Shipboard Low Noise Amplifier Assembly

Auriga LNA assembly product AU5602-8

Today’s shipboard receiver electronics are kept within the hull, protecting sensitive circuitry from exposure to harsh electromagnetic, weather, and corrosive conditions. Heavy, expensive, low-loss cabling is used to connect the receiver to the mast-top antenna.

Alternatively, if the low-noise amplifier (LNA) assembly could be mast-top mounted, this cabling could be exchanged with a thinner, lighter, and less costly replacement. This would also improve the dynamic range and noise figure of the receiver. To be feasible, the assembly must survive powerful electromagnetic energy generated from nearby transmitters without reflecting that energy back into the environment. Current systems cannot provide this capability.

The Auriga solution uses GaN to overcome the challenges of mast-top deployment without degrading system performance. GaN is inherently rugged enough to eliminate the need for limiter circuits, which tend to be bulky and narrow band. Using the Auriga large-signal GaN model, the design can be optimized for low noise and excellent linearity. In addition to improving system performance, the Auriga LNA assembly reduces mast weight, lowers deployment cost, and improves reliability.

Optimization Priorities:

• Noise
• Bandwidth
• Survivable power

Balanced Solution:

Design and deliver a hermetically sealed LNA to meet stringent RF performance requirements and withstand severe environmental conditions. Power handling, noise, and linearity will all be optimized. Optional module features include:

• Built-in test and recovery
• Redundancy
• LNA bypass
• Start-up diagnostics
• CAM interface