Port Diagram
A port diagram of the APM-6849PA is shown below.

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The APM-6849 is a single stage broadband, low phase noise LO driver amplifier designed to provide saturated +21 dBm output power. This amplifier uses GaAs HBT technology for low phase noise, and provides industry leading -170 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset from carrier frequency. The amplifier is also highly efficient with 21% peak PAE at 5 GHz input frequency and low DC current draw. It is optimized to provide enough power to drive the LO port of an S-diode mixer (2 – 20 GHz) and an H/L-diode mixer (2 - 32 GHz). This amplifier is operational with a variety of bias conditions for both low and high-power applications.
| Part Number | Description | Package | Connectors | Green Status | Product Lifecycle | Export Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APM-6849PA | GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier | PA | Standard | REACH RoHS | Released | EAR99 |
| Part Number | Description | Package | Connectors | Green Status | Product Lifecycle | Export Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APM-6849PA | GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier | PA | Standard | REACH RoHS | Released | EAR99 |
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier
| Revision Code | Revision Date | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| - | 2019-11-01 | Datasheet Initial Release |
| A | 2020-01-01 | Added Time Domain Plots |
| B | 2020-07-01 | Updated Max Operating Temperature |
| C | 2020-07-01 | Updated Thermal Resistance Specification |
| D | 2020-10-01 | Updated Thermal Specs, Updated Min Specs |
| E | 2023-02-01 | Added IP2 Plots |
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier
A port diagram of the APM-6849PA is shown below.
| Port | Function | Connector Type | Description | DC Equivalent Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GND | Ground | - | Housing or coaxial cable’s outer metal layer must be connected to a DC/RF ground potential with high thermal and electrical conductivity. | |
| RF In | RF Input | 2.92F | This is the RF input port of the amplifier. It is internally DC blocked and RF matched to 50 Ω. | |
| RF Out | RF Output | 2.92M | This is the amplifier RF output port. It is internally DC blocked and RF matched to 50 Ω. Must have less than 7:1 VSWR when operating with voltage greater than +5V on port VC. | |
| VB | Base Supply | - | Port VB is the current mirror DC voltage supply port that controls the collector current supplied to the amplifier. VB port voltage is proportional to VC port collector current. VB effectively functions as a gain control pin. The VB port in the PA module internally connects to the IC’s VB port. | |
| VC | Collector Supply | - | Port VC is the 1-stage amplifier DC voltage supply port. The PA module VC port connects internally to the IC’s VC port. |
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier
The Absolute Maximum Ratings indicate limits beyond which damage may occur to the device. If these limits are exceeded, the device may become inoperable or have a reduced lifetime.
| Parameter | Maximum Rating | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Collector Positive Bias Voltage (Vc) | 7 | V |
| Current Mirror Positive Bias Current (Ib) | 4 | mA |
| Current Mirror Positive Bias Voltage (VB) | 7 | V |
| Maximum Operating Temperature | 85 | °C |
| Maximum Storage Temperature | 150 | °C |
| Max Junction Temperature for MTTF > 1E6 Hours | 125 | °C |
| Minimum Operating Temperature | -40 | °C |
| Minimum Storage Temperature | -65 | °C |
| Positive Bias Current (Ic) | 90 | mA |
| RF Input Power | 16 | dBm |
| θJC, Junction to Case Thermal Resistance | 78 | ºC/W |
| Parameter | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Package name: PA | 14.7g |
| Dimensions | - | 28.45 x 14.99 mm |
The Recommended Operating Conditions indicate the limits, inside which the device should be operated, to guarantee the performance given in Electrical Specifications Operating outside these limits may not necessarily cause damage to the device, but the performance may degrade outside the limits of the electrical specifications. For limits, above which damage may occur, see Absolute Maximum Ratings.
| Parameter | Min | Nominal | Max | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive DC Current Mirror Current (Ib) | 0.9 | 2 | 2.6 | mA |
| Positive DC Current (Ic) 1 | 8 | 21 | 32 | mA |
| Ambient Temperature | -40 | 25 | 85 | °C |
| Positive DC Voltage (VC) | 3 | 5 | 6 | V |
| Positive DC Current Mirror Voltage (VB) | 3 | 5 | 6 | V |
[1] Recommended operating current condition without RF input applied. Please see performance plots for relationship between RF input power and DC current.
