Ap pl ica t io n N o te, Re v. 1 . 2, F e br ua ry 2 00 8
A p p li c a t i o n N o t e N o . 1 5 0
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the
B F R 3 6 0 F T r a n s i s t o r i n T S F P - 3 P ac k a g e
R F & P r o t e c ti o n D e v i c e s
Edition 2008-02-22
Published by
Infineon Technologies AG
81726 München, Germany
© Infineon Technologies AG 2009.
All Rights Reserved.
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Application Note No. 150
Application Note No. 150
Revision History: 2008-02-22, Rev. 1.2
Previous Version: 2003-01-24, Rev. 1.1
Page
Subjects (major changes since last revision)
All
Small changes in figure descriptions
Application Note
3
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
1
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in
TSFP-3 Package
Overview
•
•
•
•
•
The low-cost, high performance BFR360F in the ultra-small TSFP-3 package is evaluated to show the
feasibility of a 1 dB Noise Figure LNA for 900 MHz ISM band applications.
The Printed Circuit Board Used is PCB 640-052402 Revision C, originally designed for a two-stage 5 - 6 GHz
LNA application. Standard FR4 material is used.
Low-cost, standard SMT passive components are used throughout, in "0402" case size.
Total PCB area used for the single LNA stage is approximately 50 mm². Note that further reduction in PCB
area is possible.
Achieved > 15 dB gain, 1.1 dB Noise Figure at 915 MHz, on 3.0 V supply, drawing 5.7 mA. Note noise figure
result does NOT "back out" FR4 PCB losses - if the PCB loss at LNA input were extracted, Noise Figure
Results would be approximately 0.1 dB lower.
PCB Cross - Section Diagram
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Figure 1
PCB - Cross Sectional Diagram
Application Note
4
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Summary of Data
T = 25 °C, Network analyzer source power = -25 dBm
Table 1
Summary of Results
Parameter
Result
Comments
Frequency Range
902 - 928 MHz
ISM band, but LNA usable down to
approx. 850 MHz.
DC Current
5.7 mA
DC Voltage, VCC
3.0 V
Collector-Emitter Voltage, VCE
≅ 2.74 V
Gain
15.3 dB @ 902 MHz
15.4 dB @ 915 MHz
15.6 dB @ 928 MHz
Noise Figure
1.1 dB @ 902 MHz
1.1 dB @ 915 MHz
1.1 dB @ 928 MHz
These values do not extract PCB
losses, etc. resulting from FR4
board an passives used on PCB these results are at input SMA
connector.
Input P1dB
-17.0 dBm @ 915 MHz
See input power sweep vs. gain plot,
Figure 7.
Input 3rd Order Intercept
+11.6 dB @ 2400 MHz
Please see Figure 15.
Input Return Loss
11.1 dB @ 902 MHz
10.2 dB @ 915 MHz
10.2 dB @ 928 MHz
Output Return Loss
10.7 dB @ 902 MHz
10.8 dB @ 915 MHz
10.4 dB @ 928 MHz
Reverse Isolation
24.0 dB @ 902 MHz
23.7 dB @ 915 MHz
23.3 dB @ 928 MHz
Application Note
BFP640: VCEmax = 4.0 V
5
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Bill of Material
Table 2
Bill of Material
Reference
Designator
Value
Manufacturer
Case Size
Function
C1
0.1 µF
Various
0402
DC blocking, input (also using cap above
SRF gives it slight inductive characteristic
for input match).
C2
5.6 pF
Various
0402
DC blocking and output matching.
C4, C5
47 pF
Various
0402
Output RF ground.
C3, C6
0.1 µF
Various
0402
Low frequency ground at base (Input 3rd
Order Intercept improvement), low
frequency decoupling / blocking.
L1
18 nH
Murata LQG15H low cost 0402
chip inductor
RF choke to DC bias on base of Q1, some
positive influence on input blocking.
L2
8.2 nH
Murata LQG15H low cost 0402
chip inductor
RF choke to collector of Q1, also influences
output match.
R1
36 Ω
Various
0402
Influence on RF stability and output match.
R2
43 kΩ
Various
0402
DC bias for base of Q1
R3
10 Ω
Various
0402
Provides some DC feedback for bias
compensation (beta variation, temperature,
etc.).
