SHF Communication Technologies AG
Wilhelm-von-Siemens-Str. 23D • 12277 Berlin • Germany
Phone +49 30 772 051-0 • Fax +49 30 753 10 78
E-Mail: sales@shf-communication.com • Web: www.shf-communication.com

Datasheet
SHF M803 A
Linear Broadband Amplifier

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Description
The SHF M803 A is a RoHS compliant broadband RF amplifier with a small footprint, 22 dB small signal
gain and a bandwidth of more than 55 GHz. The SHF M803 A is well suited as a receiver amplifier forhigh speed NRZ and PAM-4 applications. Additionally, the 11 dBm (2.2 V) P1dB of the amplifier also
makes it well suited as a linear driver for high speed EA modulators, as well as VCSELs and DFB lasers
where the drive requirement is lower than that typically required for MZ modulators.
The M803 A is a two-stage amplifier design, using proprietary monolithic microwave integrated circuits(MMICs) inside special carriers to achieve ultra-wide bandwidth and low noise performance. An internalvoltage regulation protects the amplifier against accidental reverse voltage connection and makes it
robust against line voltage ripple.

Ease of Use
Only a single 6 V supply is needed for operation.
Upon delivery, the amplifier is already set to deliver maximum gain and 50% crossing. For operation
under these conditions the appropriate pins can be left floating. However, in case gain and crossing
shall be modified, this can be done just by applying another bias. For more detailed information see
page 12.

Available Options

1101:

DC return on input (max. ±1.75 V, max. 35 mA)

02:

Built-in bias tee on input (max. ±9 V, max. 200 mA)

03:

DC return on output (max. ±1.75 V, max. 35 mA)

04:

Built-in bias tee on output (max. ±8 V, max. 200 mA)

MP:

Matches the phase of two amplifiers

1

1
1

The options 01 & 02 or 03 & 04 cannot be combined.
If an option is chosen, the maximum gain and the maximum output power might be reduced by up to 1 dB. The low frequency 3 dB point might beincreased up to 100 kHz. The DC resistance of a bias tee is about 6 Ω.

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Specifications - SHF M803 A
Parameter

UnitSymbol

MinTypMax

Conditions

Maximum RF Input
in Operation

dBm
VPin max

4
1

peak to peak voltage

Maximum RF Input
without Power SupplydBm
V

Pin max

102peak to peak voltage

DC Voltage at RF Input

V±9AC coupled input

DC Voltage at RF Output

V±8AC coupled output

Positive Supply Voltage

V5.767

Gain Control Voltage

V-6-5…0+6will not exceed 0.02 A

Crossing Control Voltage

V-6-5…+5+6

will not exceed 0.02 A

104055Absolute Maximum Ratings

Case Temperature

22Tcase°Cmax. 0.3 A
reverse voltage protected

If operated with heat sink (part of the delivery) at room temperature there is no need for additional cooling.

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Specifications – SHF M803 A
Parameter

UnitSymbolMinTypMax

Conditions

Electrical Characteristics (At 40°C case temperature, unless otherwise specified)High Frequency 3 dB Point

GHzfHIGH

55

Low Frequency 3 dB Point

kHzfLOW

Gain

dB

S21

Max. Gain ReductiondB

Output Power at 1 dB
Compression

dBm
V

P01dB

112.2

10 MHz…25 GHz

Output Power at 2 dB
Compression

dBm
V

P02dB

132.8

10 MHz…25GHz

Output Power at 3 dB
Compression

dBm
V

P03dB

153.5

10 MHz…25 GHz

Max. RF Input for Linear
OperationdBm
V

Pin lin

Crossing Control
Range%

Input ReflectiondB

Output Reflection

dB90
21222.53

non-inverting
measured at Pin=-30 dBm

4peak to peak voltage

peak to peak voltage

peak to peak voltage-110.18-4

I.e. Pout ≤ P01dB
peak to peak voltage

4please see page 12S11-9-3< 30 GHzS22-9-3< 40 GHz< 55 GHz< 55 GHz
20%...80%, 2 V ≤ Vout ≤ 2.5 V

