Product category:
Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: Avago Technologies | Subject: ALM-1106
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 17 October 2005
Low-noise amplifier boosts GPS
performance
The industry's lowest noise figure 0.9 to 3.5GHz MMIC low-noise amplifier module with integrated shutdown capability enhances the performance of GPS handsets.
Agilent Technologies has released the industry's lowest noise figure 0.9 to 3.5GHz MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) LNA (low-noise amplifier) module, with integrated shutdown capability that enhances the performance of GPS handsets The Agilent ALM-1106's combination of low noise figure to improve sensitivity, miniature size, low-voltage operation, and battery-saving features makes the amplifier module an ideal choice for GPS receivers incorporated in mobile phone handsets
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 2 Mar 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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"The ALM-1106 will help our customers reduce the PCB size and associated material costs for the cellular handset GPS function", said Ho King Pieng, Worldwide Marketing Manager for the Wireless Semiconductor Division in Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group.
"It offers better performance while being extremely cost-competitive with other GPS and ISM-band LNAs on the market".
The high-performance GPS LNA presents an attractive solution for cellular handset manufacturers as they start offering location-based services.
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One of the approaches to implementing the US FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Wireless Enhanced 911 (E911) mandate, which will require service providers to supply location information of a 911 caller, requires enhanced GPS capability in the phone itself.
The GPS sensitivity required by some service providers can be met only with a high-performance GPS LNA and not by the GPS chipsets available today.
The ALM-1106 operates from as low as 1V, is equipped with a built-in shutdown function to minimise standby current, and is supplied in a leadless, small-footprint (2 x 2mm), low-profile (1.1mm maximum) MCOB (moulded chip on board) package.
The MMIC LNA module is also ideal for IEEE802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi receivers, and for receivers for 2 and 3.5GHz IEEE 802.16 WiMAX (wireless microwave access)/ BWA (broadband wireless access).
Among the performance features of the ALM-1106 LNA module are very low 0.85dB noise figure; high 14.8dB gain; 0dBm output power (1dB gain compression); and wide dynamic range, with an input third-order intercept point of +5dBm (all typical).
The module operates over a 1.0 to 3.3V range, with an operating current (VDD) as low as 3.5mA at 1V, and a total shutdown current of approximately 120uA total (less than 5uA shutdown current with an additional 120uA driving the shutdown pin).
The LNA uses Agilent's proprietary GaAs enhancement-mode pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (E-pHEMT) process to achieve high gain operation with very low noise figures and high linearity.
Its CMOS-compatible shutdown pin can also provide variable bias to the amplifier.
The ALM-1106 MMIC LNA module is available packaged in bulk and in tape-and-reel on 7 and 13in reels.
Samples, demo boards and production quantities are available now through Agilent's direct sales channel and worldwide distribution partners. Request a free brochure from Avago Technologies ...
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