NXP Semiconductors BF512,215
- Part No.:
- BF512,215
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- Single FETs, MOSFETs
- Package:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- Datasheet:
-
BF512,215.pdf
- Description:
- RF MOSFET JFET 10V SOT23
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,554
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Product details
Overview
BF512,215 from NXP Semiconductors is an asymmetrical N-channel planar epitaxial junction field-effect transistor (JFET) in SOT23 package, designed for RF amplification in mains-powered AM/FM radios. It delivers IDSS = 6 mA (typ), yfs ≥ 6 mS (at VDS = 10 V, ID = 5 mA), Crs = 0.3 pF (typ), and noise figure F = 1.5 dB at 100 MHz - enabling low-noise, high-gain front-end stages.
For engineers reviewing the BF512,215 datasheet, BF512,215 pinout, BF512,215 application, or BF512,215 equivalent, this discrete JFET is selected for stable RF gain in consumer broadcast receivers where low feedback capacitance and predictable transconductance at 5 mA bias are critical design requirements.
Technical Context
The BF512,215 operates as a common-source RF amplifier with fixed-current biasing (ID = 5 mA typical), requiring VGS ≈ −2.2 V (V(P)GS typ) to achieve specified transfer admittance and noise performance. Its asymmetrical junction structure minimizes Crs while maintaining adequate IDSS headroom for mains-radio IF/RF stages.
Thermal design relies on ceramic substrate mounting (8 mm × 10 mm × 0.7 mm), yielding Rth j-a = 430 K/W; power derating begins above Tamb = 40 °C, limiting Ptot to 250 mW. Dynamic parameters - including gis = 60 µS and yfs = 5.0 mS at 100 MHz - confirm suitability for VHF-band amplification up to ~150 MHz.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| IDSS | 6 mA (typ) - sets DC operating point for RF gain stability in mains-radio tuners |
| yfs (1 kHz) | ≥6 mS - ensures high small-signal transconductance for >20 dB voltage gain at IF frequencies |
| Crs | 0.3 pF (typ) - minimizes Miller effect and maintains bandwidth in common-source configurations |
| Noise figure | 1.5 dB (typ, 100 MHz) - meets low-noise requirement for AM/FM front-end amplification |
| V(P)GS | −2.2 V (typ) - defines gate bias voltage needed to set ID = 5 mA in linear operation |
| Ptot | 250 mW (up to Tamb = 40 °C) - constrains thermal layout to ceramic substrates for reliability |
| Rth j-a | 430 K/W - mandates heatsinking via PCB copper pour or ceramic carrier for continuous operation |
Pinout & Package
Package: SOT23 (TO-236AB), plastic surface-mounted, 3-lead miniature envelope per IEC 60134; dimensions: D = 2.8 mm, E = 1.4 mm, Lp = 1.2 mm, bp = 0.48 mm.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gate | High-impedance control terminal; requires DC blocking and bias network (e.g., source degeneration resistor) |
| 2 | Drain | RF output node; connects to tuned collector load or next-stage input via coupling capacitor |
| 3 | Source | Common reference; typically grounded via RF choke or bypassed to ground for AC signal return |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Low feedback capacitance | Crs = 0.3 pF enables stable >100 MHz gain without neutralization in simple amplifier topologies |
| Low noise figure | F = 1.5 dB at 100 MHz supports high-SNR reception in mains-powered broadcast receivers |
| Asymmetrical junction design | Optimizes trade-off between IDSS headroom and Crs for fixed-bias RF amplifiers |
| SOT23 packaging | Enables compact hybrid thick/thin-film circuit integration with standardized pick-and-place handling |
| Specified at ID = 5 mA | Guarantees yfs ≥ 6 mS and F = 1.5 dB under realistic operating conditions for radio IF stages |
Applications
| AM/FM Mains Radio RF Amplifier | FM Broadcast Tuner Front-End |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Amplifying weak antenna signals in domestic tabletop radios powered from AC mains. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: N-channel JFET used as common-source RF preamplifier in the first stage after antenna input. Use Value: IDSS = 6 mA and yfs ≥ 6 mS deliver consistent 15–20 dB gain across 88–108 MHz band with minimal added noise. |
Use Scenario: Signal conditioning in analog FM tuner modules before mixer and IF stages. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-Crs JFET providing broadband amplification with stable bias at ID = 5 mA. Use Value: Crs = 0.3 pF prevents self-oscillation and preserves selectivity when driving high-impedance LC tank circuits. |
| Medium-Wave AM Receiver IF Stage | Hybrid Thin-Film RF Module |
|
Use Scenario: Intermediate-frequency amplification in 455 kHz AM receiver designs using discrete passive filters. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Voltage-controlled current source in tuned transformer-coupled IF amplifier. Use Value: V(P)GS = −2.2 V (typ) allows precise DC bias setting with single-resistor source degeneration for gain linearity. |
Use Scenario: Integration into custom hybrid circuits combining thin-film resistors/capacitors with discrete active devices. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Surface-mount JFET mounted on ceramic substrate with metallized traces. Use Value: SOT23 footprint and Rth j-a = 430 K/W support reliable thermal coupling to 8 mm × 10 mm ceramic carriers. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RF JFET amplifier applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| BF511,215 | IDSS = 2.5 mA (typ), yfs ≥ 4 mS, V(P)GS = −1.5 V (typ) - lower gain and earlier pinch-off | Better suited for car radio RF stages with tighter supply constraints and lower bias current | Select BF511,215 only if system-level gain budget allows ≤12 dB and bias network must operate below −1.5 V |
| BF513,215 | IDSS = 10 mA (typ), yfs ≥ 7 mS, Crs = 0.3 pF, F = 1.5 dB - higher drive capability but increased power demand | Preferred for mixer-stage applications requiring higher transconductance and intermodulation resilience | Choose BF513,215 when designing active mixers needing >7 mS yfs and can sustain 10 mA ID quiescent current |
Compared with BF511,215 and BF513,215, the BF512,215 provides the optimal balance of gain (yfs ≥ 6 mS), noise (1.5 dB), and bias current (5 mA) specifically for mains-powered AM/FM radio RF amplifiers - avoiding overdesign or insufficient headroom.
