Guerrilla RF launches broadband, high-gain, linear driver/low-noise amplifier

Guerrilla RF Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA, a provider of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) to wireless original equipment manufacturers, has added to its range of broadband, low-noise linear drivers by launching the GRF4014.

The new amplifier is targeted at small cells, cellular boosters and other broadband, high-performance applications offering broadband frequency coverage with a minimal number of external components. Offered in an ultra-small 1.5mm x 1.5mm DFN-6 package, it shares a common pin-out with numerous other Guerrilla RF devices including the GRF400X and GRF201X device families.

The GRF4014 can be operated over a drain supply (Vdd) range of 3.0-8.0V, and the quiescent supply current (Iddq) can be controlled independently from Vdd, allowing device efficiency to be optimized for a given application requirement. The device can cover 1700-3800MHz with a single set of external components with gain of 17.0dB, OP1dB of 24.8dBm, and noise figure (NF) of 0.8dB at 2500MHz at 5.0V and 65mA. Biased at 8.0V and 100mA, the OP1dB is > 28dBm with NF and gain essentially unchanged from their 5.0V values.

The new amplifier “addresses an industry need for a cost-effective, broadband driver delivering outstanding RF performance with low power consumption over a wide frequency range,” says Alan Ake, VP of applications & technical marketing. “The device’s flexible biasing capability allows for high levels of reuse with optimal efficiency over a wide range of linearity requirements. Simple matching, along with the 1.5mm DFN-6 package, results in a compact application footprint.”

According to Research and Markets, the overall wireless network infrastructure market will rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 5% to over $104bn by the end of 2020.

GRF4014 samples and evaluation boards are available now. Pricing is $1.05 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Production is scheduled for third-quarter 2017.