NXP Semiconductors OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL

Overview

OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL from NXP Semiconductors is a customer evaluation kit designed for the BFU520XR, BFU530XR, and BFU550XR NPN wideband silicon RF transistors. It provides an unpopulated RF amplifier PCB with emitter degeneration, four SMA connectors, device samples, and a USB stick containing datasheets, S-parameter files, noise models, and application notes - enabling rapid prototyping of low-noise amplifiers up to 2 GHz.

For engineers reviewing the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL datasheet, OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL pinout, OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL application, or OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL equivalent, this kit supports design validation of ISM-band LNAs (433 MHz, 866 MHz, 900 MHz), broadband gain stages, and oscillator circuits using NXP's AEC-Q101-qualified BFU5 family RF transistors.

Technical Context

The OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL is not a semiconductor component but a hardware development tool. It implements a dual-stage, 50 Ω-matched RF amplifier topology with emitter degeneration, optimized for bias stability and noise performance across 433–1800 MHz. The board accommodates all three BFU5 variants via identical footprint and pin-compatible SOT143R mounting.

Design support includes full RF characterization data: measured S-parameters, noise parameters, SPICE and ADS models, and application notes AN11443 (433 MHz LNA) and AN11444 (866 MHz LNA). The kit enables empirical verification of key transistor specs including NFmin = 0.7 dB at 900 MHz, Gp(max) = 21.5 dB at 900 MHz, and fT = 11 GHz.

Key Specifications

Availability

OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for RF prototyping, ISM-band LNA development, and broadband amplifier validation requiring stable component supply and verified reference design assets.

Supply support for OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL 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 IoT applications.

The OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL belongs to NXP's RF transistor evaluation platform portfolio, developed to accelerate adoption of its BFU5 family - high-frequency, low-noise NPN silicon transistors targeting ISM-band infrastructure and wireless sensor nodes.

FAQ

What is the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL used for?

The OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL is a customer evaluation kit that provides an unpopulated RF amplifier PCB, SMA connectors, sample BFU520XR/BFU530XR/BFU550XR transistors, and supporting design files. It enables engineers to rapidly prototype and validate low-noise amplifier circuits using NXP's AEC-Q101-qualified BFU5 family RF transistors - specifically for ISM-band applications like 433 MHz and 866 MHz wireless links. The OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL is not a standalone IC but a hardware development tool.

Does the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL include populated components?

No, the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL ships as an unpopulated printed-circuit board with emitter degeneration layout, four SMA connectors for RF input/output and DC bias access, and no active or passive components pre-soldered. Users populate the board with provided BFU5 transistor samples and external matching components per their target frequency and gain/noise requirements. This flexibility allows tuning for specific ISM bands (e.g., 433 MHz or 866 MHz) using the application notes and S-parameter data included on the USB stick.

Which BFU5 transistors are supported by the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL?

The OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL is explicitly designed for the BFU520XR, BFU530XR, and BFU550XR - all NPN wideband silicon RF transistors in the SOT143R package. These devices share identical pinout, thermal footprint, and RF layout compatibility, allowing direct substitution on the same PCB. Key shared specs include fT = 11 GHz (BFU550XR), NFmin = 0.7 dB at 900 MHz (BFU550XR), and AEC-Q101 qualification. The OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL leverages this commonality to serve as a unified evaluation platform across the BFU5 family.

What design resources come with the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL?

The OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL includes a USB stick containing complete design resources: official NXP datasheets for BFU520XR/BFU530XR/BFU550XR; S-parameter (.s2p) and noise parameter (.np) files; Agilent ADS and SPICE models (Mextram and Gummel-Poon); and application notes AN11443 (433 MHz LNA) and AN11444 (866 MHz LNA). These files enable simulation, impedance matching, noise figure optimization, and layout verification before physical prototyping - directly supporting the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL's role as a validated starting point for RF amplifier design.

Can the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL be used for frequencies above 900 MHz?

Yes, the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL supports operation up to 1800 MHz, as confirmed by the BFU550XR's specified performance: Gp(max) = 15.5 dB and NFmin = 1.25 dB at 1800 MHz (IC = 25 mA, VCE = 8 V). The unpopulated PCB's 50 Ω transmission lines and SMA interface maintain integrity through this range, and application note guidance extends to 1800 MHz. Users must adjust external matching networks (e.g., inductors, capacitors) based on the provided S-parameters and noise models - a process validated in the OM7964/BFU5XXXRUL's intended use for broadband amplifier development.