AN130

Appl i cat i on Not e No.
130
The Si Ge BFP640 as a 2. 4 GHz Low Noi se
Ampl i f i er ( LNA)

Appl i cat i on Not e, Rev. 1. 2, November 2007
RF & Pr ot ect i on Devi ces
Edition 2007-11-07
Published by
Infineon Technologies AG
81726 Mnchen, Germany
Infineon Technologies AG 2009.
All Rights Reserved.
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Application Note No. 130
Application Note 3 Rev. 1.2, 2007-11-07

Revision History: 2007-11-07, Rev. 1.2
Previous Version: 2005-08-19, Rev. 1.1
Page Subjects (major changes since last revision)
All Small changes in figure descriptions

The SiGe BFP640 as a 2.4 GHz Low Noise Amplifier (LNA)
1 The SiGe BFP640 as a 2.4 GHz Low Noise Amplifier (LNA)
Overview
The new BFP640 SiGe Transistor is shown in a 2400 - 2483.5 MHz Low Noise Amplifier Application. The BFP640
is a newer sibling of the BFP620, offering higher gain and higher breakdown voltage than BFP620.Potential target
markets at 2.4 GHz include:
BlueTooth
HomeRF
802.11b
Cordless
Other 2.4 GHz ISM band applications
Features of the Low Noise Amplifier (LNA)
Low parts count: 11 passive external elements
Excellent Noise Figure: 1.1 dB
Good Gain: 15 dB
Low power consumption: 5.3 mA at 3.3 V
Outstanding Linearity: IIP
3
of +15.3 dBm
Unconditional Stability
Low Cost
Figure 1 SOT-343 Package
PCB Cross - Section Diagram
Figure 2 PCB - Cross Sectional Diagram
AN130_pic_SOT-343.vsd
1 2 3 4
E C E
SOT- 343 Package
AN130_PCB.vsd
BOTTOM LAYER
(BOARD HAS 3 METAL LAYERS, NTERNAL 1
AND NTERNAL 2 ARE MERGED TOGETHER)
.008 inch / 0.20 mm
.033 inch / 0.84 mm ?
TOP LAYER
NTERNAL 1
NTERNAL 2
LAYER FOR MECHANCAL RGDTY OF PCB, THICKNESS HERE NOT CRITICAL
AS LONG AS TOTAL PCB THICKNESS DOES NOT EXCEED 0.045 INCH
(SPECIFICATION FOR TOTAL PCB THICKNESS: 0.040 + 0.005 / - 0.005 INCH)


BFP640 differs from its older sibling, the BFP620, as follows
Key Points
BFP640 shows about 1 dB higher gain than BFP620 in a similar applications circuit. This is especially
advantageous at frequencies > 2 GHz.
Higher breakdown voltage of BFP640 is a nice feature:
- BFP640 may be used as a driver amplifier.
- BFP640 can provide potentially greater linearity if system supply voltage > 2.3 V (e.g. BFP640 can be safely
run at higher collector voltages than BFP620).
- Potential parts-count reduction in customer's circuits: in devices with 3 V supplies one no longer need worry
about "blowing" the transistor, as was the case with BFP620 => no special bias circuitry or voltage dropping
resistors are needed to run BFP640 straight off of 3 V supply rail.
Improved device reverse isolation (S
12
) of BFP640 gives better "stability" to device => increased stable gain
values. BFP640 is easier to stabilize as compared to BFP620 as a result of better reverse isolation value.
So far, experience has shown noise figure performance of BFP620 and BFP640 to be roughly equal.
Comments particular to this 2.4 GHz Application Circuit
Amplifier is unconditionally stable up to 6 GHz (e.g. K>1, B
1
>0 up to 6 GHz). Ample margin exists, with a
minimum K value of > 1.1
Simulated and measured results match reasonably well available S-parameter data is of good quality
Test Conditions: V
CC
= 3.3 V, I = 5.3 mA, V
CE
= 3.0 V, T = 25 C, network analyzer source power = -40 dBm
Total PCB Area of LNA: approximately 40 mm
Total Parts Count, including transistor: 12 (does not include DC or RF connectors)
Table 1 Differences between BFP640 and BFP620
Parameter BFP620 BFP640 Comments
BV
CEO
2.3 V 4.0 V Collector-Emitter breakdown voltage, with base
open-circuited
BV
CBO
8 V 13 V Collector-Base breakdown voltage, with emitter
open-circuited
BV
EBO
1.2 1.2 V Emitter-Base breakdown voltage, with collector
open-circuited
f
T
57 GHz 36 GHz Transition frequency: measured at 2.3 V, 30 mA
for BFP620, and 3 V, 30 mA for BFP640
I
Cmax
80 mA 50 mA Maximum collector current
G
ms