Q1
-
Infineon Technologies
TSFP-3
BFR360F Transistor, fT = 14 GHz
J1, J3
-
Johnson 142-0701-841
-
RF input / output connectors
J4
-
AMP 5 pin header MTA100 series 640456-5
(standard pin plating) or
641215-5 (gold plated
pins)
-
DC connector
Application Note
Pins 1, 5 = ground
Pin 3 = VCC
Pins 2, 4 = no connection
6
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Schematic Diagram
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Figure 2
Schematic Diagram
Application Note
7
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Noise Figure, Plot. Center of Plot (x-axis) is 915 MHz.
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Figure 3
Noise Figure
Application Note
8
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Noise Figure, Tabular Data
From Rohde & Schwarz FSEK3 + FSEM30 + System Preamplifier
System Preamplifier = MITEQ SMC-02
Table 3
Noise Figure
Frequency
Noise Figure
880 MHz
1.07 dB
882 MHz
1.08 dB
884 MHz
1.08 dB
886 MHz
1.10 dB
888 MHz
1.11 dB
890 MHz
1.08 dB
892 MHz
1.10 dB
894 MHz
1.08 dB
896 MHz
1.09 dB
898 MHz
1.10 dB
900 MHz
1.08 dB
902 MHz
1.07 dB
904 MHz
1.08 dB
906 MHz
1.08 dB
908 MHz
1.06 dB
910 MHz
1.09 dB
912 MHz
1.08 dB
914 MHz
1.09 dB
916 MHz
1.08 dB
918 MHz
1.07 dB
920 MHz
1.08 dB
922 MHz
1.08 dB
924 MHz
1.10 dB
926 MHz
1.06 dB
928 MHz
1.07 dB
930 MHz
1.09 dB
932 MHz
1.07 dB
934 MHz
1.07 dB
936 MHz
1.07 dB
938 MHz
1.06 dB
940 MHz
1.11 dB
942 MHz
1.08 dB
944 MHz
1.04 dB
946 MHz
1.08 dB
948 MHz
1.09 dB
950 MHz
1.06 dB
Application Note
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Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Scanned Image of PC Board
Figure 4
Image of PC Board
Application Note
10
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Scanned Image of PC Board, Close-In Shot.
Figure 5
Image of PC Board, Close-In Shot
Application Note
11
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Stability Factor K and Stability Measure B1
Note that if K > 1 and B1 > 0, the amplifier is unconditionally stable. Measured LNA s-parameters were taken on
a Network Analyzer & then imported into GENESYS simulation package, which calculates and plots K and B1.
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Figure 6
Plot of K(f) and B1(f)
Application Note
12
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Power Sweep at 915 MHz (CW)
Source Power (Input) swept from -25 to 0 dBm
Input P1dB ≅ -17.0 dBm
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Figure 7
Plot of Power Sweep
Application Note
13
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Input Return Loss, Log Mag
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Figure 8
Plot of Input Return Loss
Application Note
14
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Input Return Loss, Smith Chart
Reference Plane = PCB Input SMA Connector
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Figure 9
Smith Chart of Input Return Loss
Application Note
15
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Forward Gain
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Figure 10
Plot of Forward Gain
Application Note
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Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Forward Gain, Wide Span
50 MHz - 18 GHz
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Figure 11
Plot of Forward Gain, Wide Span
Application Note
17
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Reverse Isolation
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Figure 12
Plot of Reverse Isolation
Application Note
18
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Output Return Loss, Log Mag
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Figure 13
Plot of Output Return Loss
Application Note
19
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
Output Return Loss, Smith Chart
Reference Plane = PCB Output SMA Connector
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Figure 14
Smith Chart of Output Return Loss
Application Note
20
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22
Application Note No. 150
A 900 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Using the BFR360F Transistor in TSFP-3
LNA Output Response to Two-Tone Test
Input stimulus: f1 = 914 MHz, f2 = 915 MHz, -25 dBm each tone.
Input IP3 = -25 + (50.7 / 2) = -0.4 dBm
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Figure 15
Tow-Tone Test, LNA Response
Application Note
21
Rev. 1.2, 2008-02-22