NXP Semiconductors BFR92A,215

Overview

BFR92A,215 from NXP Semiconductors is an NPN silicon RF transistor in SOT23 package, designed for wideband amplification up to 5 GHz. It delivers 14 dB maximum unilateral power gain at 1 GHz, 2.1 dB noise figure at 1 GHz (IC = 5 mA, VCE = 10 V), and supports 150 mV output voltage under MATV intermodulation test conditions. It is used in RF front-end stages of terrestrial TV tuners and broadband CATV line amplifiers.

For engineers reviewing the BFR92A,215 datasheet, BFR92A,215 pinout, BFR92A,215 application, or BFR92A,215 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 5 GHz fT, low 0.35 pF feedback capacitance, SOT23 thermal resistance of 260 K/W, and verified performance in 75 Ω MATV signal paths with −50 dB second-order intermodulation distortion.

Technical Context

The BFR92A,215 operates as a common-emitter NPN RF amplifier with optimized high-frequency small-signal characteristics. Its design targets stable gain and low noise in 75 Ω impedance environments, evidenced by S-parameters measured at IC = 14 mA, VCE = 10 V, and Tamb = 25 °C across 100–1200 MHz.

It features a fixed bias configuration requiring external base resistor networks, exhibits hFE = 65–135 at IC = 15 mA, and maintains thermal stability via SOT23 solder-point thermal resistance (Rth j-s = 260 K/W) with Ts ≤ 95 °C derating per Fig.3.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SOT23 - surface-mount plastic package with 3 leads, 1.4 mm body width, 2.8 mm length, and 1.2 mm height; marked "P2%" on top surface.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar NPN RF transistor applications.

Compared with BFR92A,215, BFR93A,215 offers higher bandwidth but marginally worse noise performance, while MRF901BL trades surface-mount compatibility for higher power handling and through-hole assembly - neither is pin-compatible, requiring layout revision.

Availability

BFR92A,215 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for terrestrial TV tuners, CATV line amplifiers, and UHF wireless microphone receivers requiring stable component supply and consistent RF performance across production batches.

Supply support for BFR92A,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 headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.

The BFR92A,215 belongs to NXP's legacy RF transistor product line targeting analog broadband signal amplification in broadcast and wired communication infrastructure, with emphasis on MATV/TV tuner performance metrics.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the BFR92A,215?

The BFR92A,215 has a transition frequency (f_T) of 5 GHz, confirmed under IC = 15 mA, VCE = 10 V, and f = 500 MHz test conditions. This specifies its usable small-signal amplification bandwidth limit; actual stable gain extends to ~2 GHz (G_UM = 8 dB), making it suitable for UHF TV and MATV applications up to 862 MHz with design margin.

Does the BFR92A,215 require external biasing components?

Yes, the BFR92A,215 is a discrete NPN transistor requiring external DC biasing. The datasheet specifies typical operation at IC = 15 mA and VCE = 10 V, achieved using resistive base bias networks. No integrated bias circuitry exists - designers must calculate R_B based on hFE (65–135) and target collector current, as shown in standard common-emitter configurations.

What is the thermal resistance of the BFR92A,215 and how does it affect layout?

The BFR92A,215 has a junction-to-soldering-point thermal resistance (R_{th j-s}) of 260 K/W, measured with Ts ≤ 95 °C. This value mandates direct thermal connection of the collector (Pin 3) to a copper pour or thermal pad on the PCB. Layouts must avoid isolation of Pin 3 and follow SOT23 footprint guidelines in Fig.9 of the datasheet to sustain 300 mW total power dissipation.

How does the BFR92A,215 perform in intermodulation tests?

The BFR92A,215 achieves −50 dB second-order intermodulation distortion (d₂) in the MATV test circuit (Fig.2) at VO = 60 mV, fp + fq = 810 MHz, and IC = 14 mA. This result validates its suitability for multi-channel cable TV systems where spectral purity is critical, and matches DIN 45004B measurement standards referenced in the datasheet.

Is the BFR92A,215 pin-compatible with the PNP complement BFT92?

No, the BFR92A,215 and BFT92 are functional complements (NPN vs. PNP) but not pin-compatible. The BFR92A,215 uses Pin 1 = Base, Pin 2 = Emitter, Pin 3 = Collector; the BFT92 uses Pin 1 = Emitter, Pin 2 = Base, Pin 3 = Collector per its datasheet. Substituting one for the other requires full schematic and layout revision due to reversed polarity and terminal assignment.