(1.8 GHz)
21 dB 24 dB Maximum Stable Gain |S
21
/S
12
|
Measured at 2 V, 20 mA for BFP620, and 3 V,
20 mA for BFP640
C
CB

(f = 1 MHz)
0.14 pF 0.09 pF Collector-Base Capacitance V
CB
= 2 V for
BFP620, 3 V for BFP640
S
12
@ 2 V, 5 mA,
1.8 GHz
0.1005
(-20 dB)
0.0682
(-23.3 dB)
Reverse Isolation

Bill of Material
Table 2 Bill of Material
Reference
Designator
Value Manufacturer Case Size Function
C1 8.2 pF Various 0402 Input DC block
C2 1 pF Various 0402 Output DC block, output match, influences
input match
C3 0.1 F Various 0402 Low frequency ground at base (input 3
rd

order intercept improved)
C4 8.2 pF Various 0402 RF bypass / RF block
C5 8.2 pF Various 0402 RF bypass / RF block / Influences stability
C6 0.1 F Various 0402 Bypass / block, some IP
3
improvement
L1 5.6 nH Murata LQG 10A low cost
inductor
0402 RF choke to DC bias on base, input
matching
L2 3.3 nH Murata LQG 10A low cost
inductor
0402 Output RF match, DC feed to collector
R1 10 Various 0402 Stability, output matching
R2 43 k Various 0402 DC bias for base
R3 68 Various 0402 Drop supply voltage by 0.3 V, provide DC
feedback for bias compensation (beta
variation, temperature, etc.)
Q1 - Infineon Technologies SOT343 BFP640 SiGe, f
T
= 36 GHz
J1, J2 - Johnson 142-0701-841 - RF input / output connectors
J3 - AMP 5 pin header MTA-
100 series 640456-5
(standard pin plating) or
641215-5 (gold plated
pins)
- DC connector
Pins 1, 5 = ground
Pin 3 = V
CC
Pins 2, 4 = no connection


Summary of LNA Data
T = 25 C
Table 3 Summary of LNA Data
Parameter Result Target Specification Comments
Frequency Range 2400 - 2483.5 MHz 2400 - 2483.5 MHz Various portions of this range
are usable on a worldwide
basis
DC Current 5.3 mA 5.3 mA max. Low current consumption
DC Voltage, V
CC
3.3 V 3.3 V
Collector-Emitter Voltage,
V
CE
3.0 V 3.0 V
Input P
1dB
-10.5 dBm
Output P
1dB
+3.4 dBm
Input 3
rd
Order Intercept +15.3 dBm @ 2441 MHz f
1
= 2440 MHz, f
2
= 2441 MHz,
-18 dBm each tone.
Excellent linearity
performance.
Gain 15.4 dB @ 2400 MHz
15.2 dB @ 2441 MHz
14.9 dB @ 2483.5 MHz
15 dB min.
Noise Figure 1.13 dB @ 2400 MHz
1.17 dB @ 2440 MHz
1.15 dB @ 2480 MHz
1.2 dB max. Results much better than that
offered by low-cost integrated
solutions
Input Return Loss 12.4 dB @ 2400 MHz
13.4 dB @ 2441 MHz
14.4 dB @ 2483.5 MHz
10 dB min.
Output Return Loss 16.1 dB @ 2400 MHz
13.9 dB @ 2441 MHz
12.1 dB @ 2483.5 MHz
10 dB min.
Reverse Isolation 21.1 dB @ 2400 MHz
20.7 dB @ 2441 MHz
20.6 dB @ 2483.5 MHz

