GPS/GNSS Front-End Amplifier

The MAX2678 GPS/GNSS front-end amplifier IC is designed for automotive and marine GPS/GNSS satellite navigation antenna modules, or for any application that needs to compensate for cable losses from the 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 IC features the option to place a bandpass ceramic or surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter between the two amplifier stages for improved immunity to out-of-band interferers. Additionally, a 3.4dB-gain step is provided to compensate for cable loss variation between different applications.

The device is designed to operate across all GNSS frequency standards with a 35dB typical cascaded gain and a 25mA supply current. The two LNA stages allow the use of a wide range of GNSS filter types for maximum flexibility in system design. The final RF output pin, which drives the cable to the GNSS receiver, is also the power-supply connection that accepts a DC supply in the 3.0V to 5.25V range. Alternatively, the DC supply can be applied to pin 4.

This GPS/GNSS front-end amplifier is available in a lead-free, 10-pin TDFN surface-mount package (3mm × 3mm). Electrical performance is guaranteed over the extended -40°C to +105°C temperature range.

Applications

* Active Antennas * Integrated Automotive and Marine GPS Receivers

* First Amplifier Noise Figure: 0.9dB

* High Gain:* 35dB

* 3.4dB Gain Step

* Shared VCC and RFOUT2 Pin

* Integrated 50Ω Output Matching

* AMP 2 includes 50Ω Input Matching

* 3.0V to 5.25V Supply Voltage Range

* Small (3mm &times 3mm) Low-Cost Package

* AEC-Q100 Qualified

* ESD Protected to ±2kV Human Body Model

* -40°C to +105°C Ambient Temperature Range