MGA-81563
0.1–6 GHz 3 V, 14 dBm Amplifier
Data Sheet
Description
Avago’s MGA-81563 is an economical, easy-to-use GaAs
MMIC amplifier that offers excellent power and low noise
figure for applications from 0.1 to 6 GHz. Packaged in
an ultra-miniature SOT-363 package, it requires half the
board space of a SOT-143 package.
The output of the amplifier is matched to 50Ω (better
than 2.1:1 VSWR) across the entire bandwidth. The input is
partially matched to 50Ω (better than 2.5:1 VSWR) below
4 GHz and fully matched to 50Ω (better than 2:1 VSWR)
above. A simple series inductor can be added to the in-
put to improve the input match below 4 GHz. The ampli-
fier allows a wide dynamic range by offering a 2.7 dB NF
coupled with a +27 dBm Output IP
3
.
The circuit uses state-of-the-art PHEMT technology
with proven reliability. On-chip bias circuitry allows op-
eration from a single +3 V power supply, while resistive
feedback ensures stability (K>1) over all frequencies and
temperatures.
Features
x
Lead-free Option Available
x
+14.8 dBm P
1dB
at 2.0 GHz
+17 dBm P
sat
at 2.0 GHz
x
Single +3V Supply
x
2.8 dB Noise Figure at 2.0 GHz
x
12.4 dB Gain at 2.0 GHz
x
Ultra-miniature Package
x
Unconditionally Stable
Applications
x
Buffer or Driver Amp for PCS, PHS, ISM, SATCOM and
WLL Applications
x
High Dynamic Range LNA
Simplified Schematic
OUTPUT
and V
d
6
INPUT
3
Surface Mount Package: SOT-363 (SC-70)
BIAS
BIAS
Pin Connections and Package Marking
GND 1
GND 2
INPUT 3
OUTPUT
6 and V
d
5 GND
4 GND
GND
1, 2, 4, 5
Note: Package marking provides orientation and identification.
"81" = Device Code
"x" = Date code character identifies month of manufacture
81x
Attention: Observe precautions for
handling electrostatic sensitive devices.
ESD Human Body Model (Class 0)
Refer to Avago Application Note A004R:
Electrostatic Discharge Damage and Control.
MGA-81563 Absolute Maximum Ratings
Symbol
V
d
V
gd
V
in
P
in
T
ch
T
STG
Parameter
Device Voltage, RF Output
to Ground
Device Voltage, Gate
to Drain
Range of RF Input Voltage
to Ground
CW RF Input Power
Channel Temperature
Storage Temperature
Units
V
V
V
dBm
°C
°C
Absolute
Maximum
[1]
6.0
-6.0
+0.5 to -1.0
+13
165
-65 to 150
Thermal Resistance
[2]
:
T
ch-c
= 220°C/W
Notes:
1. Permanent damage may occur if any of
these limits are exceeded.
2. T
C
= 25°C (T
C
is defined to be the
temperature at the package pins where
contact is made to the circuit board.)
MGA-81563 Electrical Specifications, TC = 25°C, ZO = 50 Ω, Vd = 3 V
Symbol
Gtest
NFtest
NF50
Parameters and Test Conditions
Gain in test circuit
[1]
Noise Figure in test circuit
[1]
Noise Figure in 50 Ω system
f = 2.0 GHz
f = 2.0 GHz
f = 0.5 GHz
f = 1.0 GHz
f = 2.0 GHz
f = 3.0 GHz
f = 4.0 GHz
f = 6.0 GHz
f = 0.5 GHz
f = 1.0 GHz
f = 2.0 GHz
= 3.0 GHz
f = 4.0 GHz
f = 6.0 GHz
f = 0.5 GHz
f = 1.0 GHz
f = 2.0 GHz
f = 3.0 GHz
f = 4.0 GHz
f = 6.0 GHz
f = 2.0 GHz
f = 2.0 GHz
f = 2.0 GHz
Units
Min.
10.5
Typ.
12.4
2.8
Max.
