1
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
Product Image
Designed for wideband lar ge signal output and drive stages
up to 400 MHz range.
N–Channel enhancement mode
• Guaranteed 28 V, 150 MHz performance
Output power = 30 W
Minimum gain = 13 dB
Efficiency — 60% (Typical)
• Small– and large–signal characterization
• Typical performance at 400 MHz, 28 Vdc, 30 W output = 7.7 dB gain
• 100% tested for load mismatch at all phase ang les with 30:1 VSWR
• Low noise figure — 1.5 dB (typ.) at 1.0 A, 150 MHz
• Excellent thermal stability, id eally suited for Class A operation
• Facilitates manual gain control, ALC and modulation techn iques
Maximum Ratings
2
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
3
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
4
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
5
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
6
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
7
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
8
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
9
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
10
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.
RF POWER MOSFET CONSIDERATIONS
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
The MRF137 is a RF power N–Channel enhancement-
mode field–effect transistor (FET) designed especially for
VHF power amplifier applications. M/A-COM RF MOS
FETs feature a vertical structure with a planar design, thus
avoiding the processing difficulties associated with V–
groove vertical power FET s .
M/A-COM Application Note AN211A, FET s in Theory and-
Practice, is suggested reading for those not familiar with
the construction and characteristics of FETs.
The major advantages of RF power FETs include high
gain, low noise, simple bias systems, relative immunity
from thermal runaway, and the ability to withstand severel y
mismatched loads without suffering damage. Power output
can be varied over a wide range with a low power dc con-
trol signal, thus facilitating manual gain control, ALC and
modulation.
DC BIAS
The MRF137 is an enhancement mode FET and, there-
fore, does not conduct when drain voltage is applied. Drai n
current flows when a positive voltage is applied to the gate.
See Figure 10 for a typical plot of drain current versus gate
voltage. RF power FETs require forward bias for optimum
performance.
The value of quiescent drain current (IDQ) is not critical
formany applications. The MRF137 was characterized at
IDQ = 25 m A, wh ich i s the s uggested minimum value of IDQ.
For special applications such as linear amplification, IDQ
may have to be selected to optimize the critical parameters.
The gate is a dc open circuit and draws no current. There-
fore, the gate bias circuit may generally be just a simple
resistive divider network. Some speci al a pplications may
require a more elaborate bias system.
GAIN CONTROL
Power output of the MRF137 may be controlled from
its rated value down to zero (negative gain) by varying the
dc gate voltage. This feature facilitates the design of man-
ual gain control, AGC/ALC and modulation systems. (See
Figure 9.)
AMPLIFIER DESIGN
Impedance matching networks similar to those used
with bipolar VHF transistors are suitable for MRF137. See
M/A-COM Application Note AN721, Impedance Matching
Networks Applied to RF Power Transistors. The higher
input impedance of RF MOS FETs helps ease the task of
broadband network design. Both small signal scattering
parameters and large signal impedances are provided.
While the s–parameters will not produce an exact design
solution for high power operation, the y do yield a go od first
approximation. This is an additional advantage of RF MOS
power FETs.
RF power FETs are triode devices and, therefore, not
unilateral. This, coupled with the very high gain of the
MRF137, yields a device capable of self oscillation. Stabil-
ity may be achieved by techniques such as drain loading,
input shunt resistive loading, or output to input feedback.
Two port parameter stability analysis with the MRF137 s–
parameters provides a useful t ool for sel ection of loading or
feedback circuitry to assure stable operation. See M/A-
COM Application Note AN215A for a discussion of t wo port
network theory and stability.
11
The RF MOSFET Line
30W, to 400MHz, 28V M/A-COM Products
Released - Rev. 01302012
MRF137
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 / Fax: 978.366.2266
• Europe Tel: 44.1908.574.200 / Fax: 44.1908.574.300
• Asia/Pacific Tel: 81.44.844.8296 / Fax: 81.44.844.8298
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and prod uct information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
ADVANCED: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology Solutions
is considering for development. Performance is based on target specifications, simulated results,
and/or prototype measurements. Commitment to develop is not guaranteed.
PRELIMINARY: Data Sheets contain information regarding a product M/A-COM Technology
Solutions has under development. Performance is based on engineering tests. Specifications are
typical. Mechanical outline has been fixed. Engineering samples and/or test data may be available.
Commitment to produce in volume is not guaranteed.