Santa Clara, Calif. — California Eastern Laboratories has just announced the availability of NEC’s newest silicon germanium LNA IC, the UPC8211TK. Originally developed to serve as a first-stage, low-noise amplifier in GPS receivers, the higher frequencies enabled by NEC’s USH2 silicon germanium process make the UPC8211TK a suitable LNA for other products as well: cell phones, cordless phones, WLL and SRW applications to 2.4 GHz. The USH2 process also enables the UPC8211TK to deliver high gain, low noise, and good linearity. Key specifications include:

• Gain: 18.5 dB typical at 1.5 GHz
• Noise figure: 1.3 dB typical at 1.5 GHz
• Single supply voltage: 3 V
• Circuit current: 3.5 mA typical
• Input IP3: -12 dBm
• Operating temperature: -40 to +85°C

The IC is housed in NEC’s miniature, low-profile “leadless” TK package. Measuring 1.5 mm x 1.3 mm x 0.55 mm, it is suitable for engineers faced with the task of miniaturizing their designs. To help preserve battery life and lengthen talk time, the IC also features a built-in power save function that turns the LNA off when not in use. Priced at $0.45 in 10K quantities, the UPC8211TK is in stock and available now from CEL.