MICRF300 Evaluation Board
315/433/868/915MHz, 1.8V to 3.6V,
Low-Noise Amplifier with Shutdown
General Description
The MICRF300 evaluation board (EV) allows the
customer to easily evaluate the MICRF300 low-noise
amplifier (LNA) with low-power shutdown mode. The
device is targeted for low-power, low-data rate
applications at 315/433.92MHz, achieving a low 1.15dB
noise figure with 18dB of gain. This helps to improve
receiver system noise figure and sensitivity. The device
also performs well at 868/915MHz, achieving 13dB of
gain and a noise figure of 1.7dB. The device consumes
a low 2.5mA of supply current while operating and under
1µA of supply current in shutdown mode. A simple logic-
level enable input enables or disables the MICRF300.
The device requires a simple input and output matching
network to optimize performance for the desired
frequency. Evaluation boards that have been tuned for
315MHz, 433.92MHz, or 900MHz (covers common
frequencies of 868MHz and 902MHz to 928MHz) are
available. The device can be tuned to support other RF
frequencies between 100MHz and 1000MHz.
Data sheets and support documentation can be found
on Micrel’s web site at
www.micrel.com.
Output Measurements
The MICRF300 EV kits are fully assembled and factory
tested. Follow the instructions in the “Getting Started”
section for proper device evaluation.
Test Equipment Required
A DC power supply that can provide 1.8V to 3.6V and
5mA of supply current
An ammeter used to measure device current
An RF signal generator that can deliver –50dBm to
–30dBm of output power over the 100MHz to
1000MHz frequency range
An RF spectrum analyzer that covers the operating
frequency range
Two 50Ω coaxial cables with SMA connectors
Optional:
A noise figure meter with noise source; for
example, a HP8970B NF meter with a HP346B noise
source
Optional:
A network analyzer to measure gain and
return loss
Precautions
The MICRF300 evaluation board does not have reverse
polarity protection. Applying a negative voltage to the
V
IN
terminal may damage the device.
Ordering Information
Part Number
MICRF300-315EV
MICRF300-433EV
MICRF300-900EV
Description
MICRF300 Evaluation Board (EV)
tuned for 315MHz
MICRF300 Evaluation Board (EV)
tuned for 433.92MHz
MICRF300 Evaluation Board (EV)
tuned for 868/915MHz
Micrel Inc. • 2180 Fortune Drive • San Jose, CA 95131 • USA • tel +1 (408) 944-0800 • fax + 1 (408) 474-1000 •
http://www.micrel.com
November 2012
M9999-110612-A
RadioTech@micrel.com
or (408) 944-0800
Micrel, Inc.
MICRF300 Evaluation Board
Checking Noise Figure
Noise figure measurements on a low-noise device such
as the MICRF300 are sensitive to board parasitic and
lab setup losses. Connector, cable, and board losses
must be taken into account. There are many techniques
and precautions for measuring low noise-figure values.
A discussion on low-level noise-figure measurements is
beyond the scope of this document. For more
information about performing low-level noise-figure
measurements refer to Hewlett Packard’s
Application
Note #57-2, Noise Figure Measurement Accuracy.
Layout Considerations
Good PC board layout procedures are important for
successful RF circuit design. The MICRF300EV kit can
be used as a guide for laying out the printed circuit
board. Locate a decoupling capacitor close to the device
VCC pin and additional capacitors on long VCC traces.
These decoupling capacitors, with a proper ground,
minimize supply noise coupling. Good grounding
includes connecting the device GND pin directly to the
ground plane through vias. Also connect any other
component requiring a GND connection directly through
to the ground plane using a via.
Getting Started
Measuring Power and Gain
1. Do not turn on power supply. Connect an external
supply to VCC. Connect the supply voltage through
an ammeter to VCC and GND, paying careful
attention to polarity and supply voltage (1.8V
≤
VCC
≤
3.6V).
2. Enable the MICRF300EV. The evaluation board can
be enabled through the EN Pin J4. A voltage
≤
0.2V
on the EN pin places the MICRF300 in shutdown
mode. A voltage
≥
1.2V on the EN pin enables the
MICRF300. Connect the output supply voltage to
the EN pin. J4.
