Amplifier offers 'lowest’ noise performance of 0.045dB
An integrated amplifier with an ultra low noise figure of 0.045dB has been demonstrated by a team from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.
The amp – which measures 2 x 0.75mm - has a large bandwidth of 0.5 to13GHz and a high gain exceeding 38dB across the frequency band.
"The combination of high gain, large bandwidth and ultra low noise figure makes this circuit very attractive for large multi pixel arrays containing thousands of antennas," said researcher Jan Grahn, who led the project.
The amplifier was created using an indium phosphide based process for what is known as high electron mobility transistors.
Components were fabricated on a monolithic chip on an indium phosphide wafer. All parts of the design were optimised for the lowest noise performance possible.
The researchers cooled the amplifier to a rather cool 260°C to demonstrate its extreme performance.
