[NLRS] What do these MMIC specs mean?

[Donn Baker - WA2VOI/0]

Simple answer is, NO, an MAR-6 won't provide +10dBm output.

An amplifier maintains a constant gain for low-level input signals. However, at higher input levels, the amplifier goes 
into saturation and its gain decreases. The 1 dB compression point (P1dB) indicates the power level that causes the gain 
to drop by 1 dB from its small signal value.   Its a measure of the linearity of the amplifier, or the amount of 
distortion of the output signal.

To get +10dBm output, you'd need something like a MAR-4 or ERA-2 (same package size as MAR-6).

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott" <acepilot at bloomer.net>
To: "NLRS List" <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 10:03 PM
Subject: [NLRS] What do these MMIC specs mean?


>
>
> Looking at a MAR-6 MMIC...
>
> I have approx. -8 dBm to -5 dBm drive level (144 MHz) that I need to bump up to +10 dBm or so.  So, the specs say gain 
> at 100 MHz is 22 dB.  That's good, I should be able to get somewhere between +14 dBm and +17 dBm out.  However, DEMI 
> website says MAR-6 has +10dBm at 1dB Gain compression.  What does that mean?  +10 dBm output max?  Another however, 
> MiniCircuits website says (for MAR-6), Output power at 1 dB compression is +3 dBm and Output IP3 is +14.5 dBm.  Will 
> the MAR-6 be able to deliver +10 dBm at 144 MHz or not?
>
> -- 
> Scott N0EDV
> http://corbenflyer.tripod.com/
> Flying Corben Junior Ace - Building RV-4
> Gotta Fly or Gonna Die
>
>
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