Engineering Commons^™

Variable Attenuator Blends Dynamic Range, Linearity, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

A voltage variable attenuators (VVA) with compact dimensions and high linearity can be realized by connecting PIN diodes in the form of a π network. However this VVA's maximum frequency is limited to ~1 GHz because of signal leakage through the series diodes' parasitic capacitances. The ceiling frequency can significantly raised by resonating the parasitic capacitance with a parallel inductor. This technique has been previously demonstrated on a discrete design. To reduce component count and size, this work extends the technique to a standalone, highly-integrated module. This paper reports the performances achieved at 3.5 GHz.

The prototype's attenuation is adjustable …

Limiters Protect Adcs Without Adding Harmonics, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

High-speed Analogue to Digital Converters (ADC) are used for sampling at either the intermediate frequency (IF) or the radio frequency of wireless receivers. When the transmitter is nearby, the sampled signal can exceed the ADC’s maximum input level. So, amplitude limiting is necessary to prevent ADC damage or degradation. While automatic gain control is effective for controlling IF amplitude excursion in traditional single-carrier systems, it is not desirable in modern multi-carrier applications. One solution is to cap the IF amplitude excursion with a limiter. Unfortunately, a new problem is created – the strong non-linearity that is required of a good …

Lna Integrates Fast Shutdown Function, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

To minimize dead time in time domain duplex (TDD) transceiver, reception should ideally commence as soon as transmission ends. However, the low noise amplifier (LNA), which is typically shutdown during transmission to prevent device damage and receiver overload, can exhibit a turn-on delay. In older implementations, the shutdown function is external to the LNA device. So, one way to reduce part count and to miniaturize this class of LNA is to integrate the LNA and shutdown function in a microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC). The integration also allows the shutdown circuit to be connected to the LNA at an optimum …

Low Loss Configuration For Integrated Pin-Schottky Limiters, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Compared to the PIN diode limiter, the Schottky-PIN limiter improves receiver protection, but has a higher insertion loss. Low cost, plastic packaged diodes can further worsen the loss. Diode stacking, mesa diode construction, and isolating the Schottky diode with a high-impedance quarter wave line or a directional coupler can reduce loss, but detrimentally raises the limiting threshold and/or adds bulk or cost. The PIN-Schottky limiter’s insertion loss can be improved by integrating the diodes’ parasitic capacitances into a low pass ladder network, but this solution requires the PIN diode to have two anode connections. Recently, the PIN-Schottky limiter was integrated …

Compact Lna Drives 2.5-Ghz Base Stations, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Pre-Amplifiers For A 15-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imager, Chin-Leong Lim, Peter Serano, Jerome L. Ackerman

Chin-Leong Lim

High-field magnetic resonance imagers (MRI) give better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and image contrast. However clinical MRIs are currently limited to 3 Tesla (T) magnetic field strength. To create an uncommon 15 T scanner for research use, we evaluated several low-cost, intended for wireless communication, GaAs enhancement-mode pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors (ePHEMT) in the critical preamplifier slot. This paper reports the experimental results that were obtained at both module and system levels. When evaluated in our prototype 15 T scanner front-end’s preamplifier slot, the candidate devices’ sub 1dB noise figures enabled image SNR ~ 110 in a water phantom (test …

Limiting And Transient Performances Of A Low Loss Pin-Schottky Limiter, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

The main cause of loss in the PIN-Schottky limiter is the diodes’ parasitic capacitances. Techniques to counter the parasitic capacitances include using bare chip, air cavity packaging, diode stacking, mesa construction, isolating the Schottky diode from the signal path and connecting the diodes to a low impedance node. But the aforementioned techniques either sacrifice cost, manufacturability, size, performances or thermal ruggedness. To reduce loss in the PIN-Schottky limiter, we re-configured its parasitics into a low pass ladder network. This paper reports on the new configuration’s changed large signal and transient performances. We observed improved isolation at 0.9 and 2.4 GHz, …

Balanced Uhf Lna Simplifies Cell Towers, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Cellular basestations' low noise amplifiers (LNA) must have input impedances that are closely matched to the antennas. Unfortunately, the amplifier devices cannot be conjugate matched without sacrificing their noise performances. Current solutions such as the isolator and the balanced LNA can satisfactorily solve the matching problem but at the expense of increased cost, weight and size. On the other hand, the confined space atop cellular towers makes the current solutions unattractive. To shrink the balanced LNA for cellular infrastructure service, we pair a highly integrated dual-amplifier MMIC with miniature multilayer couplers. This MMIC also achieves the distinction of being the …

