Application Note No. 050
Discrete & RF Semiconductors
M. Amni
S. Lau
A Power-Amplifier module at 1.9 GHz using
BFP450 and BFP490
This application note provides general information, print layout and list of used
components, circuit layout and measured data of a power amplifier module at
1.9GHz for 3V-systems using Siemens SIEGET BFP450 and BFP490. The circuit
offers a 1-dB compression point of 26dBm for a required input power of 7.5
dBm.
Data at 1.9 GHz, 3V pulsed at 10% duty cycle of period 33.3ms and
Input
power=7.5dBm:
Output power=26dBm / PAE=34.8% / Gain=18.5dB / Current=380mA
D1=BAV99
+3V
R5=27 Ohm
C11=10nF
R1=1.8k
C2=10nF
R2=47 Ohm
C5=10nF
C3=82pF
C8=100pF
R4=10 Ohm
TrL11
TrL5
TrL2
TrL4
TrL1
TrL3
C9=2.7pF
C1=5,6pF
Tr1=BFP450
C4=2.7pF
C10=1pF
C6=8.2pF
TrL6
TrL7
TrL9
TrL8
Tr2=BFP490
TrL10
TrL12
C7=10nF
R3=33 Ohm
R6=27 Ohm
C12=100pF
TrL13
C16=5.6pF
TrL14
TrL15
RFout
C15=1pF
C13=3.9pF C14=2.7pF
RFin
This power amplifier module operated at 1.9 GHz was realized by using microstrip lines as
RFC and matching components. It offers a very good 1dB compression point and sufficient
power for many wireless communication systems, e.g. DECT. Further improvement is
possible. Some hints are provided as follows:
The layout size can be reduced by using chip-coils instead of the microstrip lines like
TrL2 and TrL9.
♦
♦
A better stabilization behaviour versus temperature and a reduction of DC current gain
distribution problems can be obtained if the resistive biasing circuit of the BFP450
transistor is replaced with Siemens active bias controller BCR400(W). For further
information, please refer to the application note AN014. However, Siemens’ BAV99 of
Semiconductor Group
1
Edition A01
Application Note No. 050
Discrete & RF Semiconductors
dual diodes and those biasing resistors are sufficient in most applications for stabilization
purposes.
♦
♦
♦
Resistor R4 is for getting higher circuit-stability at low frequencies.
The figures measured include losses of SMA-connectors and microstriplines .
Making the PCB by proficient PCB manufacturer gets good plated-through holes and
accurate microstripline dimensions.
More output power and higher PAE is obtainable by modifying the output matching circuit.
♦
Part List:
Component
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
C8
C9
C10
C11
C12
C13
C14
C15
C16
Tr1
Tr2
D1
TrL1
TrL2
TrL3
TrL4
TrL5
TrL6
TrL7
TrL8
TrL9
TrL10
TrL11
TrL12
TrL13
TrL14
TrL15
Substrate
Value
1.8
47
33
10
27
27
5.6
10
82
2.7
10
10
10
100
2.7
1
10
100
3.9
2.7
1
5.6
Unit
kΩ
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
pF
nF
pF
pF
nF
nF
nF
pF
pF
pF
nF
pF
pF
pF
pF
pF
Size
0603
0603
0603
0603
0603
0603
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
0603/ 0805
SOT343
SCT595
SOT23
w=1mm
w=0.2mm
w=1mm
w=1mm
w=0.2mm
w=1mm
w=1 mm
w=1 mm
w=0.2mm
w=1 mm
w=0.2mm
w=1 mm
w=1mm
w=1 mm
w=1 mm
h=0.5mm
Comment
bias
bias
bias
to improve af-stability
bias
bias
input-match
rf-short
rf-short
input-match
rf-short
input-match
rf-short
rf-short
input-match
input-match
rf-short
rf-short
output-match
output-match
output-match
output-match
SIEGET BFP450, driver stage
SIEGET BFP490, output stage
BAV99, temperature compensation
input-match
quarter-wave transformer
input-match
interstage-match
interstage-match
interstage-match
interstage-match
interstage-match
quarter-wave transformer
interstage-match
output-match
output-match
output-match
output-match
output-match
Fr4,
ε
r
=4.5
Semiconductor Group
2
Edition A01
Application Note No. 050
Discrete & RF Semiconductors
Input Power Sweep:
Pout and Gain vs Pin
(measured at frequency=1.9 GHz, Vcc=3V pulsed at period=3.33ms & duty cycle=10%)
28
1dB
26
24
22
20
18
16
14
12
10
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Pin [dBm]
Pout [dBm]
Gain [dB]
P-1dB at
(7.8, 26.1)
PAE and Current vs Pin
(measured at frequency=1.9 GHz, Vcc=3V pulsed at period=3.33ms & duty cycle=10%)
450
PAE
425
400
Current [mA]
375
350
45
40
35
30
25
20
PAE [%]
325
300
275
250
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Pin [dBm]
Current
15
10
Current [mA]
PAE [%]
5
0
Semiconductor Group
5
Edition A01