Agilent Technologies Inc. has developed an e-pHEMT (enhancement-mode pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistor) MMIC low-noise amplifier (LNA) for applications in the 0.5 to 6 GHz frequency range, including WLANs, WiMAX point-to-multipoint systems and cordless phones. The MGA-665P8, from Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group, is optimized for applications operating in the 5 GHz unlicensed national information infrastructure (UNII) band, such as IEEE 802.11a WLANs. It also offers suitable performance for IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g WLANs operating in the 2.4 GHz license-free ISM band and WiMAX in the 3.5 GHz licensed international frequency range.

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The MGA-665P8 is supplied with its output matched to 50 Ohms and input partially matched. At 5.25 GHz, the amplifier features a 1.45 dB noise figure combined with 16 dB gain and 18.1 dBm output third-order intercept point (OIP3). At 2.4 GHz, the amplifier features 1.2 dB NF, 18.4 dB gain and 19 dBm OIP3 (all performance typical at 3 V, 20.5 mA bias). The device has an active power-down function: A 0 to 1 V logic low turns the device on; a 2 to 3 V logic high turns the device off. When turned off, the typical current consumption is only 180 microamperes to minimize power consumption when the WLAN or other system is in a stand-by condition. The MGA-665P8 is offered in the compact, industry-standard 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm x 0.75 mm, 8-pad JEDEC DRP-N leadless plastic chip carrier (PLCC) for reduced board space. The package's lead-free backside metalization provides excellent thermal dissipation as well as visual evidence of solder reflow. The Agilent MGA-665P8 is priced at $1.50 each in 6399- to 16,699-piece quantities.