RF Ground
DC Routing

Customer Defined

The PCB dielectric between RF traces and RF ground layers should be
chosen to reduce RF discontinuities between 50

lines and package

pins. M/A-COM recommends an FR-4 dielectric thickness of .008" (0.20
mm) yielding a 50

line width of 0.015" (0.38 mm). The recommended

RF metalization is 1 ounce copper.

The AM50-0004SMB Designer's Kit allows for immediate evaluation of M/A-COM's AM50-0004. The Designer's
Kit includes an AM50-0004 mounted on an evaluation board and five loose AM50-0004's. The evaluation board
consists of the recommended external surface mount circuitry, RF connectors, and a DC multi-pin connector, all
mounted to a multi-layer FR-4 PCB. The AM50-0004SMB evaluation PCB is illustrated below with all functional
ports labeled.

Designer's Kit AM50-0004SMB

Evaluation PCB & RF Connector Losses

Port Reference

Approximate RF Loss

RF In

0.15 dB @ 1785 MHz

RF Out

0.15 dB @ 1785 MHz

The DC connector on the Designer's Kit PCB allows convenient
DC line access. This is accomplished by the one or more of the
following methods.
1.

A mating female multi-pin connector (Newark Electronics
Stock # 46F-4658, not included).

Wires soldered to the necessary pins (not included).

Clip leads (not included).

Recommended PCB Configuration

Layout View

AM50-0004 Evaluation Board

High Dynamic Range Low Noise Amplifier
1400 - 2000 MHz

AM50-0004

Typical Performance Curves

Test Conditions: T

= +25°C, Z

= 50 , V

= 5 V, I

= 45 mA unless otherwise specified.

VSWR vs. Frequency

Gain vs. Frequency

Noise Figure vs. Frequency

Noise Figure vs. Current, F = 1785 MHz

Output P1 dB vs. Frequency

Output P1 dB vs. Current, F = 1785 MHz

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

3 VOLTS

5 VOLTS

8 VOLTS

Frequency (GHz)

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

INPUT

OUTPUT

Frequency (GHz)

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2

Frequency (GHz)

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

Current (mA)

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

3 VOLTS

5 VOLTS

6 VOLTS

8 VOLTS

Frequency (GHz)

3 VOLTS

5 VOLTS

6 VOLTS

8 VOLTS

Current (mA)

High Dynamic Range Low Noise Amplifier
1400 - 2000 MHz

AM50-0004

Input IP3 vs. Current, F = 1785 MHz

Input IP3 vs. Frequency

Gain vs. Temperature

Noise Figure vs. Temperature

Typical Performance Curves

Test Conditions: T

= +25°C, Z

= 50 , V

= 5 V, I

= 45 mA unless otherwise specified.

SOIC-8

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

3 VOLTS

5 VOLTS

6 VOLTS

8 VOLTS

Frequency (GHz)

3 VOLTS

5 VOLTS

6 VOLTS

8 VOLTS

Current (mA)

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2

+25 C

-40 C

+85 C

Frequency (GHz)

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

+25 C

-40 C

+85 C

Frequency (GHz)

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