The TQ9147 is a high efficiency two stage GaAs MESFET power amplifier IC
intended for use in AMPS (IS-19) applications that operate in the US Cellular (824 849 MHz) band. The TQ9147 requires minimal external RF circuitry and operates
from a 4.8-Volt supply. With its flexible, off-chip, single component output matching
circuit, the TQ9147 is suitable for use in other applications near the cellular band,
such as 900 MHz ISM applications.
The TQ9147 utilizes a space saving SO-16 plastic package that minimizes board
area and cost.
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Page 2
TQ9147B
Data Sheet
Electrical Characteristics
Parameter
Frequencytuned for cellular band824849MHz
Supply Voltage (VDD)
Temperaturemeasured at case-4025+110
P
OUT
Efficiency5560%
Rx band Noise
Small Signal GainPIN = -10 dBm32dB
Power GainP
Input Return LossPIN = -30 to +7 dBm10dB
Harmonics
4th Harmonic
Spurious (Stability)PIN = -30 to +7 dBm-70dBc/30 kHz
RF Off Isolation20dBc
RuggednessVDD at burnout6.5V
Note 1: Test Conditions: VDD = 4.8 V, PIN = +7 dBm, Freq. = 824 & 849 MHz, VGG = 3.5 V, TC = 25° C.
Note 2: Noise power is measured in 30 kHz band width at the transmit frequency plus 45 MHz
Note 3: Load is set to 50 ohms, output power measured at nominal test conditions. Load VSWR is set to 10:1 and the angle is varied 360 degrees over 5 seconds.
1
ConditionsMinTyp/NomMaxUnits
2.74.86.0V
2
2nd Harmonic
3rd Harmonic
VDD = 4.8 V
VDD = 4.3 V
PIN = -30 to +7 dBm-90dBm
= 32 dBm (typ)25dB
OUT
31.532
30
-30
-35
-35
Load set to 50 ohms, output power remeasured and compared with the first measurement to check for no degradation from the first measurement.
o
C
dBm
dBm
dBc
dBc
dBc
Absolute Maximum Ratings
ParameterValueUnits
DC Power Supply
1
8.0V
DC Gate Voltage-5.0V
RF Input Power20dBm
Storage Temperature-55 to 150
Operating Temperature (case)-40 to 110
Note 1: Into a 10:1 mismatch.
° C
° C
2For additional information and latest specifications, see our website: www.triquint.com
6For additional information and latest specifications, see our website: www.triquint.com
Page 7
TQ9147B
Data Sheet
Product Description
The TQ9147 is a high efficiency two stage GaAs MESFET
power amplifier IC intended for use in AMPS (IS-19)
applications that operate in the US Cellular (824 - 849 MHz)
band. The TQ9147 requires minimal external RF circuitry and
operates from a 4.8-Volt supply. With its flexible, off-chip, single
component output matching circuit, the TQ9147 is suitable for
use in other applications near the cellular band, such as 900
MHz ISM applications.
The TQ9147 utilizes a space saving SO-16 plastic package that
minimizes board area and cost.
Operation
Please refer to the application circuit above.
Gate Biasing and Bypassing
The TQ9147 is a dual-supply power amplifier (PA). Because it
utilizes depletion-mode MESFETs, a negative bias voltage must
be supplied to the gate of each FET. There are several
excellent choices of negative voltage bias supplies (charge
pumps) on the market, such as the Maxim MAX881R, or the
Harris ILC7660S. A simple resistor divider circuit is the most
inexpensive way to bias the gates of each stage from the charge
pump. However, due to fabrication tolerances and the large
window of main supply voltages under which the device can
function, the active bias method shown in the application circuit
is recommended.
This bias technique accurately sets the bias point for each stage
and optimizes the quiescent current and efficiency over a wide
range of supply voltages and output power levels. The following
table lists the nominal values of gate voltage and quiescent
current when this bias method is used. It is important to
remember that the negative gate voltage must be supplied first
in order to protect the device from inadvertent high drain
currents. If the drains are turned on before the gate bias is set,
the IC can be damaged or destroyed.
Gate Bias Voltages and Drain Quiescent Current
ParameterValueUnits
V
DD
V
G1
V
G2
I
DQ1
I
DQ2
4.8V
-1.5V
-2.2V
50MA
0-100mA
The gate of each FET in the IC is RF bypassed on chip.
However, additional low frequency filtering and noise
suppression must be done externally. This is accomplished with
a 51 Ohm resistor (R1) and 0.1 µF cap (C4) from pin 11 (Vg2).
This capacitor and resistor combination also ensures device
stability under all conditions.
Drain Bypassing
C1 (0.1 µF) provides RF bypassing for the high impedance side
of the RF choke (L1).
Input Match
The device input is internally matched to 50 Ohms. A 50-Ohm
transmission line is all that is required between the PA and the
driver amp.
