Device Overview

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General Description

The APM-7516 is a robust broadband distributed, low phase noise LO driver amplifier designed to provide greater than +20 dBm output power with excellent return losses and high input power handling. This amplifier uses GaAs HBT technology for low phase noise and is optimized to provide enough power to drive the LO port of an S-diode mixer from 1 GHz to 18 GHz or of an H or L diode mixer from 1 GHz to 22 GHz. This amplifier can be operated with a variety of bias conditions for both low power and high-power applications.

Photo of APM-7516PA

Features

  • -164 dBc/Hz phase noise at 10 kHz offset frequency
  • +20 dBm output power up to 18GHz
  • High Linearity (+33 dBm OIP3)
  • Excellent Return Losses
  • +20dBm Input Power Handling
  • Positive-only biasing

Applications

  • Mobile test and measurement equipment
  • 5G transceivers
  • Driver amplifier L,H,S – diode mixers
  • Radar
  • SATCOM

Functional Block Diagram

Block Diagram

Part Ordering Options

Part NumberDescriptionPackageConnectorsGreen StatusProduct LifecycleExport Classification
APM-7516PA1 GHz – 22 GHz Low Phase Noise AmplifierPAStandard

REACH

RoHS

ReleasedEAR99

Table Of Contents

Revision History

Revision CodeRevision DateComment
-2022-02-01Initial Datasheet Release
A2023-02-01Added IP2 Plots
B2026-02-13MTTF Table Added.

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Port Configuration and Functions

Port Diagram

A port diagram of the APM-7516PA is shown below.

Diagram of the port configuration for APM-7516PA

Port Functions

PortFunctionConnector TypeDescriptionDC Equivalent
Circuit
GNDGround -Housing or outside of the coaxial cables must be connected to a DC/RF ground potential with high thermal and electrical conductivity.Equivalent circuit for the Ground
RF InRF Input 2.92FThis is the RF Input port of the amplifier die. It is RF matched to 50 Ω, and has built-in DC blocking capacitors. Equivalent circuit for the RF Input
RF OutRF Output 2.92MThis is the amplifier’s RF Output. It is RF matched to 50 Ω and has built-in DC blocking capacitors. Must have less than 7:1 VSWR when operating.Equivalent circuit for the RF Output
VBBase Current Mirror Bias Port -Port VB is the DC voltage bias for the current mirror that controls collector current supplied to the amplifier. Larger voltages result in a higher current draw through port VC, effectively functioning as a gain control pin of the amplifier. See Typical Performance Plots for performance at different bias conditions.Equivalent circuit for the Base Current Mirror Bias Port
VCCollector DC Supply Port -Port VC is the DC voltage supply that supplies the amplifier’s collector current. It is connected directly to the VC port on the amplifier IC.Equivalent circuit for the Collector DC Supply Port

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Specifications

Absolute Maximum Ratings

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.

ParameterMaximum RatingUnit
Collector Positive Bias Voltage (Vc) 6V
Continuous Power Dissipation (PDISS) (at 85 ˚C case temp.) 1.2W
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
Output Load VSWR 7-
Positive Bias Current (Ic) 240mA
Positive DC Current Mirror Current (Ib) 15mA
Positive DC Current Mirror Voltage (Vb) 6V
RF Input Power 20dBm
θJC, Junction to Case Thermal Resistance 33ºC/W

FIT and MTTF Table

T (°C) λ (TIF) MTTF (hr) MTTF (yr)
1052,441.454.10E+0547
85310.483.22E+06368
558.791.14E+0812,992
250.128.24E+09941,063

Package Information

ParameterDetailsRating
Dimensions-28.5 x 15 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.

ParameterMinNominalMaxUnit
Positive DC Voltage (VC) -5-V
Positive DC Current Mirror Voltage (VB) -5-V
Positive DC Current Mirror Current (Ib) 1-5-mA
Positive DC Current (Ic) 2-106-mA

[1][2] Recommended operating current conditions given without RF input applied. Please see typical performance plots for relationship between RF input power and DC current draw.

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Electrical Specifications

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.

