19 June 2012

Skyworks adds low-power LNAs with sub 1.0dB noise figure for cellular infrastructure and ISM-band applications

In booth 1507 at the 2012 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS) in Montreal, Canada (19–21 June), Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA (which manufactures high-reliability analog and mixed-signal semiconductors) has unveiled two new series of high-performance and low-power low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) for multiple industrial, scientific & medical (ISM) bands and next-generation cellular infrastructure applications.

The firm says that its newest LNAs enable enhanced wireless receiver sensitivity, wider dynamic range and a high level of design flexibility. With the addition of these devices, Skyworks now powers solutions with continuous coverage from 30MHz to 3000MHz. Various customers are already leveraging them for power line monitoring and security systems, government radio networks, in-building wireless devices and cell signal boosters.

Picture: Skyworks' low-power LNAs.

“Skyworks’ suite of solutions highlights our continued focus on broad market, low-noise amplifier products for performance-driven customer applications,” says Liam K. Griffin, executive VP & general manager of high-performance analog. “Our products leverage Skyworks’ strength in GaAs pHEMT design technology as well as our high-volume, low-cost multi-chip module (MCM) assembly capabilities - two key differentiators within our analog portfolio,” he adds.

The SKY67012-396LF (300–600MHz), SKY67013-396LF (600–1500MHz) and SKY67014-396LF (1500–3000MHz) and SKY67015-396LF (30–400MHz) discrete low-power LNAs suit use in battery powered receivers in applications including wireless metering and security, public safety radio, wireless microphones and Bluetooth headsets. The supply voltage is adjustable over a wide 1.8-5V range and current draw is as low as 5mA. The LNAs are manufactured in a 2mm x 2mm RoHS-compliant, surface-mount technology (SMT) package.

The SKY67215-11 (400–700MHz), SKY67216-11 (500–1200MHz), SKY67221-11 (1600–2100MHz) and SKY67226-11 (2100–3000MHz) are designed for next-generation wireless infrastructure applications including femto- and pico-cell access points micro base stations, tower-mounted amplifiers, remote radio units and in-building repeaters/cell signal boosters. These fully integrated LNAs are fully matched to 50 Ohms and require only a single, external component. The internal biasing and matching network eliminates the need for costly external components, customer tuning and greatly reduces required board space. The LNAs also greatly reduce customer design-in time and overall circuit complexity, the firm claims. The LNAs are manufactured in a compact, 4mm x 4mm MCM-based RoHS-compliant SMT package.

Both new enhancement-mode GaAs pHEMT-based LNA families offer what is claimed to be excellent return loss, very low noise figure (<1.0db), high linearity, unconditional stability and high gain. These features enable highly efficient and cost-effective signal amplification for enhanced receiver sensitivity and long battery life, the firm adds. In addition, all eight devices offer the ability to externally adjust the supply current to optimize the amplifier linearity and power handling performance for the chosen application. For enhanced design flexibility, each LNA family uses a common footprint and circuit layout.

Tags: Skyworks LNA GaAs pHEMT

Visit: www.skyworksinc.com