4-147
Product Description
Ordering Information
Typical Applications
Features
Functional Block Diagram
RF Micro Devices, Inc.
7628 Thorndike Road
Greensboro, NC 27409, USA
Tel (336) 664 1233
Fax (336) 664 0454
http://www.rfmd.com
Optimum Technology Matching Applied
Si BJT
GaAs MESFET
GaAs HBT
Si Bi-CMOS
SiGe HBT
Si CMOS
InGaP/HBT
GaN HEMT
SiGe Bi-CMOS
1
3
2
4
RF OUT
RF OUT
RF IN
GND
GND
MARKING - N4
NLB-400
CASCADABLE BROADBAND
GaAs MMIC AMPLIFIER DC TO 6GHz
Narrow and Broadband Commercial and
Military Radio Designs
Linear and Saturated Amplifiers
Gain Stage or Driver Amplifiers for
MWRadio/Optical Designs (PTP/PMP/
LMDS/UNII/VSAT/WLAN/Cellular/DWDM)
The NLB-400 cascadable broadband InGaP/GaAs MMIC
amplifier is a low-cost, high-performance solution for gen-
eral purpose RF and microwave amplification needs. This
50
gain block is based on a reliable HBT proprietary
MMIC design, providing unsurpassed performance for
small-signal applications. Designed with an external bias
resistor, the NLB-400 provides flexibility and stability. The
NLB-400 is packaged in a low-cost, surface-mount plastic
package, providing ease of assembly for high-volume
tape-and-reel requirements.
Reliable, Low-Cost HBT Design
15.5dB Gain, +12.0dBm P1dB@2GHz
High P1dB of +14.6dBm@6.0GHz
Single Power Supply Operation
50
I/O Matched for High Freq. Use
NLB-400
Cascadable Broadband GaAs MMIC Amplifier DC to
6GHz
NLB-400-T1 or -T3Tape & Reel, 1000 or 3000 Pieces (respectively)
NLB-400-E
Fully Assembled Evaluation Board
NBB-X-K1
Extended Frequency InGaP Amp Designer's Tool Kit
0
Rev A6 030912
Ga
ge
P
l
an
e
0.008
0.004
0.041
0.033
0.1
0.031
0.021
0.033
0.025
x3
0.023
0.017
0.198
0.186
0.190
0.178
0.021
REF.
Pin 1
0.098
0.086
0.106
0.094
Package Style: Micro-X, 4-Pin, Plastic
4-148
NLB-400
Rev A6 030912
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter
Rating
Unit
RF Input Power
+20
dBm
Power Dissipation
300
mW
Device Current
70
mA
Channel Temperature
200
C
Operating Temperature
-45 to +85
C
Storage Temperature
-65 to +150
C
Exceeding any one or a combination of these limits may cause permanent damage.
Parameter
Specification
Unit
Condition
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Overall
V
D
=+3.9V, I
CC
=47mA, Z
0
=50
, T
A
=+25C
Small Signal Power Gain, S21
16.0
17.0
dB
f=0.1GHz to 1.0GHz
13.0
dB
f=1.0GHz to 4.0GHz
10.8
11.5
dB
f=4.0GHz to 6.0GHz
Gain Flatness, GF
0.65
dB
f=0.1GHz to 2.0GHz
Input VSWR
1.65:1
f=0.1GHz to 4.0GHz
1.65:1
f=4.0GHz to 6.0GHz
1.75:1
f=6.0GHz to 10.0GHz
Output VSWR
1.5:1
f=0.1GHz to 4.0GHz
1.9:1
f=4.0GHz to 6.0GHz
2.2:1
f=6.0GHz to 10.0GHz
Bandwidth, BW
4.7
GHz
BW3 (3dB)
Output Power @
-1dB Compression, P1dB
12.0
dBm
f=2.0GHz
14.6
dBm
f=6.0GHz
Noise Figure, NF
4.1
dB
f=3.0GHz
Third Order Intercept, IP3
+29.6
dBm
f=2.0GHz
+27.3
f=6.0GHz
Reverse Isolation, S12
-18
dB
f=0.1GHz to 12.0GHz
Device Voltage, V
D
3.6
3.9
4.2
V
Gain Temperature Coefficient,
G
T
/
T
-0.0015
dB/C
MTTF versus Temperature
@ I
CC
=50mA
Case Temperature
85
C
Junction Temperature
119
C
MTTF
>1,000,000
hours
Thermal Resistance
JC
185
C/W
J
T
T
CASE
V
D
I
CC
---------------------------
JC
C Watt
/
(
)
=
Caution! ESD sensitive device.
RF Micro Devices believes the furnished information is correct and accurate
at the time of this printing. However, RF Micro Devices reserves the right to
make changes to its products without notice. RF Micro Devices does not
assume responsibility for the use of the described product(s).
4-149
NLB-400
Rev A6 030912
Pin
Function
Description
Interface Schematic
1
RF IN
RF input pin. This pin is NOT internally DC blocked. A DC blocking
capacitor, suitable for the frequency of operation, should be used in
most applications. DC coupling of the input is not allowed, because this
will override the internal feedback loop and cause temperature instabil-
ity.
2
GND
Ground connection. For best performance, keep traces physically short
and connect immediately to ground plane.
3
RF OUT
RF output and bias pin. Biasing is accomplished with an external series
resistor and choke inductor to V
CC
. The resistor is selected to set the
DC current into this pin to a desired level. The resistor value is deter-
mined by the following equation:
Care should also be taken in the resistor selection to ensure that the
current into the part never exceeds maximum datasheet operating cur-
rent over the planned operating temperature. This means that a resistor
between the supply and this pin is always required, even if a supply
near 5.0V is available, to provide DC feedback to prevent thermal run-
away. Because DC is present on this pin, a DC blocking capacitor, suit-
able for the frequency of operation, should be used in most
applications. The supply side of the bias network should also be well
bypassed.
4
GND
Same as pin 2.
R
V
CC
V
DEVICE
(
)
I
CC
-------------------------------------------
=
RF OUT
RF IN
4-150
NLB-400
Rev A6 030912
Typical Bias Configuration
Application notes related to biasing circuit, device footprint, and thermal considerations are available on request.
Recommended Bias Resistor Values
Supply Voltage, V
CC
(V)
5
8
10
12
15
20
Bias Resistor, R
CC
(
)
23
87
129
172
236
343
C block
1
3
4
2
C block
In
Out
L choke
(optional)
R
CC
V
CC
V
DEVICE
4-151
NLB-400
Rev A6 030912
Extended Frequency InGaP Amplifier Designer's Tool Kit
NBB-X-K1
This tool kit was created to assist in the design-in of the RFMD NBB- and NLB-series InGap HBT gain block amplifiers.
Each tool kit contains the following.
5 each NBB-300, NBB-310 and NBB-400 Ceramic Micro-X Amplifiers
5 each NLB-300, NLB-310 and NLB-400 Plastic Micro-X Amplifiers
2 Broadband Evaluation Boards and High Frequency SMA Connectors
Broadband Bias Instructions and Specification Summary Index for ease of operation
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