Figure 14. Schematic Diagram of 1900 MHz Evaluation Amplifier.
RF
Output
C
C0
C2
C
RFC
V
d
R
bias
C3
C1
L1
R1
C4
C5
C
C0
SW2
SW1
R2
C6
R3
R4
IRF
C0
Vcon
Other currents can be set by
positioning the DIP switch to the
bypass state and adding an
external bias resistor to V
con
.
Unless an external resistor is used
to set the current, the V
con
termi-
nal is left open. DC blocking
capacitors are provided for the
both the input and output.
The 2-pin, 0.100" centerline single
row headers attached to the V
d
and V
con
connections on the PCB
provide a convenient means of
making connections to the board
using either a mating connector or
clip leads.
A Note on Performance
Actual performance of the
MGA-725M4 as measured in an
evaluation circuit may not exactly
match the datasheet specifica-
tions. The circuit board material,
passive components, RF bypasses
and connectors all introduce
losses and parasitics that degrade
device performance.
For the evaluation circuit above,
fabricated on 0.031-inch thick
GETEK G200D (e
r
=4.2) dielectric
material, circuit losses of about
0.3 dB would be expected at both
the input and output sides of the
RFIC at 1900 MHz. Measured
noise figure (3 volts, 20 mA bias)
would then be approximately
1.8 dB and gain 13.8 dB.
Hints and Troubleshooting
Preventing Oscillation
Stability of the MGA-725M4 is
dependent on having very good RF
grounding. Inadequate device
grounding or poor PCB layout
techniques could cause the device
to be potentially unstable.
Even though a design may be
unconditionally stable (K>1 and
B1>0) over its full frequency
range, other possibilities exist that
may cause an amplifier circuit to
oscillate. One condition to check
for is feedback in the bias circuit.
It is important to capacitively
bypass the connections to active
bias circuits to ensure stable
operation. In multistage circuits,
feedback through bias lines can
also lead to oscillation.
Components of insufficient quality
for the frequency range of the
amplifier can sometimes lead to
instability. Also, component values
that are chosen to be much higher
in value than is appropriate for the
application can present a problem.
In both of these cases, the compo-
nents may have reactive parasitics
that make their impedances very
different than expected. Chip
capacitors may have excessive
inductance or chip inductors can
exhibit resonances at unexpected
frequencies.
A Note on Supply Line Bypassing
Multiple bypass capacitors are
normally used throughout the
power distribution within a
wireless system. Consideration
should be given to potential
resonances formed by the combi-
nation of these capacitors and the
inductance of the DC distribution
lines. The addition of a small value
resistor in the bias supply line
between bypass capacitors will
often de-Q the bias circuit and
eliminate resonance effects.
Statistical Parameters
Several categories of parameters
appear within the electrical
specification portion of the
MGA-725M4 data sheet. Param-
eters may be described with
values that are either “minimum or
maximum”, “typical” or “standard
deviation”.
The values for parameters are
based on comprehensive product
characterization data, in which
automated measurements are
made on a statistically significant
number of parts taken from
nonconsecutive process lots of