Output Match and High Power Bias Injection
Pins 1 and 16 are dual-purpose pins, providing for both the RF
output and the high power DC input for the drain of the second
stage FET. As such, these pins are connected to a 50-Ohm
transmission line. Locating C2 (8.2 pF) approximately 200 mils
from the device along this transmission line acts as a shorted
stub tuner that transforms the low output impedance (~ 7.5
Ohms) of the power stage to 50 Ohms. Varying the position of
C2 along the line can alter the output match in order to optimize
either power output or efficiency. In general, the farther away
C2 is from the pins the higher the efficiency at the expense of
power output. The closer the cap is, the higher the output
power at the expense of efficiency. By varying the value and
position of C2, the device can be easily tuned for a different
frequency range such as the 902 – 928 MHz ISM band. C3 (68
pF) is a DC blocking cap.
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Page 8
TQ9147B
Data Sheet
Drain current for the second stage is injected through L1 (47
nH), which acts as an RF choke on the high power DC feed line.
As stated above, C1 is the bypass cap for the high impedance
side of L1.
Power down Function
To fully turn off the PA when not transmitting, a PMOS FET
(PFET) switch can be used to control the drain bias to the PA.
There are several acceptable models available on the market,
such as the IRF7604 from International Rectifier, or any device
with low R
this type is that it protects the PA from inadvertently powering up
the device incorrectly. Since depletion-mode FETs are used in
the PA, care must be taken to insure that the gate bias is fully
stabilized before drain bias is applied. If not, the full value of I
will flow, which could damage or destroy the IC. A feature
included in the Maxim charge pump allows for a separate
control output to run the PFET. This control line holds the PFET
off until the gate bias voltage has stabilized.
. An added benefit of incorporating a switch of
DSon
Dss
RF Power Control
There are three methods of controlling the output power from
the TQ9147. All three methods can provide a minimum 25 dB of
control range for the device, which exceeds the requirements of
IS-19.
The first method is to vary the gate bias voltages. Though this
approach has the advantage of increased efficiency at lower
output power levels, it is hampered by two problems. First, both
gate voltages must be varied. Since each stage typically
requires a different bias point, the control circuit must monitor
both bias points, thereby complicating the design.
The second drawback is that most charge pumps, including
those recommended above, require large capacitors on the
output for filtering and stability. Such large cap values may not
allow full compliance with the required 20 mS transition spec
between any two power levels.
The second method is to vary the input power level. Though
this can be done with a simple attenuator between the driver
amp and the PA, the response is very non-linear, as the PA
must first come out of saturation before the output power can
change. Once out of saturation, the first stage is class A biased,
which means that the drain current is constant regardless of
power settings. The addition of an attenuator also adds to the
expense of the parts list and to the board size equation, and
increases the insertion loss the driver amp must overcome.
The third, and preferred, method is to vary the drain supply
voltage to the first stage. By forcing the first stage bias lower,
the first stage is always heavily saturated, thus saving battery
power. Since the second stage is biased class AB, drain current
to that stage lowers as the drive level decreases. This method
optimizes battery savings over the other approaches. The
simplest implementation of this technique would be to
incorporate a second PFET to control the first stage drain. This
circuit can be realized buy utilizing a dual PFET such as the
International Rectifier IRF7314, which has two low R
a single SO-8 package. By cascoding the two FETs, one
implements a master on/off function while the second controls
only the first stage drain bias. This technique also fits very well
with the active gate biasing circuit that was recommended
previously.
DSon
FETs in
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Page 9
Package Pinout
TQ9147B
Data Sheet
RF
OUT
GND
V
G3
GND
RF
IN
GND
V
G1
Pin Descriptions
Pin NamePin #Description and Usage
RF
OUT
RF
IN
V
G1
V
D1
V
G2
GND2, 3, 4, 5, 7,
1,16Power Amplifier output and second-stage supply voltage. Critical, but simple, matching circuit required. Bias choke for V
required, local bypass cap recommend, and DC blocking capacitor required.
6
RF input to power amplifier. Matched to 50 Ω. Internal DC block.
8First stage gate voltage. Local bypass cap needed. Set VG1 = -1.5 V or use bias stabilization circuit.
9First stage supply voltage. Local bypass cap recommended. Use same voltage as VD2 or use bias stabilization circuit.
11
Second stage gate voltage. Local bypass cap needed. Required 50 Ω series resistor near device for stability. Set
VG2 = -2.2 V or use bias stabilization circuit.
Ground connections. Provide thermal path for heat dissipation and RF grounding. Very important to place multiple via holes
For technical questions and additional information on specific applications:
Email: info_wireless@tqs.com
The information provided herein is believed to be reliable; TriQuint assumes no liability for inaccuracies or omissions. TriQuint assumes no responsibility for the use of
this information, and all such information shall be entirely at the user's own risk. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. No patent rights or
licenses to any of the circuits described herein are implied or granted to any third party.
TriQuint does not authorize or warrant any TriQuint product for use in life-support devices and/or systems.