UM10480 Variable gain amplifier BGA7210

UM10480
Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
Rev. 2 — 26 July 2011
User manual
Document information
Info
Content
Keywords
BGA7210, VGA, variable gain amplifier
Abstract
This user manual describes how to evaluate the variable gain amplifier
BGA7210 using a customer evaluation kit
UM10480
NXP Semiconductors
Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
Revision history
Rev
Date
v.2
20110726
v.1
20110520
Description
•
•
Section 1 “Introduction” text altered.
Section 5 “Controlling the customer RF evaluation board” amended to include Section
5.1 “Improving linearity”
first version
Contact information
For more information, please visit: http://www.nxp.com
For sales office addresses, please send an email to: [email protected]
UM10480
User manual
All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers.
Rev. 2 — 26 July 2011
© NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
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UM10480
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Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
1. Introduction
The BGA7210 customer evaluation kit enables the user to evaluate the performance of
the variable gain amplifier BGA7210.
The BGA7210 performance information is available in the BGA7210 data sheet.
2. Quick start
1. Connect the interface board to the RF evaluation board using the flat cable.
2. Power the RF evaluation board with a 5 V, 1 W power supply.
3. Insert the interface board in a free USB slot.
4. Insert the USB flash drive in another free USB slot.
5. Launch the customer software bga7210_mswin.exe from the USB flash drive.
3. Installation
calibration port
RF in
RF evaluation board
flat cable
USB interface board
BGA7210
calibration port
RF out
GND
Vsupply
jumpers
connector
019aac406
Fig 1.
BGA7210 customer evaluation kit parts
Remark: Do not change the jumper settings until you are familiar with the functions. The
jumpers are intended for evaluating the current on each supply pin. If configured correctly
the VGA can be powered by the USB bus, however RF performance might be
compromised. See Section 7 “Jumpers and connectors” on page 10.
UM10480
User manual
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Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
4. Customer evaluation kit contents
The evaluation kit contains the following items:
•
•
•
•
•
ESD safe casing
RF evaluation board
USB interface board
Flat cable
USB flash drive containing:
– This user manual
– Customer software bga7210_mswin.exe
– BGA7210 data sheet
UM10480
User manual
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Rev. 2 — 26 July 2011
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Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
5. Controlling the customer RF evaluation board
5.1 Improving linearity
The RF evaluation board is configured without using a shunt capacitor on the output.
Adding a shunt capacitor improves linearity around 2.8 GHz. For other operating
frequencies it is recommended not to add a shunt capacitor. Please refer to the Data
Sheet for performance information.
Place a shunt capacitor of 0.68 pF at a distance of 5.3 mm from the BGA7210 RF_OUT
pin, see Figure 2.
aaa-000268
Fig 2.
UM10480
User manual
BGA7210 RF evaluation board PCB layout
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Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
5.2 Quick tour
amplifier 1 current
amplifier 2 current
attenuation entry
decrease attenuation
attenuation slider
increase attenuation
power save mode
set optimal currents
write status
USB status
device version
019aac407
Fig 3.
User interface
The customer software offers advanced features for controlling the current and
attenuation of the BGA7210. The software also provides a tick box for saving power and a
tick box for automatically selecting the optimal current per attenuation setting, yielding
maximum linearity.
5.3 Setting current
The current to each amplifier can be set either automatically or manually.
• Automatically: depending on the attenuator setting, each amplifier current setting is
selected automatically. This mode optimizes current consumption without
compromising linearity
• Manually: each amplifier current can be set manually
5.4 Setting attenuation
There are three methods available for setting attenuation in the range 0 dB to 31.5 dB
using:
• the attenuator entry
• attenuation slider
• 0.5 dB step button
5.5 Power save
In Power save mode, the RF blocks are switched off but it is still possible to communicate
with the chip.
UM10480
User manual
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Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
6. BGA7210 evaluation
Remark: The RF evaluation board output is configured with a shunt capacitor to yield
optimal linearity at approximately 2 GHz. It is recommended that the shunt capacitor is
removed at other operating frequencies. Please refer to the BGA7210 data sheet for
performance information.
6.1 Calibration
The calibration port can be used to determine the PCB losses.
6.2 S-parameters and output compression point
Both S-parameters and the output compression point (P1 dB) are measured with a
NetWork Analyzer (NWA); see Figure 4.
The P1 dB is measured by sweeping the input power, and observing where the S21 of the
device is compressed by 1 dB compared to the linear gain. In order for this measurement
to accurately measure the input power, the input must first be calibrated with a power
head. The output power of the device is calculated using equation Equation 1.
