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NLTL-6796SM
GaAs MMIC Non-Linear Transmission Line
NLTL-6796SM is a MMIC non-linear transmission line (NLTL) based comb generator. This NLTL offers excellent phase noise performance over a 500MHz to 3.5 GHz input frequency range with output tones beyond 40 GHz. NLTL-6796SM is fabricated with GaAs Schottky diode-based varactors and packaged into a surface mount 6mm QFN.
| Parameter | Typ | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Input Power | 20 | dBm |
| Output Frequency Range | 0.5 to 50 | GHz |
| Input Frequency Range | 0.5 to 3.5 | GHz |
Summary only – refer to the Electrical Specifications, Absolute Maximum Ratings, and Recommended Operating Range tables for complete details.
| Part Number | Description | Package | Green Status | Product Lifecycle | Export Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLTL-6796SM | GaAs MMIC Non-Linear Transmission Line | QFN | RoHS REACH | Released | EAR99 |
| EVAL-NLTL-6796 | Evaluation Board, GaAs MMIC 0.5-3.5 GHz Non-Linear Transmission Line | EVAL | RoHS REACH | Released | EAR99 |
Input power levels refer to drive level going into the NLTL chain input in Application Circuit. Square wave plots are referenced to drive level entering the square wave driver amplifier, not the output power of the amplifiers.
Input power levels refer to drive level going into the NLTL chain input in Application Circuit. Square wave plots are referenced to drive level entering the square wave driver amplifier, not the output power of the amplifiers.
Input power levels refer to drive level going into the NLTL chain input in Application Circuit. Square wave plots are referenced to drive level entering the square wave driver amplifier, not the output power of the amplifiers.
Input power levels refer to drive level going into the NLTL chain input in Application Circuit. Square wave plots are referenced to drive level entering the square wave driver amplifier, not the output power of the amplifiers.
Input power levels refer to drive level going into the NLTL chain input in Application Circuit. Square wave plots are referenced to drive level entering the square wave driver amplifier, not the output power of the amplifiers.
Input power levels refer to drive level going into the NLTL chain input in Application Circuit. Square wave plots are referenced to drive level entering the square wave driver amplifier, not the output power of the amplifiers.
Input power levels refer to drive level going into the NLTL chain input in Application Circuit. Square wave plots are referenced to drive level entering the square wave driver amplifier, not the output power of the amplifiers.
Input power levels refer to drive level going into the NLTL chain input in Application Circuit. Square wave plots are referenced to drive level entering the square wave driver amplifier, not the output power of the amplifiers.
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The electrical specifications apply at TA=+25°C in a 50Ω system. Typical data shown is for the NLTL used in the forward direction with a +20 dBm 1GHz sine wave input and no bias resistor (open circuit) unless otherwise stated. Square Wave input generated using either the ADM1-0026PA or the APM-7098PA amplifier at +7V/-0.3V and +8V/+8V respectively. Min and Max limits apply only to our connectorized units and are guaranteed at TA=+25°C. All bare die are 100% DC tested and visually inspected.
| Parameter | Test Conditions | Minimum Frequency (GHz) | Maximum Frequency (GHz) | Min | Typ | Max | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Frequency Harmonic Output 1 | 1.5 GHz Input | - | - | - | 52.5 | - | GHz |
| Highest Frequency Harmonic Output 2 | 1 GHz Input | - | - | - | 47 | - | GHz |
| Highest Frequency Harmonic Output 3 | 2 GHz Input | - | - | - | 46 | - | GHz |
| Highest Frequency Harmonic Output 4 | 3.5 GHz Input | - | - | - | 28 | - | GHz |
| Highest Frequency Harmonic Output 5 | 500 MHz Input | - | - | - | 22.5 | - | GHz |
| Input Frequency Range | - | - | - | 0.5 | - | 3.5 | GHz |
| Input Power 6 | - | - | - | - | 20 | - | dBm |
| Output Frequency Range | - | - | - | 0.5 | - | 50 | GHz |
[1][2][3][4][5] The Highest Frequency Harmonic Output was determined as the highest frequency harmonic that was above a -60dBm threshold as seen on a spectrum analyzer.
