Assemble Amplifier Core

The layout with components values is shown below. The LNA uses 75k (red component) and the PA uses 10k for the redcomponent. For the amplifier core, the following will assist assembly.

Build Impedance Synthesis Boards

Overview of impedance synthesis PCB

These board can be build separate from the PA core, or if you have a board large enough, they can be made directly on the PA board.

Instructions on building a foil PCB. Please remember that the SMA that connects to the amplifier should NOT be soldered. You will remove it when you connect it to the PA.

Testing

The PA is tested in the VNA for S11 and S21. The Test setup is shown below. A 20 dB attenuator is inserted inline with the VNA to prevent damage. The loss is calibrated out, so the measurements are accurate.

If you do not have an attenuator, you can use your coupler as one as the directional port attenuates approximately -15dB.

The test results are shown below for the BFG520 transistor (discontinued). Your results will vary depending on your transistor, but should look qualitatively similar.. The amplifier achieved 13.36 dB of gain and has a return loss of 20.98 dB at 950 MHz.