P out  dBm  = P in  dBm  + s 21  dB 
(1)
The drive power can be optionally enhanced with a driver amplifier. To prevent the output
signal driving the NWA receiver into compression, an attenuator can be inserted at the
NWA input. Both driver amplifier and attenuator should be included in the calibration path.
2 PORT (or 4 PORT) NETWORK ANALYZER
PORT 1
PORT 2
POWER
SUPPLY
OPTIONAL
PRE-AMPLIFIER
OPTIONAL
ATTENUATOR
DUT
MMIC
Fig 4.
019aac408
S-parameter and output compression power set-up
In order to maintain small signal conditions for the S-parameter measurements, an input
power of 20 dBm is applied.
UM10480
User manual
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Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
6.3 Output third-order intercept point
The output intercept point (OIP3) is a figure of merit for linearity; see Figure 5. The set-up
is configured to achieve an accurate measurement of the OIP3; see Figure 6. After the
signal generators, a Low-Pass Filter (LPF) and isolator is applied, before combining the
two signals. This configuration gives best isolation between the generators, hence IMD3
levels of the input signal < 80 dBc can be measured.
Please refer to the BGA7210 data sheet for power level and tone spacing values.
output
power
IP3
saturation
region
fundamental
slope 1:1
dBc
dBc
IMD3
slope 1:3
IMD3
2*f1-f2
f1
f2
2*f2-f1
input power
f
019aac409
Fig 5.
Definition of output intercept point (OIP3)
SIGNAL
GENERATOR
LOW-PASS
FILTER (LPF)
POWER
SUPPLY
ISOLATOR
POWER
COMBINER
DUT
SPECTRUM
ANALYZER
MMIC
SIGNAL
GENERATOR
LOW-PASS
FILTER (LPF)
ISOLATOR
019aac410
Fig 6.
UM10480
User manual
Output intercept point (OIP3) set-up
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Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
6.4 Noise
The Noise Figure (NF) is measured using a calibrated noise source with a specified
Excess Noise Ratio (ENR), and a spectrum analyzer with a noise measurement option.
The system is calibrated with this noise source in order to measure accurate noise figures;
see Figure 7.
POWER
SUPPLY
NOISE
SOURCE
DUT
MMIC
Fig 7.
UM10480
User manual
SPECTRUM
ANALYZER
including
NOISE OPTION
019aac411
Noise figure measurement set-up
All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers.
Rev. 2 — 26 July 2011
© NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
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UM10480
NXP Semiconductors
Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
7. Jumpers and connectors
019aac412
Fig 8.
Table 1.
BGA7210 RF evaluation board jumpers and connectors
RF evaluation board components
Component reference
Description
RF connectors
X6, X7
calibration port for determining PCB losses
X1
RF in
X5
RF out
Control interface
X2
USB interface board connector
Voltage supply
X4
external supply voltage 5 V/200 mA
X3
power configuration jumper
The RF evaluation board is powered through connector X4. The X3 jumpers are set as
shown in Figure 9.
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User manual
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VUSB
VDDD
VCC1
VDDA
VCC2
VRFO
Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
X3
019aac413
Fig 9.
X3 jumper setting using supply voltage on X4
VUSB
VDDD
VCC1
VDDA
VCC2
VRFO
The 5 V provided by the USB port can be used for quick tests. In that case X4 should not
be used and jumpers on X3 should be set as shown in Figure 10.
X3
019aac414
Fig 10. X3 jumper setting using USB supply voltage on X2
8. Abbreviations
Table 2.
Acronym
UM10480
User manual
Abbreviations
Description
DUT
Device Under Test
ESD
ElectroStatic Discharge
IMD3
Inter-Modulation Distortion (third-order)
MMIC
Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit
PCB
Printed-Circuit Board
USB
Universal Serial Bus
VGA
Variable Gain Amplifier
All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers.
Rev. 2 — 26 July 2011
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UM10480
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Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
9. Legal information
9.1
Definitions
Draft — The document is a draft version only. The content is still under
internal review and subject to formal approval, which may result in
modifications or additions. NXP Semiconductors does not give any
representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of
information included herein and shall have no liability for the consequences of
use of such information.
9.2
Disclaimers
Limited warranty and liability — Information in this document is believed to
be accurate and reliable. However, NXP Semiconductors does not give any
representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or
completeness of such information and shall have no liability for the
consequences of use of such information.