ParameterTest ConditionsMinimum
Frequency
(GHz)		 Maximum
Frequency
(GHz)		MinTypMaxUnit
Current Consumption 5V/4V
- --74-mA
Current Consumption 5V/5V
- --106-mA
Current Consumption 5V/6V
- --141-mA
Current Mirror, Ib 5V/4V
- --4-mA
Current Mirror, Ib 5V/5V
- --5-mA
Current Mirror, Ib 5V/6V
- --7-mA
Input IP3 5V/5V, -15 dBm Input Power
1 22-21-dBm
Input Power for Saturation 5V/5V
1 22-12-dBm
Input Return Loss 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power
1 22-18-dB
Noise Figure 5V/5V bias, -30 dBm Input Power
1 22-5.1-dB
Output IP3 5V/5V, -15 dBm Input Power
1 22-33-dBm
Output P1dB 5V/5V
1 22-18-dBm
Output Return Loss 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power
1 22-20-dB
Phase Noise @ 10 kHz Offset +13 dBm Input power
4 4--164-dBc/Hz
Reverse Isolation 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power
1 22-34-dB
Saturated Output Power 5V/5V bias, P5dB
15 22-20-dBm
Saturated Output Power 5V/5V bias, P5dB
1 3-23-dBm
Saturated Output Power 5V/5V bias, P5dB
3 151923-dBm
Small Signal Gain 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power
15 22-11-dB
Small Signal Gain 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power
1 3-12-dB
Small Signal Gain 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power
3 151012.5-dB

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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APM-7516PA Typical Performance Plots

Output Compression Curves (dBm) vs. Frequency, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Small Signal Gain (dB) vs. Frequency, Vc = 5V graph for APM-7516PA
Output Compression Curves (dBm) vs. Frequency, 6V/6V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Small Signal Gain (dB) vs. Frequency, Vc = 6V graph for APM-7516PA
Output Compression Curves (dBm) vs. Frequency, 4V/4V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Small Signal Gain (dB) vs. Frequency, Vc = 4V graph for APM-7516PA
Input Return Loss (dB) vs. Frequency, Vc = 5V graph for APM-7516PA
Output Return Loss (dB) vs. Frequency, Vc = 5V graph for APM-7516PA

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Reverse Isolation (dB) vs. Frequency, Vc = 5V graph for APM-7516PA
Residual Phase Noise (dBc/Hz) vs. Offset Frequency, +5V/+5V Bias, +13dBm Input Power, F = 4 GHz graph for APM-7516PA
OIP3 (dBm) vs. Frequency, over Bias graph for APM-7516PA
IIP3 (dBm) vs. Frequency, Over Bias graph for APM-7516PA
OIP2(dBm) vs. Frequency graph for APM-7516PA
IIP2(dBm) vs. Frequency graph for APM-7516PA
Harmonic Response (dBm) vs. Input Frequency, +10 dBm Input Power, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Noise Figure (dB) vs Frequency, over Bias graph for APM-7516PA

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Output Power (dBm) vs. Frequency, Over Temperature, +10dBm Input Power, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Small Signal Gain (dB) vs. Frequency, Over Temperature, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Output Power (dBm), Gain (dB), and PAE (%) vs. Input Power, F = 5 GHz, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Output Power (dBm), Gain (dB), and PAE (%) vs. Input Power, F = 10 GHz, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Output Power (dBm), Gain (dB), and PAE (%) vs. Input Power, F = 15 GHz, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Collector Current (mA) vs. RF Input Power, Over Frequency, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PA
Ic, Ib (mA) vs. VB (VC = 5V) graph for APM-7516PA

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Typical Performance Plots of Marki Mixers with APM-7516PA LO Driver

MM1-0626S Config A Conv. Loss (dB) vs. Frequency, APM-7516PA LO Driver, 5V/5V Bias, 91 MHz IF Freq. graph for APM-7516PA
MM1-0626S IIP3 (dBm) vs. Frequency, APM-7516PA LO Driver, 5V/5V Bias, 91 MHz IF Freq. graph for APM-7516PA
MM1-0222H Config A Conv. Loss (dB) vs. Frequency, APM-7516PA LO Driver, 5V/5V Bias, 91 MHz IF Freq. graph for APM-7516PA
MM1-0222H IIP3 (dBm) vs. Frequency, APM-7516PA LO Driver, 5V/5V Bias, 91 MHz IF Freq. graph for APM-7516PA
MM1-0312S Config A Conv. Loss (dB) vs. Frequency, APM-7516PA LO Driver, 5V/5V Bias, 91 MHz IF Freq. graph for APM-7516PA
MM1-0312S IIP3 (dBm) vs. Frequency, APM-7516PA LO Driver, 5V/5V Bias, 91 MHz IF Freq. graph for APM-7516PA

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Time Domain Plots

Output Waveform (V) vs. Time, F = 2 GHz, +5V/+5V Bias, +10 dBm Input Power graph for APM-7516PA
Output Waveform (V) vs. Time, F = 2 GHz, +5V/+5V Bias, +15 dBm Input Power graph for APM-7516PA
Output Waveform (V) vs. Time, F = 5 GHz, +5V/+5V Bias, +15 dBm Input Power graph for APM-7516PA
Output Waveform (V) vs. Time, F = 10 GHz, +5V/+5V Bias, +15 dBm Input Power graph for APM-7516PA

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Mechanical Data

Outline Drawing

Download : Outline 2D Drawing

Outline Drawing

Rev: B | Copyright © 2022 - 2023, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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