Overview

Description

The F6506 is an 8-channel active beamforming IC (BFIC) designed for transmit (Tx) applications in K-band planar phased array antennas. In a typical configuration, eight output channels drive four dual-polarized antenna elements, while two common beam inputs allow for independent beam steering of vertical and horizontal polarizations.

Each channel of the IC has independent 6 bits of digital phase control covering 360° and 30.5dB of gain control with a step size of 0.484dB. Low RMS gain and phase errors enable precise amplitude and phase adjustment for gain compensation between channels and beam pattern control.

The F6506 SPI bus operates up to 65MHz and includes features for fast beam coefficient loading and rapid array-level beam switching. Up to 16 devices can be supported on the same SPI bus using dedicated address pins. The digital core and SPI use a 1.8V supply generated by an on-chip LDO.

Features

  • 19.7 – 22.7 GHz operation
  • 8 radiation channels
  • 360° phase control with 6-bit resolution
  • 30.5dB gain control with 0.484dB minimum step
  • 30dB gain
  • 16dBm output P1dB
  • 2.5V nominal single supply input
  • Standard 1.8V digital logic
  • Integrated temperature sensor and power detector
  • Advanced digital modes with fast beam steering
  • 2048 on-chip programmable beam-state memory
  • -40 to +95°C operating temperature
  • Dedicated PA supply voltage +2.4V to 2.6V
  • 5.1 × 5.1 × 0.8 mm 118-pin FCCSP package

Comparison

Applications

Applications

  • K-Band SATCOM & Radar

Documentation

Type Title Date
Datasheet Log in to Download PDF 2.66 MB
Guide PDF 2.24 MB
Manual - Hardware Log in to Download PDF 2.43 MB
Report Log in to Download PDF 69 KB
Product Brief PDF 1.08 MB
Product Brief PDF 728 KB
6 items

Design & Development

Software & Tools

Software Downloads

Type Title Date
Software & Tools - Other Log in to Download ZIP 469 KB
Software & Tools - Evaluation Software Log in to Download ZIP 4.81 MB
2 items

Boards & Kits

Models

Videos & Training

Active Beamforming ICs and LNAs for Satcom and Radar Phased Array Antennas

An overview of the next-generation portfolio of active beamforming solutions with lowest NF and power consumption for Satcom and Radar antennas.