Rise Time/Fall Time

pstr/tf

712

Deconvoluted

3,43Full Setup

2 V ≤ Vout ≤ 2.5 VJitterfs

Group Delay Ripple

psPower Consumption

W

34JRMS

350
500

1.5

3,4500600

Deconvoluted±50

40 MHz…40 GHz, 160 MHz aperture

Full Setup

36 V supply voltage

Measured with the following setup: SHF 613 A DAC -> DUT (SHF M803 A) -> Agilent 86100C with 70 GHz sampling head and precision time base.
Calculation based on typical results of setup without DUT :𝑡𝑟 /𝑡𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑑 = √(𝑡𝑟 /𝑡𝑓 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑝 )2 − (𝑡𝑟 /𝑡𝑓 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑝 𝑤/𝑜 𝐷𝑈𝑇 )2 = √(𝑡𝑟 /𝑡𝑓 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑝 )2 − 11 𝑝𝑠 2
2𝐽𝑅𝑀𝑆 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑑 = √(𝐽𝑅𝑀𝑆 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑝 )2 − (𝐽𝑅𝑀𝑆 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑝 𝑤/𝑜 𝐷𝑈𝑇 ) = √(𝐽𝑅𝑀𝑆 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑝 )2 − 350 𝑓𝑠 2

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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ParameterUnitSymbol

MinTypMaxConditions

Mechanical Characteristics
5Input ConnectorΩ50

1.85 mm (V) female

Output ConnectorΩ50

1.85 mm (V) maleDimensions

mmWeightg5

please see pages 14 and 15

2052

without heatsink
with heatsink

5

Other gender configurations are available on request.
Other connector types, e.g. 2.92mm (K) or Mini-SMP (GPPO) connectors, are also available but may impact the bandwidth and reflection
characteristic.

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Typical S-Parameters, Group Delay and Phase Response

Aperture of group delay measurement: 160 MHz

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Typical Noise Figure
The measurement had been performed using a FSW85 Spectrum Analyzer by Rhode & Schwarz. The
noise figure defines the degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio when the signal passes the amplifier. An
ideal amplifier would amplify the noise at its input along with the signal. However, a real amplifier adds
some extra noise from its own components and degrades the signal-to-noise ratio. Please note that thisapplies to small signals only. When the amplifier is used close to or in its saturation region additional
non-linear effects will impact the signal-to-noise ratio and the signal waveform.

1098Noise Figure [dB]765432
100

510

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Frequency [GHz]SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Typical Binary Waveforms
Measurements had been performed using a SHF 613 A DAC and an Agilent 86100C DCA withPrecision Time Base Module (86107A) and 70 GHz Sampling Head (86118A).
The measurement at ~2.7 V will be part of the inspection report delivered with each particular device.

Eye Amplitude: Input ~200 mV ⇒ Output ~2.7 V

Input Signal @ 56 Gbps

Output Signal @ 56 Gbps

Eye Amplitude: Input ~65 mV ⇒ Output ~900 mV

Input Signal @ 56 Gbps

Output Signal @ 56 Gbps

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Typical Binary Waveforms
Measurements had been performed using a SHF 603 A MUX and an Agilent 86100C DCA withPrecision Time Base Module (86107A) and 70 GHz Sampling Head (86118A).

Eye Amplitude: Input ~440 mV ⇒ Output ~3.7 V

Input Signal @ 60 Gbps

Output Signal @ 60 Gbps

Input Signal @ 80 Gbps

Output Signal @ 80 Gbps

Input Signal @ 100 Gbps

Output Signal @ 100 Gbps

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Typical 4-Level Waveforms
Measurements had been performed using a SHF 613 A DAC and an Agilent 86100C DCA withPrecision Time Base Module (86107A) and 70 GHz Sampling Head (86118A).
The measurement at ~2.7 V will be part of the inspection report delivered with each particular device.

Eye Amplitude: Input ~200 mV ⇒ Output ~2.7 V

Input Signal @ 56 GBaud

Output Signal @ 56 GBaud

Eye Amplitude: Input ~65 mV ⇒ Output ~900 mV

Input Signal @ 56 GBaud

Output Signal @ 56 GBaud

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Typical 4-Level Waveforms
Measurements had been performed using a SHF 616 A DAC and an Agilent 86100C DCA withPrecision Time Base Module (86107A) and 70 GHz Sampling Head (86118A). 0.5 m Totoku TCF280QR
between DUT and Sampling Head.