In no event shall NXP Semiconductors be liable for any indirect, incidental,
punitive, special or consequential damages (including - without limitation - lost
profits, lost savings, business interruption, costs related to the removal or
replacement of any products or rework charges) whether or not such
damages are based on tort (including negligence), warranty, breach of
contract or any other legal theory.
Notwithstanding any damages that customer might incur for any reason
whatsoever, NXP Semiconductors’ aggregate and cumulative liability towards
customer for the products described herein shall be limited in accordance
with the Terms and conditions of commercial sale of NXP Semiconductors.
Right to make changes — NXP Semiconductors reserves the right to make
changes to information published in this document, including without
limitation specifications and product descriptions, at any time and without
notice. This document supersedes and replaces all information supplied prior
to the publication hereof.
Suitability for use — NXP Semiconductors products are not designed,
authorized or warranted to be suitable for use in life support, life-critical or
safety-critical systems or equipment, nor in applications where failure or
malfunction of an NXP Semiconductors product can reasonably be expected
to result in personal injury, death or severe property or environmental
damage. NXP Semiconductors accepts no liability for inclusion and/or use of
NXP Semiconductors products in such equipment or applications and
therefore such inclusion and/or use is at the customer’s own risk.
Applications — Applications that are described herein for any of these
products are for illustrative purposes only. NXP Semiconductors makes no
representation or warranty that such applications will be suitable for the
specified use without further testing or modification.
Customers are responsible for the design and operation of their applications
and products using NXP Semiconductors products, and NXP Semiconductors
accepts no liability for any assistance with applications or customer product
UM10480
User manual
design. It is customer’s sole responsibility to determine whether the NXP
Semiconductors product is suitable and fit for the customer’s applications and
products planned, as well as for the planned application and use of
customer’s third party customer(s). Customers should provide appropriate
design and operating safeguards to minimize the risks associated with their
applications and products.
NXP Semiconductors does not accept any liability related to any default,
damage, costs or problem which is based on any weakness or default in the
customer’s applications or products, or the application or use by customer’s
third party customer(s). Customer is responsible for doing all necessary
testing for the customer’s applications and products using NXP
Semiconductors products in order to avoid a default of the applications and
the products or of the application or use by customer’s third party
customer(s). NXP does not accept any liability in this respect.
Export control — This document as well as the item(s) described herein
may be subject to export control regulations. Export might require a prior
authorization from national authorities.
Evaluation products — This product is provided on an “as is” and “with all
faults” basis for evaluation purposes only. NXP Semiconductors, its affiliates
and their suppliers expressly disclaim all warranties, whether express, implied
or statutory, including but not limited to the implied warranties of
non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The
entire risk as to the quality, or arising out of the use or performance, of this
product remains with customer.
In no event shall NXP Semiconductors, its affiliates or their suppliers be liable
to customer for any special, indirect, consequential, punitive or incidental
damages (including without limitation damages for loss of business, business
interruption, loss of use, loss of data or information, and the like) arising out
the use of or inability to use the product, whether or not based on tort
(including negligence), strict liability, breach of contract, breach of warranty or
any other theory, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
Notwithstanding any damages that customer might incur for any reason
whatsoever (including without limitation, all damages referenced above and
all direct or general damages), the entire liability of NXP Semiconductors, its
affiliates and their suppliers and customer’s exclusive remedy for all of the
foregoing shall be limited to actual damages incurred by customer based on
reasonable reliance up to the greater of the amount actually paid by customer
for the product or five dollars (US$5.00). The foregoing limitations, exclusions
and disclaimers shall apply to the maximum extent permitted by applicable
law, even if any remedy fails of its essential purpose.
9.3
Trademarks
Notice: All referenced brands, product names, service names and trademarks
are the property of their respective owners.
All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers.
Rev. 2 — 26 July 2011
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Variable gain amplifier BGA7210
10. Contents
1
2
3
4
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
7
8
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
10
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Quick start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Customer evaluation kit contents . . . . . . . . . . 4
Controlling the customer RF evaluation board 5
Improving linearity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Quick tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Setting current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Setting attenuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Power save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
BGA7210 evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
S-parameters and output compression point . . 7
Output third-order intercept point . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Jumpers and connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Legal information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Disclaimers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Trademarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Please be aware that important notices concerning this document and the product(s)
described herein, have been included in section ‘Legal information’.
© NXP B.V. 2011.
All rights reserved.
For more information, please visit: http://www.nxp.com
For sales office addresses, please send an email to: [email protected]
Date of release: 26 July 2011
Document identifier: UM10480