ADF5356
Recommended for New Designs
The ADF5356 allows implementation of fractional-N or integer N
phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizers when used with an external loop filter and...
Datasheet
ADF5356 on Analog.com
Hi there,
I was hoping to possibly get some help regarding the HMC487LP5E RF amplifier drawing an excessive amount of current.
For reference: We designed an RF board that combines the ADF5356 RF synthesizer and the HMC487LP5E RF amplifier. It also contains the PS setup for the 2 circuits along with a Transimpedance amplifier based off of OPA858. The Synthesizer circuit and the Amplifier circuits are based of the IC's eval boards (ADF5356 and HMC487LP5E)
We have 2 of the boards already up and running for months without problems but we have had problems with 2 others.
When connecting our working Custom RF boards to our Power supply, the max current drawn on the boards that worked was approximately 430mA @ 11.9V (input to our power supply)
-->RF synthesizer supply: 6V
-->RF amplifier Vg: -0.74v Vd: 6.3V
When connecting the ADF5356 eval board along with the HMC487LP5E eval board to the same Power supply, the max current drawn is similarly 410mA @ 11.9V
-->RF synthesizer supply: 6V
-->RF amplifier Vg: -0.74v Vd: 6.3V
When connecting the Problematic Custom RF boards to our Power supply, the max current drawn is around 1.3A @ 11.9V
-->RF synthesizer supply: 6V
-->RF amplifier Vg: -0.74v (gate voltage range jumps from 0V..-2V to 0V..-4V)
-->Vd: 6.3V
I realize that according to the datasheet, the HMC487LP5E can draw up to 1.3A, but occasionally when our entire unit is setup, that already high current has experienced a surge for whatever reason resulting in the IC shorting out and the problem is, the RF amplifier is expensive. Seeing how 2/4 boards worked without a hitch logic would dictate that there is an outside source causing the problem. I have uploaded the schematics for our board, in case it helps-but I was wondering if you could recommend some sort of protection circuit, that could potentially be added to our board to try to limit the current to the expected value (the eval board run at about 430mA). Ironically there was/is no difference between the boards that 'worked' and those that drew excessive amounts of current.
I would greatly appreciate any insights on the matter.
Regards,
Tayeb
Hi Tayeb,
You could always put a surge stopper in front of your power supply, but the 1.3A draw is typical, not max. It shouldn't be drawing only 410mA when it's operating properly. Something that might cause the IC to blow would be incorrect biasing, meaning not following the MMIC biasing procedure. Let me know if you have some clarification on this.
Best,
Wes
Hi Wes,
In terms of the Bias Procedure, the standard Bias sequence procedure included included in the below link were followed.
I realize that the 410mA when testing on the bench is low, but even the 2 already in the field demonstrated the same current when tested. Granted the custom Power supply used in the unit is designed to offer up to 1A for all output pins.
Seeing how an almost similar issue occurred to the same IC amp on a similar board in a different unit, the consensus on our end was that there may have been a grounding issue during installation (RF board + PS + additional components in the unit).
In terms of the surge stopper recommendation, is there an option to connect that or add that to the RF amplifier circuit?
Best regards,
Tayeb
Analog's surge stoppers are generally geared towards high voltage applications, but this should fit your need. The current limit is set by the voltage on the SNS resistor. So say you wanted to limit at 500mA, R = .05V / .5A = 100mOhm SNS resistor.
https://www.analog.com/en/products/lt4363.html#product-overview
Thank you very much for your suggestion (I apologize for my late replay).
I was wondering if you knew of a similar analog surge stopper that requires at most 5V.
Thank you once again
Twahidi.
Thank you very much for your suggestion (I apologize for my late replay).
I was wondering if you knew of a similar analog surge stopper that requires at most 5V.
Thank you once again
Twahidi.
Hi,
I apologize for missing this during my recent relocation. For something more comfortable at low voltage you might consider using a simple current limiiting circuit why you control current by running input voltage through as resistor attached to the gate of a FET. This site does a good job explaining it:
Power Supply Current Limiter Circuits » Electronics Notes (electronics-notes.com)