Low Noise Amplifiers

FEATURES:

Frequency Range Option: 30KHz to 40 GHz
17 dB to 45 dB Small Signal Gain
Low Noise Figure
50 Ohm Input and Output Matched
Internal Voltage Regulation and Bias Sequencing
Unconditionally Stable
Sealed Module
-50ºC to 100ºC Standard

Princeton Microwave Technology cascadable amplifiers is offered in TO-8 packages, TC-1 connectorized cases, and surface mount PlanerPak packages, respectively. Available with PmT R Series screening, these amplifiers are cascadable modules designed for the best possible performance under difficult operating conditions. They offer unconditional stability and guaranteed performance over the specified frequency response range and temperature extremes. Voltage requirements vary from +5 VDC to +24 VDC, depending on the model. Internally, these units contain various combinations of Si or GaAa MMICs and discreet components on alumina substrates, with thin-film gold interconnect and resistors, Since these units are cascadable modules, both input and output circuits of each device is optimized for the best 50-ohm impedance match. These amplifiers are ideal for pulse amplification, radar and avionic military systems, and high-speed fiber optic systems. High-frequency surface mount amplifiers, up to 140 GHz are available.

Model Number: PmTA – Start End Frequency – Gain – Noise Figure

MODEL NUMBER	Frequency (GHz)		Gain	Pout 1dB	Noise Figure	Datasheet
MODEL NUMBER	Start	Stop	dB Min	dB min	dB Max	Datasheet
PmTA-0506-30-4	0.05	6	30	18	4	Datasheet
PmTA-0112-30-4	1	12	30	17	4	Datasheet
PmTA-0218-17-2	2	18	17	18	2	Datasheet
PmTA-0220-30-2.5	2	20	30	16	2.5	Datasheet
PmTA-0223-30-2	2	23	30	17	2	Datasheet
PmTA-0618-40-1.8	6	18	40	16	1.8	Datasheet
PmTA-0620-40-2.5	6	20	40	10	2.5	Datasheet
PmTA-0721-45-2.3	7	21	45	15	2.3	Datasheet
PmTA-1230-24-2	12	30	24	23	2	Datasheet
PmTA-1830-20-3	18	30	20	10	3	Datasheet
PmTA-1832-44-3	18	32	44	18	3	Datasheet
PmTA-2030-30-2.2	20	30	30	11	2.2	Datasheet
PmTA-40G-15-4.5	30KHz	40	15	22	4.5	Datasheet
PmTA-40G-24-3.2	30khz	40	24	11	3.2	Datasheet

Selecting a Low Noise Amplifier

In any receive chain, the first amplifier sets the noise floor for everything that follows. Friis’ formula makes the point precisely: the noise contribution of every later stage is divided by the cumulative gain ahead of it, so the noise figure of the first LNA dominates the system total. A fraction of a dB at the front end is worth far more than the same improvement anywhere else in the chain.

What to Specify

Noise figure — the headline parameter, and the one to hold across the full operating temperature range rather than at room temperature alone
Gain and gain flatness — enough gain to suppress the noise of following stages, flat enough not to distort the passband
P1dB and IP3 — linearity limits that determine behaviour with strong in-band or adjacent-channel signals
Input and output return loss — critical when the LNA follows a filter or antenna whose match varies across the band
Survivability — input power the device must tolerate without damage, particularly in radar and EW applications near transmitters

Where They Are Used

Low noise amplifiers sit at the front of satellite ground station and on-board receivers, radar receive chains, electronic warfare and SIGINT systems, and precision test instrumentation. In each case the LNA is recovering signals close to the thermal noise floor, so both noise performance and stability over temperature matter more than raw gain.

Design and Screening

Princeton Microwave designs and builds solid-state low noise amplifiers for military, space, and commercial programs, with custom frequency coverage, connector and packaging options, and extended environmental screening available. Amplifiers can be supplied with characterization data at temperature extremes for direct inclusion in system link budgets.

Related products: Amplifiers Overview | Power Amplifiers | ALC Amplifiers | UHF Amplifiers | T/R Modules

Technical reading: How to Characterize Low Noise Amplifiers | Design & Manufacturing Capabilities

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