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier
The electrical specifications apply at TA=+25°C in a 50Ω system. Min and Max limits apply only to our connectorized units and are guaranteed at TA=+25°C. Die are 100% DC tested and RF tested on a per lot basis.
| Parameter | Test Conditions | Minimum Frequency (GHz) | Maximum Frequency (GHz) | Min | Typ | Max | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Consumption 1 | 5V/4V | - | - | - | 13 | - | mA |
| Current Consumption 2 | 5V/5V | - | - | - | 21 | - | mA |
| Current Consumption 3 | 5V/6V | - | - | - | 32 | - | mA |
| Current Mirror, Ib | 5V/4V | - | - | - | 1.5 | - | mA |
| Current Mirror, Ib | 5V/5V | - | - | - | 2 | - | mA |
| Current Mirror, Ib | 5V/6V | - | - | - | 2.6 | - | mA |
| Input IP3 | 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power | 2 | 29 | - | 10 | - | dBm |
| Input Power for Saturation | 5V/5V bias | 2 | 29 | - | 10 | - | dBm |
| Input Return Loss | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 20 | 29 | - | 8 | - | dB |
| Input Return Loss | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 20 | - | 15 | - | dB |
| Noise Figure | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 26.5 | - | 5 | - | dB |
| Output IP3 | 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power | 2 | 29 | - | 21 | - | dBm |
| Output P1dB | 5V/5V bias | 20 | 29 | - | 15 | - | dBm |
| Output P1dB | 5V/5V bias | 2 | 20 | - | 20 | - | dBm |
| Output Return Loss | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 20 | - | 15 | - | dB |
| Output Return Loss | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 20 | 29 | - | 11 | - | dB |
| Phase Noise @ 10 kHz Offset | 5V/5V bias, +9 dBm Input power | 2 | 29 | - | -170 | - | dBc/Hz |
| Reverse Isolation | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 29 | - | 41 | - | dB |
| Saturated Output Power 4 | 5V/5V Bias, Input Driver (See footnote) | 2 | 20 | 19 | 21 | - | dBm |
| Saturated Output Power 5 | 5V/5V Bias, Input Driver (See footnote) | 20 | 29 | - | 19 | - | dBm |
| Small Signal Gain | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 20 | 9 | 11 | - | dB |
| Small Signal Gain | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 20 | 29 | - | 10 | - | dB |
| Parameter | Test Conditions | Minimum Frequency (GHz) | Maximum Frequency (GHz) | Min | Typ | Max | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Consumption 1 | 5V/4V | - | - | - | 13 | - | mA |
| Current Consumption 2 | 5V/5V | - | - | - | 21 | - | mA |
| Current Consumption 3 | 5V/6V | - | - | - | 32 | - | mA |
| Current Mirror, Ib | 5V/4V | - | - | - | 1.5 | - | mA |
| Current Mirror, Ib | 5V/5V | - | - | - | 2 | - | mA |
| Current Mirror, Ib | 5V/6V | - | - | - | 2.6 | - | mA |
| Input IP3 | 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power | 2 | 29 | - | 10 | - | dBm |
| Input Power for Saturation | 5V/5V bias | 2 | 29 | - | 10 | - | dBm |
| Input Return Loss | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 20 | 29 | - | 8 | - | dB |
| Input Return Loss | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 20 | - | 15 | - | dB |
| Noise Figure | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 26.5 | - | 5 | - | dB |
| Output IP3 | 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power | 2 | 29 | - | 21 | - | dBm |
| Output P1dB | 5V/5V bias | 20 | 29 | - | 15 | - | dBm |
| Output P1dB | 5V/5V bias | 2 | 20 | - | 20 | - | dBm |
| Output Return Loss | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 20 | - | 15 | - | dB |
| Output Return Loss | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 20 | 29 | - | 11 | - | dB |
| Phase Noise @ 10 kHz Offset | 5V/5V bias, +9 dBm Input power | 2 | 29 | - | -170 | - | dBc/Hz |
| Reverse Isolation | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 29 | - | 41 | - | dB |
| Saturated Output Power 4 | 5V/5V Bias, Input Driver (See footnote) | 2 | 20 | 19 | 21 | - | dBm |
| Saturated Output Power 5 | 5V/5V Bias, Input Driver (See footnote) | 20 | 29 | - | 19 | - | dBm |
| Small Signal Gain | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 2 | 20 | 9 | 11 | - | dB |
| Small Signal Gain | 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power | 20 | 29 | - | 10 | - | dB |
[1] Bias conditions for Ic and Ib tested with no RF input power. See performance plots for DC current vs. RF power. Bias conditions presented as VC/VB.
[2][3] Bias conditions for Ic and Ib tested with no RF input power. See performance plots for DC current vs. RF power. Bias conditions presented as VC/VB.
[4][5] Saturated Output Power tested with two APM-6849PA connected in series; +6 dBm RF input power, corresponding to ~+16 dBm into DUT.
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier
APM-6849PA
GaAs Broadband Low Phase Noise Amplifier