Date: 5th Jun 2011
Module integrates both switch and LNA
for TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE base stations
Avago Technologies have announced a series of high-power
switch low-noise amplifier (LNA) modules dedicated for use
in front-end receiver designs of TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE base
transceiver station (BTS) applications.
The advantage and features of these modules as explained
by Avago are:
The new small-footprint ALM-12x24 modules replace existing
three-piece discrete solutions, providing significant board
space savings that is especially critical for BTS designs
with 8 transceiver channels in a single radio card.
The fully-matched solutions also shorten design cycle time
by eliminating the need for tuning with external matching
circuitry.
The Avago ALM-12x24 LNA modules integrate a high-power 50W
Single Pole, Double Throw (SPDT) switch, a first-stage LNA
and a second-stage high-linearity amplifier in an 8-mm-by-8-mm
package.
Constructed with an Avago PIN diode, the SPDT switch prevents
the LNA from damage by high-power signals potentially leaking
over from the transmit chain in conditions where the antenna
is mismatched.
The LNA and high-linearity amplifier leverage the company's
proprietary 0.25 um GaAs Enhancement-mode pHEMT process
to achieve robust RF performance.
50 dB isolation between the first and second stage amplifiers,
enabling external addition of an attenuator or RF filter
without affecting the overall module performance
High power handling capability of 47.5 dBm
Low distortion silicon PIN diode technology
Highly reliable MSL2a rating and lead-free package
Design suggestion by Avago for selecting LNA: The wireless
infrastructure industry must provide optimum coverage with
the best signal quality in a crowded spectrum. Receiver
sensitivity is the most critical requirement in a BTS receiver's
design, and LNA selection greatly affects the receiver's
performance. For front-end design architectures, low noise
figure (NF) is a key design goal. Another key design factor
is linearity, which affects the receiver's ability to distinguish
between wanted and spurious signals that are closely spaced.
Output third-order intercept (OIP3) is used to specify linearity.
The ALM-12124 module covers 1880-2025 MHz with 0.80 dB NF
and 36.4 dBm OIP3 typical performance at 1900 MHz in receiver
mode, while ALM-12224 module covers 2300-2400 MHz with 0.99
dB NF and 38.5 dBm OIP3 typical performance at 2400 MHz
in receiver mode.
Avago will exhibit the modules, along with its complete
RF and Microwave portfolio, at the 2011 IEEE Microwave Theory
& Techniques Society International Microwave Symposium
in booth number 1602 at the Baltimore Convention Center
from June 7-9.
U.S. Pricing and Availability:
The ALM-12x24 switch LNA modules ship in a 24-pin MCOB package.
The ALM-12124 and ALM-12224 modules are priced at $8.58
each in 10,000 piece quantities. Samples and production
quantities are available now through the Avago direct sales
channel and via worldwide distribution partners.
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