SiGe BiCMOS LNA Sets High Gain Benchmark

The MAX2659, a low-noise amplifier (LNA) for GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS applications, reportedly achieves the highest gain available, specified at 20.5 dB with a noise figure of 0.8 dB, while maximizing the input-referred 1 dB compression and third-order intercept points at -12 dBm and -2 dBm, respectively. The chip targets a range of low-cost consumer applications including automotive navigation, asset tracking, cellular handsets, portable navigation devices, digital cameras, and laptops. It operates from a single 1.6V to 3.3V supply and consumes 4 mA. Supply current is reduced to less than 1 µA in shutdown mode. Available in a six-pin, 1.5 mm x 1.0 mm x 0.75 mm leadless microDFN package, prices start at $0.70 each/1,000. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.