Schematic Diagram
Figure 3 Schematic Diagram
AN130_Schematic.vsd
Q1
BFP640 SiGe
Transistor
J1
RF NPUT
C1
8.2pF
L1
5.6 nH
R2
68K
V
cc
= 3.3 V
I = 5.3 mA
J3
DC Connector
C4
8.2pF
C3
0.1uF
L2
3.3nH
C2
1pF
J2
RF OUTPUT
R1
10 ohms
C5
8.2pF
C6
0.1uF
R3
47 ohms
PC Board Material = Standard FR4
PCB = BFP620 Version 3.0
"Sawed-Off" Input and Output
nductors are all Murata LQG10A
nductive Emitter Degeneration (Microstrip) for P
3
improvement, RF matching.
W = 5.9 mil / 0.15 mm, L = 55 mil / 1.4 mm, Substrate height = 8 mil / 0.2 mm


Noise Figure, Plot, Center of Plot (x-axis) is 2440 MHz.
Tested at Room Temperature (T = 25 C)
Figure 4 Noise Figure
AN130_plot_nf.vsd
Rohde and Schwarz FSEK3 V2.00
BFP640 Noise Figure
15 Nov 2002
EUT Name: Single Stage LNA mit BFP640
Manufacturer: nfineon
Operating Conditions: V=3.3V,=5.3mA, T=25 C
Operator Name: Gerard Wevers
Test Specification: 2.4 GHz LNA
Comment: LWR # SD 00019 LNA P
15 Nov 2002
Analyzer
RF Att: 0.00 dB
Ref Lvl: -45.00 dBm
RBW : 1 MHz
VBW : 100 Hz
Range: 30.00 dB
Ref Lvl auto: ON
Measurement
2nd stage corr: ON Mode: Direct ENR: HP346B
0.80
0.90
1.00
1.10
1.20
1.30
1.40
1.50
1.60
1.70
1.80
2390 MHz 2490 MHz 10 MHz / DV
Noise Figure /dB

Noise Figure, Tabular Data
From Rohde & Schwarz FSEK3 + FSEB30
System Preamplifier = MITEQ SMC-2
Tested at Room Temperature (T = 25 C)
Table 4 Noise Figure
Frequency Noise Figure
2390 MHz 1.12 dB
2400 MHz 1.13 dB
2410 MHz 1.15 dB
2420 MHz 1.16 dB
2430 MHz 1.15 dB
2440 MHz 1.17 dB
2450 MHz 1.18 dB
2460 MHz 1.16 dB
2470 MHz 1.17 dB
2480 MHz 1.15 dB
2490 MHz 1.15 dB


Stability Factors K and B
1
For unconditional stability, K > 1 AND B
1
> 0. Note minimum K value is 1.09 at 2.313 GHz.
(For plot, actual measured LNA s-parameters are imported into the Eagleware GENESYS
design environment;
the software then calculates and plots K & B
1
.)
Figure 5 Plot of K(f)
AN130_plot_stability_K_B1.vsd

LNA Gain Compression at 2441 MHz
!Power Sweep with Network Analyzer (8753D) in CW Mode. Left edge of plot is input power = -25 dBm, right edge
is -5 dBm
Input P
1dB
-10.3 dBm
Output P
1dB
+3.9 dBm
Figure 6 Plot of Gain Compression at 2441 MHz
CH1 S
21
log MAG 1 dB/ REF 15 dB
START -25.0 dBm STOP -5.0 dBm CW 2 440.000 000 MHz
Cor
Smo
Del
PRm
15 Nov 2002 23:56:19
1
2
2_: 14.211 dB
-10.3 dBm
1_: 15.213 dB
-24.9 dBm
AN130_plot_gain_comp.vsd


