BladeRF BT200 LNA

BladeRF BT200 LNA Bias-tee Low-Noise Amplifier

The BladeRF BT200 LNA is a bias-tee powered Low Noise Amplifier (RX) for the bladeRF 2.0 micro.

Key features:

• Features Mini-Circuits TSS-53LNB+ MMIC Low Noise Amplifier – 0.5GHz to 5GHz MMIC
• Power consumption: 300mW
• Green LED power indicator
• Ultra low Noise Figure
• Typ Gain: +20.2dB @ 200MHz, +16dB @ 2.4GHz
• LNA enters bypass mode when port is unpowered (4dB IL)

Kit contains:

• 1x BT-200 Bias-tee Low Noise Amplifier

Documentation:

• “Getting Started” Wiki page
• Schematic

Compatible with:

• bladeRF xA5 & bladeRF xA9
• Micro Enclosure
• Frequently Asked Questions

bladeRF-cli command:

• Enable module: set biastee rx on
• Disable module: set biastee rx off
• Query system power consumption: print hardware

The BladeRF BT-200 LNA is a wideband bias-tee RX Low Noise Amplifier that draws its current from the bladeRF 2.0 micro’s SMA connectors. The BT-200 is a compact LNA solution useful for substantially lowering the noise figure and substantially increasing dynamic range of most applications. bladeRF-cli and the libbladeRF API can be used to enable and disable the bias-tee when it is needed. Care should be taken to avoid overdrawing current when powering the bladeRF 2.0 micro from USB bus power and enabling multiple bias-tee amplifiers simultaneously. In case the power budget (print hardware in bladeRF-cli) is a concern, the bladeRF 2.0 micro can be powered by an external DC power supply.

NOTE: The BT-200 can only be plugged into the RX ports.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I tell if the LNA is enabled?
A green light will appear on the BT-200 if the program or tool you are using enables the bias-tee. In addition to the command line commands listed above, add “biastee=rx” to gr-osmosdr sink blocks to enable BT-200 from within GNU Radio.

How many BT modules can be added to the bladeRF 2.0 micro?
All 4 ports of the bladeRF 2.0 micro are powered, so any and all RF ports can have a bias-tee module installed and powered.