Availability
BF512,215 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for AM/FM mains radios, broadcast tuner modules, and hybrid RF amplifier designs requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle support for legacy consumer electronics.
Supply support for BF512,215 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
NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company delivering high-performance mixed-signal and standard products, with leadership in RF, analog, and interface technologies.
The BF512,215 belongs to NXP's legacy RF JFET family targeting discrete VHF amplifier applications in consumer broadcast equipment - engineered for low-noise, low-Crs performance in cost-sensitive, non-automotive radio systems.
FAQ
What is the maximum drain-source voltage rating for BF512,215?
The BF512,215 has a maximum drain-source voltage (VDS) rating of 20 V, as defined in its Absolute Maximum Ratings table. This limit applies under all operating conditions and must not be exceeded to prevent permanent device damage. The BF512,215 is intended for low-voltage RF amplifier use in mains-radio circuits where supply rails remain well below this threshold, typically operating at VDS = 10 V per specification.
Does BF512,215 require external biasing components, and if so, what are the key values?
Yes, the BF512,215 requires external biasing: a source resistor (typically 470 Ω to 1 kΩ) sets ID ≈ 5 mA, leveraging its V(P)GS = −2.2 V (typ). A gate return resistor (1–10 MΩ) stabilizes DC potential, and RF chokes or capacitors isolate AC paths. These values ensure operation within the yfs ≥ 6 mS and F = 1.5 dB specifications confirmed for BF512,215 in the datasheet.
Is BF512,215 suitable for automotive applications?
No, BF512,215 is not automotive-qualified. The NXP datasheet explicitly states that unless otherwise designated, products like BF512,215 are non-automotive qualified and neither tested nor warranted for automotive use. Its thermal and reliability specifications - including Rth j-a = 430 K/W and Tj max = 150 °C - are validated for consumer mains-radio environments, not automotive temperature or qualification cycles.
How does the Crs value of BF512,215 impact circuit stability at VHF frequencies?
The BF512,215 exhibits Crs = 0.3 pF (typ) at VDS = 10 V and ID = 5 mA, directly reducing Miller multiplication in common-source amplifiers. This low feedback capacitance enables unconditional stability up to 150 MHz without neutralization networks - a key enabler for simple, low-cost RF amplifier designs in FM broadcast receivers where the BF512,215 is specified.
What is the recommended PCB mounting method for BF512,215 to maintain thermal performance?
BF512,215 must be mounted on a ceramic substrate measuring 8 mm × 10 mm × 0.7 mm, as specified in the Thermal Resistance note. This mounting method achieves Rth j-a = 430 K/W. Standard FR-4 PCBs without thermal vias or copper pours will exceed thermal limits; the BF512,215 datasheet does not validate alternative substrates, and deviation risks junction overheating above Tamb = 40 °C.
BF512,215 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Technology:
- JFET
- Configuration:
- N-Channel
- Frequency:
- 100MHz
- Gain:
- -
- Voltage - Test:
- 10 V
- Current Rating (Amps):
- 30mA
- Noise Figure:
- 1.5dB
- Current - Test:
- 5 mA
- Power - Output:
- -
- Voltage - Rated:
- 20 V
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- SOT-23 (TO-236AB)
BF512,215 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BF512,215 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BF512,215 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for BF512,215 reliable?
The price and inventory of BF512,215 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BF512,215 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BF512,215?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BF512,215 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BF512,215?
BF512,215 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BF512,215 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for BF512,215?
For technical support, including BF512,215 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BF512,215 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BF512,215 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BF512,215 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that BF512,215 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BF512,215?
All BF512,215 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BF512,215, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The BF512,215 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BF512,215:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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