Hello,
I'm looking for suggestions on ways to implement a RF amplification frontend section capable of handling the widest range of input powers without melting, and still be budget-friendly ($ <10).
The output should be in the -25 to 0 dBm range, frequency 600-6000 MHz (or thereabouts). The input should be as small as -90 dBm, meaning that I need 65-85 dB of switchable amplification. At the end of the switchable amplification chain I will have a RF limiter diode, so it's fine if it goes above the 0 dB target. The objective is however not to damage the gain circuit during operation.
Assuming the first stage is a 15 dB LNA from a different vendor, I need 50-70 dB of switchable gain.
The TRF37D73 range of parts seems to be what I need, and I could get around the part not being 50 Ohm matched in shutdown mode by using a series of inexpensive SP2T switches, however as per specs the amplifier goes into saturation at 16.5 dBm output and can only allow inputs up to 10 dBm, so the cascaded parts are going to damage themselves during operation, particularly so if I put 4x TRF37D73 one after the other.
Ideas?