[6] Input power to square wave driver amps is lower but high enough to saturate the amplifier. Power levels in square wave plots refer to input power to the amplifier, not the amplifier’s output power.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input Power | 13 | 20 | 28 | dBm |
| Ambient Temperature | -55 | 25 | 100 | °C |
The Absolute Maximum Ratings indicate limits beyond which damage may occur to the device. If these limits are exceeded, the device may be inoperable or have a reduced lifetime.
| Parameter | Maximum Rating | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Operating Temperature | 100 | °C |
| Maximum Storage Temperature | 125 | °C |
| Minimum Operating Temperature | -55 | °C |
| Minimum Storage Temperature | -65 | °C |
| Power Handling, at any Port | 33 | dBm |
| Parameter | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ESD | 250 to < 500 Volts | HBM Class 1A |
| Dimensions | - | 6 x 6 mm |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level | - | MSL 1 |
This is a passive NLTL that requires no external DC bias. Self-bias of the diodes is sufficient for operation. It is not required, but is recommended to provide a 50Ω termination to each port before applying RF power.
A bottom-up view of the NLTL-6796’s SM package outline drawing is shown below. The NLTL should only be used in the forward direction, with the input and output ports given in Port Functions.
| Port | Function | Description | DC Equivalent Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|
| GND | Ground | SM package ground path is provided through the ground paddle. |  |
| Pin 26 | Output | 2x Input Frequency output port. Pin 26 is diode connected and AC matched to 50Ω. |  |
| Pin 5 | Input | Input 1x Frequency Port. Pin 5 is diode connected and AC matched to 50Ω. | |
The NLTL-6796SM belongs to Marki Microwave’s NLTL family of multipliers and non-linear transmission lines. The NLTL product line consists of passive GaAs MMIC non-linear transmission lines designed and fabricated with GaAs Schottky diode-based varactors. NLTLs create an impulse train of harmonics of the fundamental input frequency. The NLTL is capable of generating outputs up to and beyond 40 GHz. The NLTL-6796SM is a 6 mm QFN and the EVAL-NLTL-6796 is a connectorized module with the QFN reflowed onto a PCB.
Port 1 supports up to 3.5GHz input signals. Port 2 outputs integer multiples of the input signal (i.e., x2, x3, x4, etc.) up to a maximum of ~50 GHz given a -60dBm threshold and +20dBm input power. Higher harmonics are generated but at a lower efficiency.
The operating conditions of the NLTL are extremely important to optimize performance. High power inputs will increase the output power observed; however, the conversion efficiency will decrease. This is increasingly true for higher input frequencies and at input powers above the recommended limit. Optimal conversion efficiency of the NLTL is achieved using a square wave input with a fast rise time. Doing so causes a degradation in the 2nd output harmonic but otherwise improves the conversion efficiency at all other harmonics. It is for this reason that the typical performance plots are shown driven with a sine wave input as well as with two amplifiers, the ADM1-0026PA, a square wave driver amp, and the APM-7098PA, a low phase noise amplifier. Typical Performance Plots: Harmonic Magnitude vs Bias Resistor shows the results of these driver amplifiers in time and frequency domain.
NLTL-6796SM requires no external DC bias. The self-bias of the diodes caused by the rectified RF input signal is sufficient for operation. For the best performance, optimization of the DC return path through a bias resistor is recommended for each specific application to optimize the harmonic output power distribution.
The phase noise of a non-linear transmission line is outstanding. If verification of performance is necessary, the application circuit used and input conditions are extremely important. NLTLs are AM sensitive. If there is excessive AM noise on the input of the NLTL, observing the output of the NLTL will show excessive PM/phase noise because of the high AM to PM conversion property of NLTLs.
DC Path to Ground — An RF choke followed by a bias resistor should be used to provide a DC path to ground on the input port of the NLTL SM package. The current through the resistor will create Johnson/white noise; a shunt capacitor (for example 1uF) is used to filter noise generated by the resistor. This forms the circuit which self-biases the NLTL. The DC return to ground removes DC rectified current created by high power RF signal injection. A conical coil inductor is recommended to push the self-resonance frequency of the inductor past the operating bandwidth of the NLTL. The recommended inductance value of the conical coil inductor is 50nH or higher. If using a connectorized application setup, a bias tee will provide a DC path to ground and the NLTL can be biased with an additional resistor on the bias tee. See Typical Performance Plots: 5th Harmonic Output Power vs Bias Resistor for output power vs bias resistor plots.
Blocking Capacitor — A DC blocking capacitor on the output of the NLTL-6796SM’s integrated circuit prevents unwanted DC current flow through to the output. If there is a DC signal on the input, place a DC block or bias tee on the input to avoid disrupting the self-biasing of the diodes.
Download : Outline 2D Drawing Outline 3D Drawing Outline 3D STP
Download : Footprint Drawing
| Revision Code | Revision Date | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| - | 2020-02-01 | Initial Release |
| A | 2022-10-01 | Recommended Input Power Updated |
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