“Smallest” RF amplifier features no signal loss

The VMMK-2x03 is the world’s smallest RF amplifier with miniature 0402 package dimensions and no wirebonds. The innovative amplifier has almost no signal loss and minimal parasitics. Its ultra-small size and fully matched SMT design is optimized for 500MHz to 12GHz frequencies, making this device ideal for a variety of radio architectures.

The RF amplifier leverages the WaferCap chip scale packaging (CSP) technology. Measuring ultra small 1mm x 0.5mm x 0.25mm, the amplifier takes up 5 percent of the volume and uses only 10 percent of the board area of a standard SOT-343 package. In some cases, the ultra small amplifier can effectively reduce PCB area by more than 50 percent.

The new product is expected to change the way RF designers think about wireless product development. Its flexibility opens up new avenues for placement in RF designs, motivating designers to determine how to best leverage the size and performance of this product.

The VMMK-2x03 significantly improves performance over conventional amplifiers. No special tooling is required for assembly because the amplifiers support full surface mount capability. The amplifier has all I/Os routed to the backside of the device wafer through via-holes. As a result, the RF transitions suffer almost no signal loss and minimal parasitics. This is a significant improvement over conventional plastic packages where bond-wires exhibit substantial parasitics that limit the operating frequency.

The miniature VMMK-2x03 amplifier provides high gain, high IP3, low NF and integrated 50Ω input and output matching networks to simplify system design. Covering frequency ranges from 500MHz to 12GHz, it can be used in many positions in any radio architecture, such as mobile device, radios, sensors and military communication applications. The amplifier’s flexibility in size and superior high-frequency performance also make it suitable for applications such as wireline, fiber optic, base station, CATV, and instrumentation.