Date: 20/06/2012

Multi-stage variable gain LNAs from NXP for wireless base stations

NXP Semiconductors N.V. has introduced the BGU706x series of multi-stage base station Low-Noise Amplifiers (LNA) with variable gain featuring noise figure of 0.9 dB for a receive chain in silicon. The LNA integrates a low-noise LNA with a bypass function followed by an analog-controlled variable gain amplifier (VGA). NXP claims these BGU706x amplifiers deliver high linearity, while saving up to 80 percent in component count (reduces 360 to 40 components in a typical implementation with a 6-channel receiver serving 3 sectors and 2Rx diversity).

The BGU706x base-station LNAs has a RF input overdrive of 10-15 dBm and provides ruggedness. They make use of NXP’s silicon germanium carbon (SiGe:C) BiCMOS process technology for better performance in high-frequency applications.

“Wireless infrastructure today faces a challenge as mobile data communications rapidly overtake voice communications. With its very low noise figure, our new multi-stage LNAs enable larger cell coverage, helping operators realize significant CAPEX and OPEX savings by reducing the total number of base stations required,” said Kees Schetters, director of marketing, wireless infrastructure, NXP Semiconductors. “By simplifying design-in, the LNAs also enable engineers to focus more on pushing the performance limits of their applications to achieve a significant competitive edge.”

Frequency range of integrated multi-stage LNAs with variable gain:
1. BGU7060: 700MHz – 800MHz
2. BGU7061: 800MHz – 950MHz
3. BGU7062:1710MHz – 1785MHz
4. BGU7063:1920MHz – 1980MHz

The BGU706x LNAs enables larger cell coverage. Their ruggedness supports overall system stability and results in strong performance when the system part of the PA power is leaked into the LNA which is a potential risk in time-duplexing systems. They have analog gain control of 35 dB and high linearity input IP3 (0.9 dBm at max gain) and are suitable for small cell sizes with demanding blocking requirements.

The LNAs avoid jeopardizing NF and reliability, enables longer lifetimes due to less heat dissipation. The BGU706x devices complement NXP’s existing BGU705x family.

The BGU705x series LNAs is available immediately. BGU7060, BGU7061, BUG7062 to be available in July 2012.