Balanced Amplifier Aims For Low Noise, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Cellular basestations' low noise amplifiers (LNA) must have input impedances that are closely matched to the antennas. Unfortunately, the amplifier devices cannot be conjugate matched without sacrificing their noise performances. Current solutions such as the isolator and the balanced LNA can satisfactorily solve the matching problem but at the expense of increased cost, weight and size. On the other hand, the confined space atop cellular towers makes the current solutions unattractive. To shrink the balanced LNA for cellular infrastructure service, we pair a highly integrated dual-amplifier MMIC with miniature multilayer couplers. This MMIC also has the distinction of being the …

Low Mismatch Uhf Lna For Cellular Infrastructure, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Cellular basestations' low noise amplifiers (LNA) must have input impedances that are closely matched to the antennas. Unfortunately, the amplifier devices cannot be conjugate matched without sacrificing their noise performances. Current solutions such as the isolator and the balanced LNA can satisfactorily solve the matching problem but at the expense of increased cost, weight and size. On the other hand, the confined space atop cellular towers makes the current solutions unattractive. To shrink the balanced LNA for cellular infrastructure service, we pair a highly integrated dual-amplifier MMIC with miniature multilayer couplers. This MMIC also achieves the distinction of being the …

Recovery Time Of The Schottky-Pin Limiter, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

The Schottky-PIN limiter has a ~8dB lower limiting threshold than the self-biased PIN limiter. Following the cessation of overdrive, the limiter requires some time to return to a low-loss state. This transitory state, which is known as the recovery time or blind/dead time, disrupts communication and causes information loss. Unlike the self-biased PIN limiter, there is a dearth of information pertaining to the recovery time of the PIN-Schottky limiter. This work characterizes the most popular form of the PIN-Schottky limiter and also proposes a simple modification to speed up its recovery time. We measured recovery times of >2000uS and 130uS …

Reduce Losses In Rf Schottky-Pin Limiter Circuits, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Limiters can protect wireless receivers from physical damage and information loss. The Schottky-PIN limiter is especially protective because its limiting threshold is ~10dB lower than that of the self-biased PIN limiter. Unfortunately, the limiter diodes have parasitic capacitances that create insertion loss. Moreover, the extra diode in the Schottky-PIN limiter increases its loss over that of the PIN diode-only limiter. Techniques to minimize the parasitic capacitances include using bare chip, air cavity packaging, diode stacking, mesa construction, isolating the Schottky diode from the signal path and connecting the diodes to a low impedance node. But the aforementioned techniques either sacrifice …

Wideband Voltage Variable Attenuator With Fewer Components, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

RF/microwave amplifying devices have unit-to-unit gain variability. So, in some critical applications such as the low noise amplifier (LNA) in cellular basestations, the gain has to be adjusted in production using a voltage-variable attenuators (VVA). Constant impedance VVAs such as the PI and the bridged-TEE topologies require between 14 to 18 components, including 2 to 4 active devices, but their large dynamic (attenuation) range is wasted in this amplifier gain adjustment application. To create a more economical and smaller VVA for amplifier gain adjustment, we investigated a new circuit configuration comprising one active and four passive components. This paper describes …

Vva Extends Bw And Dynamic Range, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Voltage-variable attenuators (VVAs) enable gain adjustment in a wide range of applications, including in cable-television (CATV), satellite-television (SATV) systems, and even test equipment and measurement systems. The PI VVA configuration using PIN diodes is ubiquitous in CATV and SATV systems owing to its low part count, small size, constant impedance, high linearity, and multi-decade bandwidth. Presently, this class of VVAs have been under severe miniaturization pressure in order to shrink end-product size. To create the industry's smallest CATV/SATV-suitable VVA, we integrated all necessary components into a multi-chip-on-board (MCOB) package measuring 3.8 x 3.8 x 1.0 mm (14 mm square footprint). …

Lna Lowers Noise, Raises Oip3 At 3.5 Ghz, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

A 3.5 GHz LNA with good noise figure, gain and linearity performances has been designed around a low-cost, QFN2x2-packaged monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC). Incorporation of bias regulator, ESD protection and stability network at chip-level reduces the external component count to 12. The proprietary 0.25 um EPHEMT process achieves +15-dB gain in single stage and less than 1 dB noise figure at 3.5 GHz.

