Low-noise RF Preamplifier

Overview

A low-noise amplifier for early gain stages that functions at at a range or radio frequencies. Functions using the PHA-13LN+ (see parts list at bottom).

Design

The LNA is housed inside a 0.75" X 0.5625" X 0.58" RF enclosure (see parts list at bottom). The enclosure takes SMA input and output, and requires 6+ V DC with ~75 mA of operating current. The enclosure is connected to the board and SMA GND. The current model does not have impedance matching incorporated.

Specs

Gain

[Gain data needed]

Safety limits

[Safety data needed]

Testing

The LNA was tested on the Halbach table-top scanner (~3 MHz center frequency) as a gain stage, along with the Minicircuits ZFL-500LN+ [1]. It demonstrated similar SNR to the lab's current AU-1583 amplifiers when total gain was comparable, using different gain stages. The domain chosen as "noise" is delimited by vertical dashed lines. All testing data is included below.

Files

KiCAD file:
Media:lna_kicad.zip
Testing data:
Media:lna_parts.txt