Eye Amplitude: Input ~180 mV ⇒ Output ~2.2 V

Input Signal @ 60 GBaud

Output Signal @ 60 GBaud

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Handling Instructions
To operate the amplifier a positive supply voltage of approximately +6 V must be applied.
The gain can be adjusted by applying a voltage of 0 to -5 V. If this pin is left open, the amplifier will havemaximum gain. By reducing the gain the crossing will shift. Typical characteristics are shown in thefollowing diagram for an input voltage of 0.15 V with 50% crossing.

642

Gain [dB]0-2

Crossing shift[%]-4-60-1-2-3-4-5

Gain Control Voltage [V]The crossing can be adjusted by applying a voltage of -5 to +5 V. If this pin is left open a crossing ofapproximately 50 % is achieved. The range depends on the input voltage. Typical characteristics areshown in the following diagram for input voltages of 0.05, 0.15 and 0.25 V with 50% crossing.

65

Crossing [%]60550.05 V500.15 V

450.25 V

4035-505

Crossing Control Voltage [V]SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Typical Low Frequency Response (<40 MHz)

Typical Saturation power

Top (red): 3 dB compression;
Middle (green): 2 dB compression;
Bottom (blue): 1 dB compression

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Mechanical Drawing with Heat Sink
2xm
5m
4x
M

34

6.5

10.6
9.5

46

5.6

1.7

24

90kHz - 55GHz
P03dB: 15dBm

22dB

44970

nc

SHF M803 A+6V
0.3A

9.4

Gain
0 ... -5V2Crossing-5V ... +5V

9.3

10.5
20.4

55
30.4
20.4
10.5

2714.410.6
9.5

5.6

All dimensions in mm

Pin assignment might change if a bias tee option is chosen.
For permanent mounting remove the heat sink from the amplifier. In that case please ensure that
adequate cooling of the amplifier is guaranteed. It is recommended to use thermal paste or a thermal
gap pad for the mounting. In order to separate the heat sink from the amplifier, remove the four screws
on the heat sink. Please note, thermal paste is used between the heat sink and the amplifier housing.

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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Mechanical Drawing without Heat Sink
4x13.6m5m2x
M

4.62

9.8
6.1
520

2.2

1822dB

44970

90kHz - 55GHz
P03dB: 15dBm

nc

SHF M803 ACrossing-5V ... +5V+6V
0.3A

4.6

12.4

Gain
0 ... -5V

512.3

4.7

7.1
1727
177.1

6.1
52.2

All dimensions in mm

Pin assignment might change if a bias tee option is chosen.
Please ensure that adequate cooling of the amplifier is guaranteed.

SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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User Instructions
ATTENTION!
Electrostatic sensitive GaAs FET amplifier1.

To prevent damage through static charge build up, cables should be always discharged before
connecting them to the amplifier!

2.

Attach a 50 Ohm output load before supplying DC power to the amplifier!

3.

The supply voltage can be taken from any regular 5.7…7.0 V, 0.3 A DC power supply and can beconnected to the supply feed-through filter via an ON / OFF switch.
In case 6 V are applied to the amplifier typically 0.3 A are drawn during operation. However, theamplifier requires more current during start up. This is particularly important in case the current
compliance of a very fast acting voltage source is set too tight. As this can prevent the amplifier fromstarting properly, please allow up to 100% overhead for your current compliance during startup.

4.

Using a 3 dB or 6 dB input attenuator will result in a 6 dB or 12 dB increase of the input return loss. For
minimal degradation of amplifier rise time, these attenuators should have a bandwidth specification ofgreater 50 GHz (V/ 1.85mm attenuators)!

5.

An input signal of about 0.35 Vpp will produce saturated output swing of about 3.5 Vpp. Higher input
voltages are leading to waveform degradation.

6.

The amplifier can only be used without damage by connecting a 50 Ohm precision load to the output.

7.

ATTENTION: At radio frequencies a capacitive load can be transformed to an inductive one throughtransmission lines! With an output stage driven into saturation this may lead to the immediate
destruction of the amplifier (within a few ps)!

8.

The input voltage should never be greater than 1 Vpp equivalent to 4 dBm input power.
The input voltage without DC power supplied to the amplifier should never be greater than 2 V pp
equivalent to 10 dBm input power.

9.

For the DC-connections flexible cable 0.2…0.5 mm / AWG 24…20 are recommended. A maximum
soldering temperature of 260 °C for 3 seconds is recommended for the feedthrough. The ground pin
requires significantly more heat as it is connected to the solid housing.

2SHF reserves the right to change specifications and design without notice - SHF M803 A - V003 - Nov 11, 2021

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