Automating The Screening Of Microphonic Defects In Automotive Radio Receivers, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Microphonics are unwanted electro-acoustic effects in electronic equipment caused by mechanical vibration. Vehicular radio receivers are particularly susceptible due to their traveling over uneven roads, e.g. potholes and bumps. As microphonics influence customers’ perception of product quality, manufacturers actively seek to sieve out receivers exhibiting the worst manifestation of this defect. The IEC 315-4 standard for FM broadcast receivers mandates screening for "unwanted acoustic feedback" by tapping on the receiver housing and then listening for the tell-tale ringing noises at the audio output, i.e. speakers or headphone. However, this subjective method requires trained workers and even then, the repeatability can …

Setting New Noise Performance Benchmarks Using Wideband Low-Noise High-Linearity Lnas, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Objective: to design a 900 MHz Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) using a MMIC fabricated on a new ultra low noise GaAs ePHEMT process. To demonstrate a new noise performance bench mark (F = 0.3 dB at IRL ≤ - 15 dB) for the plastic-packaged device class.

Material: The LNA consists of a Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit (MMIC) and 9 passive components mounted on a 21.5x18 mm2 Rogers RO4350 micro-strip PCB. The MMIC, which comprises a common-source amplifier and temperature-tracking active bias, is fabricated on a new GaAs ePHEMT process optimized for noise. As loss in the input matching network is proportional …

Rf Shields That Can Be Integrated With Ic Test Handlers, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

This paper describes several radio frequency interference shields that have been developed for integration with high-speed bulk-input turret-test IC handlers. The shields were developed to mitigate interference to noise figure measurements of Low Noise Amplifier components. Two categories of shielded enclosures were evaluated for shielding effectiveness and ease of incorporation into the existing machines and manufacturing processes. The first category enclosed the handler's working area in its entirety, while the second one enclosed the testboard only. Variation in the testboard shield design was required to suit different collet trajectories between handler models. The shielding effectiveness (SE) was measured according to …

Design And Modeling Of A 40w Microwave Switch In Qfn 2x2 Package, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Lna Based On A Low Cost (~Usd1.30) Commercial Gaas Phemt Mmic Offers Wideband (0.4~1.4 Ghz) And Room-Temperature Low Noise (~0.3 Db) Performances That Satisfy The Ska Low Cost And No-Cooling Requirement, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Introduction: New generations of radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array consist of millions of receivers scattered over a continent. The array’s quantity and geographic considerations ruled out the traditional radio astronomy LNA implementation; i.e. costly InP devices cooled by high-maintenance closed-cycle helium (He) refrigerators. Several LNA designs have been proposed to address the cost and room-temperature operation constraints but none appear a clear winner. Peltier and package-scale cooling have also been proposed as a lower cost/maintenance alternative to He cooling but when multiplied by the quantity required can still carve a significant chunk of the budget. Additionally, cooling …

Wideband Limiter Fits Sot-323 Pack, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Limiters protect wireless receiver front-ends from damage due to signal overload. The Schottky-PIN limiter is more protective than the self-biased PIN limiter because the former's limiting threshold is ~10 dB lower. Present implementation of the Schottky-PIN limiter use separate PIN and Schottky diodes. Additionally, some prior knowledge is necessary to select the correct PIN and Schottky diodes for limiter service. To miniaturize the limiter and to simplify the diode selection process, we combined a pair of limiter-optimized PIN and Schottky diodes into a compact and low-cost SOT-323 package. This paper describes the design, fabrication and experimental validation of the industry's …

Pin Switch Protects Lna From Overloads, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

The objective of this paper is to describe how a Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit (MMIC) can be paired with an external PIN diode bypass switch in the implementation of a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) with overload protection feature for mobile TV receiver applications. In the preliminary phase of the design, competing schemes for reducing LNA gain were reviewed and their respective cost-performance trade-offs were benchmarked against the customer’s set of requirements. Based on the selected design, a “proof of concept” prototype was then assembled and tested. The key components of this switch by-passable LNA were sourced from in-house product portfolio, …

Lna With A Bypass Mode Improves Overload Resistance For Mobile Tv, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Objective: This paper describes how a Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuit (MMIC) can be paired with an external PIN diode bypass switch in the implementation of a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) with overload protection feature for mobile TV receiver applications.

