Log RF Power Detector Features 75dB Dynamic Range

(Product News, 20 May 2008)

Linear Technology has launched LT5538, a new monolithic broadband, high performance logarithmic RF power detector that provides accurate RF power measurement over a wide frequency range covering the 800MHz to 900MHz and the 1.7GHz to 2.2GHz cellular bands, as well as the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz WiMAX bands. The LT5538 provides a DC output voltage that is log-linearly proportional to its input power level. Within its measurement dynamic range, the detector exhibits accuracy and linearity of ±0.8dB over its rated operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.

Moreover, the LT5538 has outstanding sensitivity, capable of detecting signals as small as -75dBm to as large as +10dBm at 2.14GHz. The device operates with a single-ended RF input, and requires no external RF transformer. Its dynamic range performance is ideal for RF power amplifier power control and monitoring for a wide range of wireless systems, as well as receiver AGC (Automatic Gain Control), and RSSI (Receive Signal Strength Indicator) functions. These are required functions for cellular basestations of all types, including large cells, microcells, picocells, and femtocells, wireless repeaters, WiMAX basestations, broadband wireless access points, broadband cable networks, military and commercial long-range radios, as well as test and measurement instrumentation.

The LT5538 utilizes Linear Technology's high speed bipolar process, enabling wide bandwidth and dynamic range performance. The fast output response of 100ns rise time and 200ns fall time to rapidly changing RF input signal levels make it suitable for rapid measurement of RF signal power in TDD (Time Division Duplexing) switching wireless operating environments, including WiMAX, TD-SCDMA, and other applications.

Click here for more information on Linear Technology's LT5538 RF Power Detector

Click here for more information on Linear Technology


RELATED ARTICLES

Linear Technology Releases 12-Bit, 3Msps SAR ADC in SOT23 Package

Linear Technology's Low-noise ADC Features 81.2dB SNR

Linear Technology Launches Switch-mode USB Power Manager with Integrated 1A Buck-boost

Linear Technology Releases 1.5GHz to 3.8GHz Active Upconverting Mixer

Linear Technology Launches Receiver Subsystem Capable to 160MSps