Device Overview

General Description

The APM-7516PSM is a broadband low phase noise driver amplifier designed to provide enough power to drive the LO port of an H or L-diode mixer with a range of input powers. This amplifier uses GaAs HBT technology for low phase noise and provides +18 to 23 dBm output power from 1.5 GHz to 20 GHz. This amplifier can be operated with a variety of bias conditions for both low and high-power applications. The APM-7516SM shows less variation in current supply under saturation than similar HBT amplifiers, has a lower thermal resistance, and is less sensitive to damage from high input powers. The APM-7516PSM is packaged in a compact 4 mm QFN with integrated blocking capacitors and power supply inductor for surface mount integration on circuit board-based systems.

Photo of APM-7516PSM

Features

  • More than +18 dBm output power up to 20GHz
  • +18 dBm input power rating
  • Positive-only biasing
  • High Linearity
  • Unconditionally stable

Applications

  • Mobile test and measurement equipment
  • Radar and satellite communications
  • 5G transceivers
  • Driver amplifier for H and L – diode mixers
  • Suitable as a T3 driver

Functional Block Diagram

Block Diagram

Part Ordering Options

Part NumberDescriptionPackageGreen StatusProduct LifecycleExport Classification
APM-7516PSM1.5-20 GHz Surface Mount Low Phase Noise Amplifier QFN

REACH

RoHS

ReleasedEAR99
EVB-APM-7516PSMEvaluation Board, Low Phase Noise 1.5-20 GHz AmplifierEVB

REACH

RoHS

ReleasedEAR99

Table Of Contents

Revision History

Revision CodeRevision DateComment
-2022-01-01Datasheet Initial Release
A2026-02-13MTTF Table Added.

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Port Configuration and Functions

Port Diagram

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

Diagram of the port configuration for APM-7516PSM

Port Functions

PortFunctionDescriptionDC Equivalent
Circuit
15RF Output Port This is the amplifier’s RF Output. It is RF matched to 50 Ω and is DC blocked. Must have less than 7:1 VSWR when operating.Equivalent circuit for the RF Output Port
20Current Mirror Bias Port Port 20 is the DC voltage bias pad for the current mirror that controls the collector current supplied to the amplifier. See performance plot at different bias condition.Equivalent circuit for the Current Mirror Bias Port
22VC Power Supply Port Pad VC is the amplifier’s DC voltage supply pad. See section performance plot at different bias conditions.Equivalent circuit for the VC Power Supply Port
5RF Input This is the RF input port of the device, and is RF matched to 50 Ω. This port is AC-coupled; no blocking capacitor is required.Equivalent circuit for the RF Input
GNDGround IC backside must be connected to a DC/RF ground with high thermal and electrical conductivity.Equivalent circuit for the Ground

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 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
Bias (Current Mirror) Voltage 7V
Maximum Operating Temperature 85°C
Maximum Storage Temperature 150°C
Max Junction Temperature for MTTF > 1E6 Hours 125°C
Max Power Dissipation for MTTF of 1E6 hours at 85˚C Baseplate Temperature 1200mW
Minimum Operating Temperature -40°C
Minimum Storage Temperature -65°C
Output Load VSWR 7-
Power Supply (Collector) Current (Ic) 240mA
Power Supply (Collector) Voltage (VC) 7V
RF Input Power 18dBm
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-4 x 4 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) 456V
Quiescent DC Current (Ic) -105-mA
DC Current with RF Input (Ic) --225mA
Positive DC Current Mirror Voltage (VB) -5-V
Input Power for Saturation 101214dBm

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Electrical Specifications

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

ParameterTest ConditionsMinimum
Frequency
(GHz)
Maximum
Frequency
(GHz)
MinTypMaxUnit
Input IP3 Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V Bias Voltage Vb = 5V -5 dBm Input power
1.5 20-21-dBm
Input Power for Saturation Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V Bias Voltage Vb = 5V
1.5 20-12-dBm
Input Return Loss Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V Bias Voltage Vb = 5V
1.5 20-16-dB
Noise Figure -15 20-6.5-dB
Noise Figure -1.5 5-9.7-dB
Noise Figure -5 15-5.4-dB
Output IP3 Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V Bias Voltage Vb = 5V -5 dBm Input power
1.5 20-33-dBm
Output Return Loss Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V Bias Voltage Vb = 5V
1.5 20-17-dB
Power Dissipated as a Linear Signal Amplifier 1Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V Bias Voltage Vb = 5V
1.5 20-525-mW
Power Dissipated as a Saturated LO Driver Amplifier 2Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V Bias Voltage Vb = 5V
1.5 20-650-mW
Reverse Isolation Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V Bias Voltage Vb = 5V
1.5 20-34-dB
Saturated Output Power Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V, Bias Voltage Vb = 5V, P5dB
1.5 20-22-dBm
Small Signal Gain Power Supply Voltage Vc = 5V Bias Voltage Vb = 5V
1.5 20-11-dB

[1][2] Power dissipated = DC input power + RF input power – RF output power. Linear signal amplifier operation is with quiescent current and low output power. Saturated LO Driver calculated with recommended input power for saturation.

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

5

APM-7516PSM Typical Performance Plots

APM-7516PSM measurements taken in EVAL-APM-7516PSM evaluation board without de-embedding.

Small Signal Gain (dB) vs. Frequency, Over Temperature, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Output Power (dBm) vs. Frequency, Over Temperature, +10dBm Input Power, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Input Return Loss (dB) vs. Frequency, Vc = 5V graph for APM-7516PSM
Output Return Loss (dB) vs. Frequency, VC = 5V graph for APM-7516PSM
OIP3 (dBm) vs. Frequency, over Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
IIP3 vs. frequency, Over Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Collector Current (mA) vs. RF Input Power, Over Frequency, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Noise Figure (dB) vs. Frequency, over Bias graph for APM-7516PSM

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

6

Reverse Isolation (dB) vs. Frequency, VC = 5V graph for APM-7516PSM
Collector Current (mA) vs. RF Input Power, Over Frequency, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Output Power (dBm), Gain (dB), and PAE (%) vs. Input Power, F = 5 GHz, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Output Power (dBm), Gain (dB), and PAE (%) vs. Input Power, F = 10 GHz, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Output Power (dBm), Gain (dB), and PAE (%) vs. Input Power, F = 15 GHz, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Output Power (dBm), Gain (dB), and PAE (%) vs. Input Power, F = 20 GHz, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Small Signal Gain (dB) vs. Frequency, Vc = 4V graph for APM-7516PSM
Small Signal Gain (dB) vs. Frequency, VC = 6V graph for APM-7516PSM

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

7

Residual Phase Noise (dBc/Hz) vs. Offset Frequency, +5V/+5V Bias, +13dBm Input Power, F = 4 GHz graph for APM-7516PSM
Output Compression Curves (dBm) vs. Frequency, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Output Compression Curves (dBm) vs. Frequency, 4V/4V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM
Harmonic Response (dBm) vs. Input Frequency, +10 dBm Input Power, 5V/5V Bias graph for APM-7516PSM

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

8

Application Circuit

Application Circuit for APM-7516PSM

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Mechanical Data

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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Evaluation Board - Outline Drawing

Outline Drawing

Rev: A | Copyright © 2022, 2026 Marki Microwave LLC.

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