Linear Technology has launched the LTC6432-15, a differential amplifier with high dynamic range and extended bandwidth to low frequencies that broaden its usefulness and improve performance in a wide range of amplifier applications including high sample rate A/D converter drivers, cable network amplifiers, broadband signal source conditioning, radar receiver IF amplifiers, software defined radio, VHF/UHF broadcast radios and RF test instruments.
The LTC6432-15's provides 15 dB of gain, linearity of up to +50.3 dBm OIP3 (output third-order intercept), very high OP1dB (output 1dB compression point) of +22.7dBm, and 3.2 dB noise figure at 150 MHz. In addition to its outstanding signal-to-noise at high frequencies, it maintains its dynamic range performance even at lower frequencies. That is because the LTC6432-15’s advanced SiGe bipolar design exhibits significantly lower 1/f noise frequency corner than that of GaAs or pHEMT FET based amplifiers. Hence its noise figure rises to only 6.6 dB at 100 kHz, compared to more than 20 dB for other amplifiers. The amplifier effectively extends the useful bandwidth and dynamic range performance for many applications that process low frequency signals. Moreover, it achieves superior stability over temperature, power supply ranges and from device to device compared to GaAs and pHEMT amplifiers.
The differential inputs and outputs are internally 100 Ω terminated. Its inputs are matched from 100 kHz to 1.4 GHz, with better than 10 dB return loss over the full bandwidth. The output is also matched from 100 kHz to 1 GHz. The amplifier needs only DC blocking capacitors at its inputs and outputs, two chokes for proper biasing, plus one feedback capacitor per output to extend its excellent gain flatness to low frequencies.
The LTC6432-15 operates from a single 5V supply. It draws a nominal 166 mA supply current. The device is specified for operation over a case temperature range from -40°C to 85°C. It is available in a 4 mm x 4 mm plastic QFN package in two grades: a B-grade with all typical parametric performance at $3.69 each in 1,000-piece quantities, and a higher performance A-grade with tested and guaranteed specifications at $6.44 each. Both are available immediately from stock. Click here to learn more information.
