
can be used to control the value of
the source resistor in discrete
increments. Both methods of
adaptive biasing are depicted in
Figure 6.
Applying the Device Voltage
Common to all methods of
biasing, voltage V
d
is applied to
the MGA-725M4 through the RF
Output connection (Pin 4). A RF
choke is used to isolate the RF
signal from the DC supply. The
bias line is capacitively bypassed
to keep RF from the DC supply
lines and prevent resonant dips or
peaks in the response of the
amplifier. Where practical, it may
be cost effective to use a length of
high impedance transmission line
(Preferably
λ
/4) in place of the
RFC.
When using the gate bias method,
the overall device voltage is equal
to the sum of V
ref
at Pin 2 and
voltage V
d
at Pin 4. As an example,
to bias the device at the typical
operating voltage of 3 volts, V
d
would be set to 2.5 volts for a V
ref
of -0.5 volts. Figure 7 shows a DC
schematic of a gate bias circuit.
Just as for the gate bias method,
the overall device voltage for
source resistor biasing is equal to
V
ref
+ V
d
. Since V
ref
is zero when
using a source resistor, V
d
is the
same as the device operating
voltage, typically 3 volts. A source
resistor bias circuit is shown in
Figure 8.
RF
Output
RFC
V
d
= +2.5 V
Vref = -0.5 V
RF
Input
Figure 7. DC Schematic for Gate Bias.
RF
Output
RFC
V
d
= +2.5 V
R
bias
RF
Input
Figure 8. DC Schematic of Source Resistor
Biasing.
A DC blocking capacitor at the
output of the RFIC isolates the
supply voltage from succeeding
circuits. If the source resistor
method of biasing is used, the RF
input terminal of the MGA-725M4
is at DC ground potential and a
blocking capacitor is not required
unless the input is connected
directly to a preceding stage that
has a DC voltage present.
Biasing for Higher Linearity or
Output Power
While the MGA-725M4 is designed
primarily for use up to 50 mA in
3 volt applications, the output
power can be increased by using
higher currents and/or higher
supply voltages. If higher bias
levels are used, appropriate
caution should be observed for
both the thermal limits and the
Absolute Maximum Ratings.
As a guideline for operation at
higher bias levels, the Maximum
Operating conditions shown in the
data sheet table of Absolute
Maximum Ratings should be
followed. This set of conditions is
the maximum combination of bias
voltage, bias current, and device
temperature that is recommended
for reliable operation. Note: In
contrast to Absolute Maximum
Ratings, in which exceeding may
one parameter may result in
damage to the device, all of the
Maximum Operating conditions
may reliably be applied to the
MGA-725M4 simultaneously.
Controlling the Switch
The state of the MGA-725M4
(amplifier or bypass mode) is
controlled by the device current.
For device currents greater than
5 mA, the MGA-725M4 functions
as an amplifier. If the device
current is set to zero, the
MGA-725M4 is switched into
bypass mode in which the ampli-
fier is turned off and the signal is
routed around the amplifier with a
loss of approximately 2.5 dB.
The bypass state is normally
engaged in the presence of high
input levels to prevent distortion
of the signal that might occur in
the amplifier. In the bypass state
the input TOI is very high, typi-
cally +39 dBm at 1900 MHz.
Figure 6. Adaptive Bias Control.
Analog
Control
Output
& V
d
Output
& V
d
Input
Input
V
ref
2
4
3
1
V
ref
Analog Control
(b) Digital
(a) Analog
2
2
3
1