1575MHz GPS Front-End Amplifier

The MAX12000 GPS front-end amplifier IC is designed for marine GPS satellite navigation antenna modules or for any application that needs to compensate for cable losses from the GPS antenna to receiver. Two unconditionally stable low-noise amplifier stages provide the high gain and integrated I/O matching to minimize the need for external matching components and eliminate the need for additional gain stages. The MAX12000 features the option to place a bandpass ceramic or SAW filter between the two amplifier stages to provide a narrow-band output to further improve the noise performance of the GPS receiver. Additionally, a 3.4dB gain step is provided to compensate for cable loss variation between different applications.

The MAX12000 is designed to operate at the GPS frequency of 1575MHz with a 34.8dB typical cascaded gain and a 25mA supply current. The two LNA stages allow the use of a wide range of GPS filter types for maximum flexibility in system design. The final RF output pin, which drives the cable to the GPS receiver, is also the power-supply connection that accepts a DC supply in the +3.0V to +5.5V range. Alternatively, the DC supply can be applied to pin 4.

The GPS front-end amplifier is designed on a low-noise, advanced SiGe process and is available in a lead-free, 10-pin TDFN surface-mount package (3mm x 3mm).

Applications

* Marine GPS Receivers

* First Amp Noise Figure*: 1.0dB

* High Gain**: 34.8dB

* 3.4dB Gain Step

* Integrated 50Ω Output Matching

* 3.0V to 5.5V Supply Voltage Range

* Small, Low-Cost Package (3mm x 3mm)

* ESD Protected to ±1kV Human Body Model