Avago Technologies Simplifies GPS Designs with First Complete GPS RF Front End Module with FBAR Filters

Avago Technologies Simplifies GPS Designs with First Complete GPS RF Front End Module with FBAR Filters

Avago has announced a GPS low noise amplifier, the ALM-1712 integrates a GPS LNA and two FBAR filters to simplify the design of GPS applications.

GPS Low Noise Amplifier with Integrated Filters Ideal for S-GPS, Superior Performance and Small Form Factor Designs

The ALM-1712 effectively integrates a sophisticated GPS LNA and two FBAR filters.  This results in a complete, compact and high-performance GPS RF front end module that simplifies the design of a wide range of GPS applications.

Simultaneous GPS, and other location-based GPS services, requires a high level of receiver sensitivity.  Avago’s ALM-1712 is a complete GPS RF front end that delivers very low noise figures, high linearity and superior out-of-band rejection performance.  By integrating a GPS LNA with pre and post high-rejection FBAR (film bulk acoustic resonator) filters, the high-performance ALM-1712 simplifies and shortens the RF design process, reduces component count and provides excellent RF performance levels that are critical in the use of GPS applications.

Avago’s highly integrated ALM-1712 is housed in a miniature 4.5 x 2.2 x 1.0 mm MCOB package, reducing PCB space by more 50% when compared to a discreet-only solution.  The integration of FBAR filtering enables the ALM-1712 to reach more than 85 dBc of cell/PCS-band rejection levels.  Additionally, the ALM-1712 effectively leverages Avago’s 0.5 um GaAs enhancement-mode pHEMT process to deliver a 1.7 dB noise figure, 13.5 dB gain, and +5 dBm IIP3 (input third order intercept point) at typical operating condition of 2.7V and 8 mA. At low voltages down to 1.8V, the module can still achieve very low noise figure and high linearity, which makes it very suitable for use in low-power GPS applications. 

The ALM-1712 is designed for the 1.575 GHz frequency band, targeting handset GPS, recreational and in-vehicle GPS receiver and GPS antenna applications.

Pricing and Availability

Products will be available in December 2008. Pricing for the ALM-1712 begins at $1.81 in the 10,000 piece quantity range.