Extreme BW RF Amplifiers

We've developed several models of extremely wide bandwidth RF amplifiers, covering the frequency ranges from 5 KHz to 500 MHz, 5 KHz to 1 GHz, 5 KHz to 2 GHz, and 5 KHz to 3 GHz. This amplifier was developed to provide high dynamic range amplification of communication signals starting from 5 KHz and up to 3 GHz. In addition to the Extreme Bandwidth RF amplifier, we've incorporated a design-adjustable equalizer at the amplifier input and an optional resistive power divider at the amplifier output, all integrated into the same package.

We've recently designed the Extreme BW RF amplfiers to run off of +15V DC. Some measured data on the +15V parts is shown in the table below

• +24 Volt or +15 Volt DC Supply
  • +24 Volt Supply amplfiers have flatter gain response from 5 KHz to 10 MHz
  • +15 Volt Supply amplfiers have about 1.4 dB of gain rolloff from 5 KHz to 10 MHz
• Selectable upper frequency band
• 500 MHz, 1 GHz, 2 GHz, or 3 GHz
• Selectable input equalizer to conpensate for gain slope:
• Conmpensate for gain slope up to upper frequency band
• 0 dB Slope for best noise figure
• Compensate for additonal slope in your system
• Output Choices:
• A (upper) Output
• B (lower) Output
• A and B Output, divided with resistive power divider (gain will br 6 dB lower)

The typical performance of the Extreme BW RF Amplifier design is provided below:

Frequency Range: 5 KHz to 2 GHz Gain: 24 to 20 dB from 5 KHz to 2 GHz Noise Figure: 4.0 to 5.0 dB from 10 MHz to 2 GHz 1 dB Output Compression Point: 21 dBm typical Third Order Output Intercept Point: 35-37 dBm typical Input Voltage: +24 VDC (single voltage!) Input current: 100 mA typical Integrated Package Size: 1.9" L X 1.3" W X 0.4" H. This package includes input DC filter, input equalizer, and output resistive power divider Input equalizer slopes are customizable (0-12 dB slope across the band) Output resistive power divider can be "zeroed out" if not needed Options for +12 to +15 VDC inputs with additional DC-DC converter and DC filter Maximum RF input power: +13 dBm

We've taken quite a lot of data on the Extreme BW RF Amplifier. Some of the measured data is provided below

• Plot of Extreme BW RF Amplifier Gain from 10 MHz to 2 GHz (no equalization)
• Plot of Amplifier Noise Figure (no equalization)
• Plot of 1 dB Output Compression Point (Pout 1dB)
• Third Order Output Intercept Point (T.O.O.I.P) measured data
• Plot of a Three-Amplifier assembly built and tested, showing Gain from 5 KHz to 2 GHz, built as follows:
• Amp #1: No input equalization
• Amp #2: 7 dB input equalization
• Amp #3: 8 dB input equalization
• 4 dB attenuation between Amp #1 and #2, 18 dB attenuation between Amp #2 and #3
• Actual measured points of Three-Amplifier assembly Gain from 5 KHz to 2 GHz
• Plot of Amplifier Gain with resistive power divider at output (~6 dB less gain
• An example of the use of the input equalizer:
• Amplifier Gain plot without equalization (5 dB negative slope)
• Amplifier Gain plot with 6 dB positive input equalization, designed to provide about 1 dB positive slope
• The Amplifier package outline drawing

The current amplifier shown is referenced as follows:

• X = Input Equalizer Slope (full band slope)
• Y = Output Port
• A = One output (no power divider)
• B = Two outputs (with resistive power divider)

A block diagram of the Extreme BW RF Amplifier is shown below.

The typical performance of the Extreme BW RF Amplifier design is provided below:

Frequency Range: 5 KHz to 3 GHz Gain: 16.5 dB average from 5 KHz to 3 GHz (equalized) Noise Figure: 12.8 dB to 5.8 from 10 MHz to 3 GHz 1 dB Output Compression Point: 21 dBm typical Third Order Output Intercept Point: 35-37 dBm typical Input Voltage: +24 VDC (single voltage!) Input current: 100 mA typical Integrated Package Size: 1.9" L X 1.3" W X 0.4" H. This package includes input DC filter, input equalizer, and output resistive power divider Input equalizer slopes are customizable (0-12 dB slope across the band) Output resistive power divider can be "zeroed out" if not needed Options for +12 to +15 VDC inputs with additional DC-DC converter and DC filter Maximum RF input power: +13 dBm

Some of the measured data is provided below

• Plot of Extreme BW RF Amplifier Gain from 10 MHz to 3 GHz (with equalization for flat gain)
• Plot of Extreme BW RF Amplifier Input Return Loss (with equalization for flat gain)
• Plot of Extreme BW RF Amplifier Output Return Loss (with equalization for flat gain)
• Plot of Amplifier Noise Figure (with equalization for flat gain)
• Plot of 1 dB Output Compression Point (Pout 1dB)
• Third Order Output Intercept Point (T.O.O.I.P) measured data

The current amplifier shown is referenced as follows:

• X = Input Equalizer Slope (full band slope)
• Y = Output Port
• A = One output (no power divider)
• B = Two outputs (with resistive power divider)

In the picture below, 3 Extreme BW RF Amplfiers, a DC-DC Comverter, and DC Filter are being assembled into a custom RF Module for one of our customers.

If you would like us to quote an order for this amplifier, or custom design an Extreme BW RF Amplifier similar to this one, please contact us.