3. Set the RF generator to the operating frequency of
the MICRF300EV at an output power level of
–30dBm. Leave the RF power off until all
connections are made and DC power is applied to
the MICRF300.
4. Connect an SMA coaxial cable from the RF input
(RFIN), J1, to the RF generator’s output. Connect
an SMA coaxial cable from the RF output (RFOUT),
J2, to the input of the spectrum analyzer.
5. Turn on the DC supply. Supply current is typically
2.5 mA with EN
≥
1.2V and 0.05µA with EN
≤
0.2V.
6. Turn on the output power from the RF signal
generator and observe RF output power level at J2.
Calculate gain with respect to the RF input power
level.
Optional:
Further evaluation can be conducted using a
network analyzer. These measurements include S11,
S22, S12, and S21 values. Refer to your network
analyzer’s user manual for setup requirements.
November 2012
2
M9999-110612-A
RadioTech@micrel.com
or (408) 944-0800
Micrel, Inc.
MICRF300 Evaluation Board
Evaluation Board Schematic
Bill of Materials for 315MHz
Item
C1
C2
C3
L1
L2
U1
Notes:
1.
2.
3.
Murata:
www.murata.com.
Coilcraft:
www.coilcraft.com.
Micrel, Inc:
www.micrel.com.
Part Number
GRM155R71H102K
GRM1555C1H5R6C
GRM155R61A104K
0402CS-33NXJ
LQG15HS47NJ
MICRF300YC6
Manufacturer
Murata
(1)
Murata
Murata
Coilcraft
(2)
Description
1nF ±10% 0402 capacitor
5.6pF ±0.25pF 0402 capacitor
0.1μF ±10% 0402 capacitor
33nH ±5% 0402 wire wound inductor
47nH ±5% 0402 multilayer inductor
Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) with Shutdown in SC70-6
Qty.
1
1
1
1
1
1
Murata
Micrel, Inc.
(3)
November 2012
3
M9999-110612-A
RadioTech@micrel.com
or (408) 944-0800
Micrel, Inc.
MICRF300 Evaluation Board
Bill of Materials for 433.92MHz
Item
C1
C2
C3
L1
L2
U1
Part Number
GRM155R71H102K
GRM1555C1H3R9C
GRM155R61A104K
0402CS-22NXJ
LQG15HS33NJ
MICRF300YC6
Manufacturer
Murata
(1)
Description
1nF ±10% 0402 capacitor
3.9pF ±0.25pF 0402 capacitor
0.1μF ±10% 0402 capacitor
22nH ±5% 0402 wire wound inductor
33nH ±5% 0402 multilayer inductor
Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) with Shutdown in SC70-6
Qty.
1
1
1
1
1
1
Murata
Murata
Coilcraft
(2)
Murata
Micrel, Inc.
(3)
Bill of Materials for 900MHz (868/915MHz)
Item
C1
C2
C3
L1
L2
U1
Notes:
1.
2.
3.
Murata:
www.murata.com.
Coilcraft:
www.coilcraft.com.
Micrel, Inc:
www.micrel.com.
Part Number
GRM1555C1H271J
GRM1555C1H1R8C
GRM155R71E104K
LQG15HS2N7S
LQG15HS10NJ
MICRF300YC6
Manufacturer
Murata(1)
Murata
Murata
Murata
Murata
Micrel, Inc.
(3)
Description
270pF ±5% 0402 capacitor
1.8pF ±0.25pF 0402 capacitor
0.1μF ±10% 0402 capacitor
2.7nH ±0.3nH 0402 multilayer inductor
10nH ±5% 0402 multilayer inductor
Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) with Shutdown in SC70-6
Qty.
1
1
1
1
1
1
November 2012
4
M9999-110612-A
RadioTech@micrel.com
or (408) 944-0800
Micrel, Inc.
MICRF300 Evaluation Board
PCB Layout Recommendations
Component Placement
Top Layer
November 2012
5
M9999-110612-A
RadioTech@micrel.com
or (408) 944-0800
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