STMicroelectronics PD85015-E

Overview

PD85015-E from STMicroelectronics is a common-source, N-channel enhancement-mode lateral MOSFET RF power transistor designed for broadband high-gain amplification in commercial and industrial RF systems. It delivers 15 W output power with 16 dB gain at 870 MHz under 13.6 V supply, features ESD protection, operates up to 1 GHz, and uses ST's LDMOS technology in the PowerSO-10RF plastic SMD package.

For engineers reviewing the PD85015-E datasheet, PD85015-E pinout, PD85015-E application, or PD85015-E equivalent, this device is selected for RF power stages requiring stable gain, linearity, thermal robustness, and JEDEC-approved high-power SMD packaging - especially in automotive infotainment transmitters and base-station front-end modules.

Technical Context

The PD85015-E employs lateral double-diffused MOS (LDMOS) architecture optimized for RF power amplification in common-source configuration. Its static characteristics include VGS(Q) = 3.0–4.3 V at ID = 150 mA and low RDS(ON) of 0.34 V, while dynamic performance shows P3dB = 15–20 W and GP = 16 dB at 870 MHz with 13.6 V bias.

Thermal design is enabled by RthJC = 1.6 °C/W and TJ(max) = 165 °C, supporting continuous operation under high ambient conditions. Impedance data across 500–1000 MHz confirms broadband matching capability, with ZIN ranging from 0.536 − j2.968 Ω to 0.761 + j3.759 Ω and ZDL from 4.930 + j1.083 Ω to 2.534 − j1.085 Ω.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PD85015-E is housed in the PowerSO-10RF plastic package - ST's first JEDEC-approved high-power SMD RF package, featuring formed leads (gull-wing) for reflow compatibility and mechanical reliability. The package integrates thermal pad on underside for efficient heat transfer to PCB copper pour or heatsink.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar RF power amplifier applications.

Compared with MRF158 and PD57015-E, the PD85015-E offers optimal balance of SMT manufacturability, ESD resilience, and proven 15 W linearity for UHF automotive and industrial transmitters - making it preferred where board space, assembly yield, and thermal predictability are critical.

Availability

PD85015-E is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive FM transmitters, UHF wireless microphones, industrial remote control base stations, and land mobile radio repeaters requiring stable component supply and JEDEC-compliant SMT packaging.

Supply support for PD85015-E 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in power management, analog, MEMS, and microcontroller technologies for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The PD85015-E belongs to ST's LdmoST plastic RF power transistor family, engineered specifically for high-linearity, thermally robust, surface-mountable RF amplification in commercial and industrial UHF systems - not general-purpose switching.

FAQ

What is the recommended gate bias voltage for linear operation?

The PD85015-E achieves optimal linearity and gain at IDQ = 150 mA, corresponding to VGS(Q) = 3.0–4.3 V per datasheet Table 4. A fixed-voltage bias network using a 3.9 V Zener or precision reference is recommended to maintain consistent quiescent current across temperature and unit variation.

Can PD85015-E operate reliably at 1 GHz?

Yes - the datasheet specifies full dynamic characterization up to 1 GHz, including P3dB and gain data at 870 MHz and impedance parameters at 1000 MHz. Thermal derating is required above 870 MHz due to decreasing gain and efficiency, but 15 W output remains achievable with proper matching and heatsinking.

Is the PowerSO-10RF package lead-free and RoHS-compliant?

Yes - the PD85015-E is offered in ECOPACK®-compliant versions meeting the 2002/95/EC European directive (RoHS). The PowerSO-10RF package uses lead-free terminations and halogen-free molding compound, verified in ST's official ECOPACK documentation.

How does the 20:1 load mismatch tolerance impact real-world deployment?

This specification means the device sustains full 25 W output at 870 MHz into any complex load impedance (all phase angles) with VSWR ≤ 20:1 - protecting against antenna detuning, cable faults, or environmental changes without shutdown or degradation. It eliminates need for external circulators or VSWR-sensing protection circuits in field-deployed radios.