Analog Devices Inc. ADPA1106-EVALZ

Overview

ADPA1106-EVALZ from Analog Devices is an evaluation board designed to characterize the ADPA1106 GaN power amplifier - a 46 dBm (40 W), 2.7–3.5 GHz RF device operating under pulsed gate or pulsed drain bias. It features a 2-layer Rogers 4350B PCB mounted on an aluminum heat spreader, end-launch SMA RF connectors (RFIN/RFOUT), and through-calibration path between J5/J6 for trace loss compensation.

For engineers reviewing the ADPA1106-EVALZ datasheet, ADPA1106-EVALZ pinout, ADPA1106-EVALZ application, or ADPA1106-EVALZ equivalent, this board supports gate-pulsed and drain-pulsed RF power amplifier evaluation with calibrated 50 Ω coplanar waveguide routing, dual 24-pin headers (P4/P5) for bias/control, and integrated detector output (VDET/VDET_BIAS) for real-time monitoring of amplifier performance.

Technical Context

The ADPA1106-EVALZ implements a thermally robust RF evaluation platform centered on the ADPA1106ACGZN GaN HEMT die. Its Rogers 4350B substrate ensures stable high-frequency impedance control, while the aluminum heat spreader provides mechanical rigidity and thermal dissipation during pulsed operation at up to 50 V drain supply and 300 mA quiescent current.

Two operational modes are supported: gate-pulsed mode (−4 V to −2.3 V on VGG1/VGG2) and drain-pulsed mode using the included 50 V pulser board with BSC340N08NS3 MOSFET and LTC7000 driver. The board includes dedicated calibration path (J5–J6), detector biasing (VDET_BIAS), reference voltage generation (VREF/VREF_BIAS), and ground-isolated RF paths with >20 vias beneath the exposed paddle for low-inductance grounding.

Key Specifications

Availability

ADPA1106-EVALZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for RF power amplifier development, GaN device characterization, and pulsed RF system validation requiring stable component supply, calibrated test infrastructure, and thermal-aware evaluation platforms.

Supply support for ADPA1106-EVALZ includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Analog Devices, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and RF ICs, serving communications, industrial, automotive, and defense markets with precision signal processing solutions.

The ADPA1106-EVALZ belongs to Analog Devices' RF Power Amplifier Evaluation Platform product line, engineered specifically to accelerate development and validation of high-power GaN amplifiers in radar, EW, and broadband wireless infrastructure applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the ADPA1106-EVALZ?

The ADPA1106-EVALZ is an evaluation board for the ADPA1106ACGZN GaN power amplifier. It provides a fully assembled, calibrated, and thermally managed platform to evaluate RF performance-including gain, output power, and efficiency-under both gate-pulsed and drain-pulsed bias conditions across 2.7–3.5 GHz. The ADPA1106-EVALZ includes SMA RF ports, bias headers, detector outputs, and a through-calibration path to support accurate measurement setup.

Does the ADPA1106-EVALZ include the ADPA1106 amplifier IC?

Yes, the ADPA1106-EVALZ evaluation board is populated with the ADPA1106ACGZN GaN power amplifier in its production package. The board also ships with a separate 50 V drain pulser board that plugs into P4 and P5 headers to enable pulsed drain operation. The ADPA1106-EVALZ is not a bare PCB-it is a complete, ready-to-use evaluation system for the ADPA1106 device.

What RF frequency range does the ADPA1106-EVALZ support?

The ADPA1106-EVALZ is optimized for the ADPA1106's specified operating band: 2.7 GHz to 3.5 GHz. Its Rogers 4350B PCB, 50 Ω grounded coplanar waveguide routing, and SMA edge-launch connectors maintain impedance integrity and low loss across this band-and extend usable calibration capability up to 10 GHz via the J5–J6 through path, as verified in UG-2037.

How is thermal management handled on the ADPA1106-EVALZ?

The ADPA1106-EVALZ uses a 10 mil Rogers 4350B PCB bonded directly to an aluminum heat spreader (2.51″ × 1.91″). This structure conducts heat from the ADPA1106ACGZN's exposed paddle through multiple vias into the spreader, which can be bolted to an external heatsink or clamped between hot/cold plates. Thermal relief is integral to safe pulsed operation at 46 dBm output power.

Can the ADPA1106-EVALZ operate without the included drain pulser board?

Yes - the ADPA1106-EVALZ supports standalone gate-pulsed operation. Engineers can apply −4 V (off) to −2.3 V (on) pulses directly to VGG1/VGG2 pins via P4 header while holding VDD1/VDD2 constant at 50 V. The board includes all necessary decoupling, grounding, and detector circuitry to function independently; the drain pulser board is optional hardware for drain-pulsed mode only.