14.5
3.8
Std Dev
[2]
0.44
0.21
0.21
dB
3.1
3.0
2.7
2.7
2.8
3.5
12.5
12.5
12.3
11.8
11.4
10.2
15.1
14.8
14.8
14.8
14.8
14.7
+27
2.7:1
2.0:1
|S21|2
Gain in 50 Ω system
dB
0.44
P
1 dB
Output Power at 1 dB Gain Compression
dBm
0.86
IP
3
VSWR
in
VSWR
out
I
d
Output Third Order Intercept Point
Input VSWR
Output VSWR
Device Current
dBm
1.0
mA
31
42
51
Notes:
1. Guaranteed specifications are 100% tested in the circuit in Figure 10 in the Applications Information section.
2. Standard deviation number is based on measurement of at least 500 parts from three non-consecutive wafer lots during the initial characterization
of this product, and is intended to be used as an estimate for distribution of the typical specification.
2
MGA-81563 Applications Information
Introduction
This high performance GaAs MMIC amplifier was
developed for commercial wireless applications from
100 MHz to 6 GHz.
The MGA-81563 runs on only 3 volts and typically requires
only 42 mA to deliver 14.8 dBm of output power at 1 dB
gain compression.
An innovative internal bias circuit regulates the device’s
internal current to enable the MGA-81563 to operate over
a wide temperature range with a single, positive power
supply of 3 volts. The MGA-81563 will operate with re-
duced performance with voltages as low as 1.5 volts.
The MGA-81563 uses resistive feedback to simultaneously
achieve flat gain over a wide bandwidth and match the in-
put and output impedances to 50Ω. The MGA-81563 is un-
conditionally stable (K>1) over its entire frequency range,
making it both very easy to use and yielding consistent
performance in the manufacture of high volume wireless
products.
With a combination of high linearity (+27 dBm output IP
3
)
and low noise figure (3 dB), the MGA-81563 offers out-
standing performance for applications requiring a high
dynamic range, such as receivers operating in dense sig-
nal environments. A wide dynamic range amplifier such as
the MGA-81563 can often be used to relieve the require-
ments of bulky, lossy filters at a receiver’s input.
The 14.8 dBm output power (P
1dB
) also makes the MGA-
81563 extremely useful for pre-driver, driver and buffer
stages. For transmitter gain stage applications that re-
quire higher output power, the MGA-81563 can provide
50 mW (17 dBm) of saturated output power with a high
power added efficiency of 45%.
Phase Reference Planes
The positions of the reference planes used to specify the
S-Parameters and Noise Parameters for this device are
shown in Figure 11. As seen in the illustration, the refer-
ence planes are located at the point where the package
leads contact the test circuit.
REFERENCE
PLANES
TEST CIRCUIT
Figure 11. Phase Reference Planes.
Specifications and Statistical Parameters
Several categories of parameters appear within this data
sheet. Parameters may be described with values that are
either “minimum or maximum,” “typical,” or “standard de-
viations.”
The values for parameters are based on comprehensive
product characterization data, in which automated mea-
surements are made on of a minimum of 500 parts taken
from 3 non-consecutive process lots of semiconductor
wafers. The data derived from product characterization
tends to be normally distributed, e.g., fits the standard
“bell curve.”
Parameters considered to be the most important to sys-
tem performance are bounded by minimum or maximum
values. For the MGA-81563, these parameters are: Gain
(G
test
), Noise Figure (NF
test
), and Device Current (I
d
). Each of
these guaranteed parameters is 100% tested.
Values for most of the parameters in the table of Electrical
Specifications that are described by typical data are the
mathematical mean (P), of the normal distribution taken
from the characterization data. For parameters where
measurements or mathematical averaging may not be
practical, such as the Noise and S-parameter tables or
performance curves, the data represents a nominal part
taken from the “center” of the characterization distribu-
tion. Typical values are intended to be used as a basis for
electrical design.
To assist designers in optimizing not only the immediate
circuit using the MGA-81563, but to also optimize and
evaluate trade-offs that affect a complete wireless system,
the standard deviation (V) is provided for many of the
Electrical Specifications parameters (at 25°) in addition
to the mean. The standard deviation is a measure of the
variability about the mean. It will be recalled that a nor-
mal distribution is completely described by the mean and
standard deviation.
Test Circuit
The circuit shown in Figure 10 is used for 100% RF testing
of Noise Figure and Gain. The 3.9 nH inductor at the input
fix-tunes the circuit to 2 GHz. The only purpose of the RFC
at the output is to apply DC bias to the device under test.
Tests in this circuit are used to guarantee the NF
test
and G
test
parameters shown in the table of Electrical Specifications.
100 pF
RF
INPUT
3.9 nH
RF
OUTPUT
22 nH
RFC
Vd
100 pF
Figure 10. Test Circuit.
81
5