Scanned Image of PC Board
Figure 7 Image of PC Board

Scanned Image of PC Board, Close-In Shot.
Figure 8 Image of PC Board, Close-In Shot


Input Return Loss, Log Mag
5 MHz to 6 GHz
Figure 9 Plot of Input Return Loss
CH1 S
11
START 5.000 000 MHz STOP 6 000.000 000 MHz
Cor
Del
PRm
15 Nov 2002 23:14:08
1
2
3
2_:-13.354 dB
2 441.000 000 MHz
1_:-12.415 dB
2.4 GHz
3_:-14.428 dB
2.483 GHz
AN130_plot_input_return_loss.vsd

Input Return Loss, Smith Chart
Reference Plane = Input SMA Connector on PC Board
5 MHz to 6 GHz
Figure 10 Smith Chart of Input Return Loss
CH1 S
11
1 U FS
Cor
Del
PRm
15 Nov 2002 23:14:32
1
2
3
2_: 34.627 10.195 664.74 pH
2 441.000 000 MHz
1_: 32.316
9.0332
2.4 GHz
3_: 37.33
10.986
2.483 GHz
AN130_smith_input_return_loss.vsd


Forward Gain
5 MHz to 6 GHz
Figure 11 Plot of Forward Gain
CH1 S
21
*
Cor
Del
PRm
15 Nov 2002 23:14:39
1
2
3
2_: 15.165 dB
2 441.000 000 MHz
1_: 15.379 dB
2.4 GHz
3_: 14.925 dB
2.483 GHz
AN130_plot_fw_gain.vsd

Reverse Isolation
5 MHz to 6 GHz
Figure 12 Plot of Reverse Isolation
CH1 S
12
*
Cor
Del
PRm
15 Nov 2002 23:14:47
1
2
3
2_:-20.495 dB
2 441.000 000 MHz
1_:-20.549 dB
2.4 GHz
3_:-20.492 dB
2.483 GHz
AN130_plot_reverse_isolation.vsd


Output Return Loss, Log Mag
5 MHz to 6 GHz
Figure 13 Plot of Output Return Loss
CH1 S
22
Cor
Del
PRm
15 Nov 2002 23:15:00
1
2
3
2_:-13.936 dB
2 441.000 000 MHz
1_:-16.148 dB
2.4 GHz
3_:-12.143 dB
2.483 GHz
AN130_plot_output_return_loss.vsd

Output Return Loss, Smith Chart
Reference Plane = Output SMA Connector on PC Board
5 MHz to 6 GHz
Figure 14 Smith Chart of Output Return Loss
CH1 S
22
1 U FS
Cor
Del
PRm
15 Nov 2002 23:15:10
1
2
3
2_: 50.982 -20.791 3.136 pF
2 441.000 000 MHz
1_: 53.164
-15.93
2.4 GHz
3_: 48.084
-24.99
2.483 GHz
AN130_smith_output_return_loss.vsd


Two-Tone 3
rd
Order Intercept Test
Input Stimulus to LNA for Two-Tone 3
rd
Order Intercept Test.
f
1
= 2440 MHz, f
2
= 2441 MHz, -18 dBm each tone.
Tone power was measured with a power meter.
Figure 15 Tow-Tone Test, Input Stimulus @ 2440 MHz
AN130_plot_two_tone_input.vsd

Two-Tone 3
rd
Order Intercept Test
Output Response of LNA to Two-Tone 3
rd
Order Intercept Test.
f
1
= 2440 MHz, f
2
= 2441 MHz, -18 dBm each tone.
Input IP
3
= -20 + (66.5 / 2) = +15.3 dBm
Figure 16 Tow-Tone Test, LNA Response @ 2440 MHz
AN130_plot_two_tone_response.vsd

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