The SCRS-00-1000 from Spectrum Control is a RF Front-End (RFFE) System-in-Package that operates from 6 to 18 GHz (filtered) and 2 to 20 GHz (unfiltered). It delivers the capabilities of an Integrated Microwave Assembly (IMA) in a compact, high-volume package. This RFFE’s surface-mount design along with built-in digital control offers up to 86% reduction in lifecycle costs and 3x improvement in the design velocity. The front-end consists of an Intel Altera FPGA, 8 voltage regulators, 4 RF amplifiers, 2 digital attenuators, an RF detector, and 6 RF filters with passive components. It has an on-board memory that allows calibration for optimal performance over wide temperature ranges.
The SCR-00-0100’s amplifier provides a gain of 15 dB with a noise figure of less than 10 dB and has an output P1dB of 17 dBm. The integrated digital attenuators have a switching speed of less than 100 ns and a settling time of 1 µs. This RFFE requires a DC supply of ±8 V and consumes 480 mA (+8 V) and 40 mA (-8 V) of current. It is available in a surface-mount package that measures 30 x 30 mm. This front-end system-in-package is ideal for test and measurement, electronic warfare, aerospace, smart antennas, unmanned systems, wireless communications, and radar applications.