Method: In the preliminary phase of the design, competing schemes for reducing LNA gain were reviewed and their respective cost-performance trade-offs were benchmarked against the customer’s set of requirements. Based on the selected design, a “proof of concept” prototype was then assembled and tested.

Material: The key components of this switch by-passable LNA were sourced from in-house product portfolio, consisting of …

Design And Characterization Of A 1-Watt Driver Amplifier For Wireless Infrastructure, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Variable gain amplifiers (VGA) find application in RF systems wherever the signal amplitude must be varied in reaction to a changing environment. Transmitters' driver stage utilize VGAs to conserve power under good propagation conditions and to minimize interference to adjacent sites. Cellular base-station receivers use VGAs in the 2nd/3rd stage LNA to prevent mixer/DAC overloading. Commercially available L-band VGA devices require 14 to 19 external components and have modest linearity-to-power consumption ratio (OIP3 / Pdc). To achieve the industry's lowest component count and best linearity-to-power ratio, we developed a highly integrated VGA module from 0.25 x 3900 um enhancement-mode Pseudomorphic …

Mass-Market Designed-For-Cellular Mmics Can Be Gainfully Adapted For Use In Niche Applications On Different Frequencies, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Due to semiconductor manufacturers’ near exclusive focus on high growth markets such as cellular and wireless data, very little commercial RND resource is expended on developing Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuits (MMIC) for the lower-volume traditional wireless services such as aviation and land mobile, etc. To circumvent the dearth of MMICs in those under-served market segments, we intend to show how off-the-shelf cellular MMICs can be leveraged into non-cellular applications. For this purpose, a MMIC originally conceived as a 900 MHz 0.5W driver amplifier is redeployed to two dissimilar applications: (i) a high linearity Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) for the 400~520 …

Cut Part Count And Increase Dynamic Range In The Hybrid Coupled Attenuator, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Modern digital modulation formats are generally phase-sensitive. Therefore, the variable attenuators in digital wireless equipment should exhibit minimal phase variation over attenuation. The hybrid coupled attenuator (HCA) has substantially less phase variation than the competing constant-impedance attenuators such as the Pi and the Bridged-T. At microwave frequencies, HCA implementations tend to suffer from reduced dynamic (attenuation) range due to component parasitics, especially when plastic-packaged PIN diodes are selected to lower cost. To maximize the dynamic range in a low-cost 1.9 GHz HCA , we first identified the critical components and then compensated for their deleterious effect. This paper describes the …

Design A Pin Diode Switch For High-Linearity Applications, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

This paper describes the semiconductor technology, packaging and characterization of a new PIN diode for switching WCDMA signal up to 10W. PIN semiconductor technology was picked as the basis for this switch because of the various performance and reliability advantages that can be had. A model for the PIN diode is generated based on the measured RF performance. How the various model parameters affect the RF performance is also discussed. This is followed by an application description of a 2.0 GHz switch based on the said model and a discussion of some circuit changes to further improve the performance. The …

Rf Applications Of Pin Diodes, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

PIN diodes are the ubiquitous "nuts & screws" components that hold together RF equipment as varied as the television, radio, 2-way radios, WLAN equipment etc. This talk covers PIN diode characteristics and RF applications such as switches, attenuators and limiters. Performance improvement techniques will also be discussed.

Cut Loss In Low-Voltage, Wideband Pin Attenuators, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

Many RF applications, including Cable and Satellite TV (CATV / SATV) networks, rely on voltage-variable attenuators (VVAs) for gain adjustment. VVAs consisting of PIN diodes arranged as a PI network are popular in CATV / SATV service owing to their constant impedance, high linearity, multi-decade bandwidth, low part count and compactness. When fabricated from thick bulk PIN diodes for high linearity, the PI VVA configuration typically requires a 0-15V control range. But modern equipment typically operates at 5V or less. Capping the control voltage at 5V adversely raises the VVA's minimum attenuation. To enable low voltage operation without degrading the …

A Novel Method Of Detecting Missing Parallel/Multiple Bond-Wires In Microwave Transistors That Is Amenable To Integration With Automated Test Handlers, Chin-Leong Lim

Chin-Leong Lim

A method of detecting a missing parallel-connected bond-wires in packaged microwave transistors is described. Instead of the conventional way of testing the transistor in the amplifier configuration, the new method tests the device as an oscillator. Using the oscillation frequency as the screening criterion reduces test complexity and allows easy integration with existing automated test handlers