Device Overview

General Description

The APM-6849SM is a single stage broadband, low phase noise pre-amplifier designed to provide 11 dB typical gain packaged in a 3 mm QFN with low current consumption. This amplifier uses GaAs HBT technology for low phase noise, and provides industry leading 170 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset from carrier frequency. It offers low power dissipation while providing sufficient gain and power to drive a saturated LO driver amplifier such as the APM-7516SM, APM-7098SM, or APM-7099SM.

Photo of APM-6849SM

Features

  • -170 dBc/Hz phase noise at 10 kHz offset frequency
  • Low DC power consumption
  • Positive-only biasing
  • No sequencing required
  • Unconditionally stable
  • Integrated DC blocks – No bias-tees or off-chip blocking required

Applications

  • Mobile test and measurement equipment
  • Pre-amplifier for saturated LO driver amplifiers
  • Suitable as a T3 mixer LO pre-amplifier
  • 5G transceivers
  • SATCOM
  • Radar

Functional Block Diagram

Block Diagram

Part Ordering Options

Part NumberDescriptionPackagePacking SizeGreen StatusProduct LifecycleExport Classification
APM-6849SM2-30 GHz Surface Mount Low Phase Noise AmplifierQFN-

REACH

RoHS

ReleasedEAR99
EVAL-APM-6849SMEvaluation Board, Low Phase Noise 2 – 30 GHz AmplifierEVAL-

REACH

RoHS

ReleasedEAR99
APM-6849-TRTape and Reel, 2-30 GHz Surface Mount Low Phase Noise AmplifierQFN7"

REACH

RoHS

ReleasedEAR99

Table Of Contents

Revision History

Revision CodeRevision DateComment
-2019-11-01Datasheet Initial Release
A2020-05-01Updated EVAL board outline
B2020-07-01Updated Small Signal Gain Min Spec
C2020-07-01Updated Max Operating Temperature
D2020-10-01Updated Min Specs and Input Power for Saturation
E2020-11-01Updated Thermal Specs and Min Specs, added link
F2022-01-01Updated device description, input power limit, and plots

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Port Configuration and Functions

Port Diagram

Diagram of the port configuration for APM-6849SM

Port Functions

PortFunctionDescriptionDC Equivalent
Circuit
11RF Output Pin 11 is the amplifier die 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 VC. Equivalent circuit for the RF Output
14Collector Supply Port Pin 14 is the amplifier IC’s DC voltage supply pad. See section 3.6 for performance at different bias conditions.Equivalent circuit for the Collector Supply Port
2RF Input This is the amplifier die RF Input port. It is internally DC blocked and RF matched to 50 Ω. Equivalent circuit for the RF Input
6Base Supply Port Pin 6 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. See section 3.6 for performance at different bias conditions. Equivalent circuit for the Base Supply Port
GNDGround Pin 11 is the amplifier die 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 VC. Equivalent circuit for the Ground

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 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) 7V
Current Mirror Positive Bias Current (Ib) 4mA
Current Mirror Positive Bias Voltage (VB) 7V
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) 90mA
RF Input Power 116dBm
θJC 78ºC/W

[1] Maximum RF input power for instantaneous failure. Reliable operation requires RF input power limited to maintain Positive Bias Current Ic within reliable limits.

Package Information

ParameterDetailsRating
Dimensions-3 x 3 mm
Moisture Sensitivity Level-MSL 1

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
Ambient Temperature -402585°C
Positive DC Voltage (VC) 356V
Positive DC Current (Ic) 82132mA
Positive DC Current Mirror Voltage (VB) 356V
Positive DC Current Mirror Current (Ib) 0.922.6mA

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Electrical Specifications

The electrical specifications apply at TA=+25°C in a 50Ω system. QFNs are 100% RF tested.

ParameterTest ConditionsMinimum
Frequency
(GHz)
Maximum
Frequency
(GHz)
MinTypMaxUnit
Current Consumption 15V/4V
- --13-mA
Current Consumption 25V/5V
- --21-mA
Current Consumption 35V/6V
- --32-mA
Input IP3 5V/5V bias, -15 dBm Input Power
2 30-11-dBm
Input Return Loss 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power
2 20-15-dB
Input Return Loss 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power
20 30-15-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 30-20-dBm
Output P1dB 5V/5V bias
20 30-14-dBm
Output P1dB 5V/5V bias
2 20-20-dBm
Output Return Loss 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power
20 30-8-dB
Output Return Loss 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power
2 20-16-dB
Phase Noise @ 10 kHz Offset 5V/5V bias, +9 dBm Input power
2 30--170-dBc/Hz
Reverse Isolation 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power
2 30-42-dB
Saturated Output Power 5V/5V bias, Ic=90mA
2 20-21-dBm
Small Signal Gain 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power
20 30-7.5-dB
Small Signal Gain 5V/5V bias, -25 dBm Input Power
2 20811-dB

[1][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.

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

5

Typical Performance Plots

APM-6849SM measurements taken in EVAL-APM-6849 evaluation board.

Small Signal Gain (dB) vs. Frequency, VC = 5V graph for APM-6849SM
Small Signal Gain (dB) vs. Frequency, VC = 6V graph for APM-6849SM
Input Return Loss (dB) vs. Frequency, VC = 5V graph for APM-6849SM
Output Return Loss (dB) vs. Frequency, VC = 5V graph for APM-6849SM
Reverse Isolation (dB) vs. Frequency, VC = 5V graph for APM-6849SM
Output P1dB (dBm) vs. Frequency graph for APM-6849SM
Small Signal Gain (dB) Over Temperature, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-6849SM
Harmonic Response (dBm) vs. Input Freq., 5V/5V Bias, +10 dBm Pin graph for APM-6849SM

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

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IIp3 (dBm) vs. Frequency, -15 dBm Input Power graph for APM-6849SM
OIp3 (dBm) vs. Frequency, -15 dBm Input Power graph for APM-6849SM
Input Power at Ic=90mA, Vc=4V graph for APM-6849SM
Output Power at Ic=90mA, Vc=4V graph for APM-6849SM
Input Power at Ic=90mA, Vc=5V graph for APM-6849SM
Output Power at Ic=90mA, Vc=5V graph for APM-6849SM
Input Power at Ic=90mA, Vc=6V graph for APM-6849SM
Output Power at Ic=90mA, Vc=6V graph for APM-6849SM

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

7

Connectorized Module APM-6849PA Performance Plots

Surface mount module APM-6849SM performance is expected to be similar to connectorized module performance.

Phase Noise (dBc/Hz) vs. Offset Frequency; 4GHz Carrier Frequency, 6V/6V Bias, +15 dBm Input Power graph for APM-6849SM
Noise Figure (dB) vs. Frequency, 5V/5 Bias graph for APM-6849SM
Ic, Ib (mA) vs. VB (VC = 5V) graph for APM-6849SM
Ic (mA) vs. RF Input Power, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-6849SM
Gain, Output Power, and PAE vs. Input Power, 5V/5V, 5 GHz graph for APM-6849SM
Gain, Output Power, and PAE vs. Input Power, 5V/5V, 15 GHz graph for APM-6849SM

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

8

Time Domain Plots

Fast rise time is desirable for linear T3 mixer operation. ( 5GHz on the left and 10GHz on the right )

5 Ghz, +10dBm Pin, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-6849SM
10 Ghz, +10dBm Pin, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-6849SM

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

9

Application Circuit

Application Circuit for APM-6849SM

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Mechanical Data

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Evaluation Board - Outline Drawing

Outline Drawing

Rev: F | Copyright © 2019 - 2020, 2022 Marki Microwave LLC.

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