What chip is used in this widely available generic LNA?

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In summary, the article discusses the specific chip utilized in a commonly available generic Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), highlighting its features, performance characteristics, and applications in various electronic devices.
  • #1
Swamp Thing
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Has anyone reverse engineered one of these generic LNA boards that you can buy from scores of online sources these days? What is the device used? I will be using this in some DIY projects so it would be nice to have an "official" datasheet as a baseline reference. For example, what is the P1db? Is it likely to be unconditionally stable under mismatch conditions?

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  • #2
Probably a Field Effect Transistor.
There are numbers printed on it. Use a magnifying glass or microscope to read it, then look it up on-line.
 
  • #3
I would assume someplace there is documentation that tells you specifically. Probably not the exact board you have but they are all likely doing something similar.
 
  • #4
There is plenty of data with the evaluation module advertisements, but no part number.
Either read the text on the chip, or recognise the style of the evaluation PCB.
Maybe the rotated chip, and the text on the PCB = XR-601 is a clue.

Some foreign companies often replicate an evaluation board, designed by a Western manufacturer. A common target is ADI, since they provide Gerber files for their evaluation boards.

Maybe there is a foreign built LNA chip, a clone that does not quite meet the specs, being dumped as a cheap module that cannot be sold in any other way, without a liability.
 
  • #5
Swamp Thing said:
For example, what is the P1db?
Sorry, where do you see that?

Swamp Thing said:
Is it likely to be unconditionally stable under mismatch conditions?
Why in the world would you try to use an RF amp under mismatched conditions?
 
  • #6
The markings have been erased from the device on this
board.

I have an RF amplifier board of another kind which also doesn't have numbers on the devices, but luckily in that case someone had a unit with the numbers on and posted a video on YouTube with part numbers, schematic etc. I found the video by searching for the item title as posted on Amazon by various vendors. I am hoping to turn up something similar for the board in question.

berkeman said:
Sorry, where do you see that?
P1dB -- one dB compression point. The power level at which the gain drops by 1 dB due to saturation -- an indicator of the max power output it would deliver.

berkeman said:
Why in the world would you try to use an RF amp under mismatched conditions?
Could well happen when I connect an experimental receiving antenna to the input. Or an experimental mixer or something.

Baluncore said:
Maybe the ... XR-601 is a clue.
Kenwood makes an unrelated product called XR-601-1 which dominates the search results. If I search with "-kenwood", still no luck.
 
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FAQ: What chip is used in this widely available generic LNA?

What chip is commonly used in a widely available generic LNA?

The most commonly used chip in widely available generic Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) is the Mini-Circuits PGA-103+ due to its low noise figure and wide bandwidth.

What are the key specifications of the chip used in generic LNAs?

The key specifications include a noise figure of around 0.5 dB, a gain of approximately 20 dB, and an operational frequency range from 50 MHz to 4 GHz.

Why is the Mini-Circuits PGA-103+ chip preferred in generic LNAs?

The Mini-Circuits PGA-103+ chip is preferred because it offers a good balance between low noise, high gain, and wide frequency range, making it suitable for various applications such as RF and microwave communications.

Are there any alternatives to the Mini-Circuits PGA-103+ chip in generic LNAs?

Yes, alternatives include the Analog Devices HMC516, the Skyworks SKY67150, and the Qorvo TQP3M9008, each offering similar performance but may vary in specific parameters like gain, noise figure, and frequency range.

How can I identify the chip used in a specific generic LNA module?

To identify the chip used in a specific generic LNA module, you can refer to the datasheet provided by the manufacturer, inspect the physical markings on the chip, or consult the product specifications and documentation.

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