Plug-In 11-GHz LNA Module with Ground Plane Tuner

A tunable single-stage MESFET LNA plug-in module with a 2-dB noise figure and 10-dB gain becomes the front-end stage of mass produced low noise down-converters for the 10.7- to 11.7-GHz Digital Communication Systems. The LNA modules are tuned in a test receiver and then randomly inserted into down-converters to speed up production testing. Space feedback is used to enhance the LNA noise figure and gain.