Avago - GPS Low Noise Amplifiers with Integrated Pre- and Post-High Rejection FBAR Filters

Avago's highly integrated ALM-1812 is designed for the 1.575 GHz frequency band and is housed in a miniature 4.5 by 2.2 by 1.0 mm MCOB package, reducing printed circuit board (PCB) space by more than 50 percent when compared to discreet-only solutions. The integration of FBAR filtering enables the ALM-1812 to reach more than 90 dBc of Cell/PCS-band rejection. Additionally, this GPS LNA effectively leverages Avago's 0.25 um GaAs enhancement-mode pHEMT process to deliver a 1.66 dB noise figure, 18.5 dB gain, and +2 dBm input third order intercept point (IIP3) at typical operating conditions of 2.7V and 6 mA.

Simultaneous GPS (S-GPS), and other location-based GPS services, require a high level of receiver sensitivity. Avago's ALM-1812 delivers a very low noise figure and high linearity which helps to significantly improve the sensitivity of GPS applications. Additionally, the integrated FBAR filter offers exceptional rejection at Cell/PCS-band frequencies and WiFi/Bluetooth, which makes it an ideal device to help improve the performance of GPS receivers for S-GPS operation in handsets. In addition, the ALM-1812 has a built-in shunt inductor at the RF input pin to enhance ESD production. By integrating a GPS LNA with pre- and post high-rejection film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) filters, the high-performance ALM-1812 simplifies and shortens the RF design process, reduces component count and provides excellent RF performance levels that are critical in the use of GPS applications.