Using its proprietary GaAs enhancement-mode pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (E-pHEMT) process to achieve high gain operation with very low noise figures and high linearity, Agilent Technologies Inc. has developed what it claims is the industry’s lowest noise figure 0.9 to 3.5 GHz monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) low-noise amplifier (LNA). Plus, it offers a CMOS-compatible shutdown pin that provides variable bias to the amplifier to minimize standby current. In fact, the ALM-1106’s combination of low noise figure to improve sensitivity, miniature size, low-voltage operation, and battery-saving features makes the amplifier module a suitable choice for GPS receivers incorporated in mobile phone handsets.

“The ALM-1106 will help our customers reduce the PCB size and associated material costs for the cellular handset GPS function,” said Ho King Pieng, worldwide marketing manager for the Wireless Semiconductor Division in Agilent’s Semiconductor Products Group. “It offers better performance while being extremely cost-competitive with other GPS and ISM-band LNAs on the market.”

The high-performance GPS LNA presents an attractive solution for cellular handset manufacturers as they start offering location-based services. One of the approaches to implementing the U.S. FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Wireless Enhanced 911 (E911) mandate, which will require service providers to supply location information of a 911 caller, requires enhanced GPS capability in the phone itself. The GPS sensitivity required by some service providers can be met only with a high-performance GPS LNA and not by the GPS chipsets alone, according to Agilent.

The MMIC LNA operates from as low as 1 V, is equipped with a built-in shutdown function to minimize standby current, and is supplied in a leadless, small-footprint (2 mm x 2 mm), low-profile (1.1 mm maximum) molded chip on board (MCOB) package. It is also ideal for IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi receivers, and for receivers for 2 GHz and 3.5 GHz IEEE 802.16 WiMAX broadband wireless access.

Among the performance features of the ALM-1106 are a low 0.85-dB noise figure; high 14.8 dB gain; 0 dBm output power (1 dB gain compression); and wide dynamic range, with an input third-order intercept point of +5 dBm (all typical). The MMIC operates over a 1.0 V to 3.3 V range, with an operating current as low as 3.5 mA at 1 V, and a total shutdown current of approximately 120 microamperes total.

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