Radio frequency (RF) and microwave amplifiers provide their best performance under specific bias conditions. The quiescent current established by the bias point affects critical performance metrics such as linearity and efficiency. While some amplifiers are self biased, many devices require external biasing using multiple supplies that must be sequenced properly for safe operation.
This application note provides an overview of bias sequencing requirements and the effects of using various bias conditions. It presents an elegant solution for biasing amplifiers using active bias controller such as the HMC980, HMC980LP4E, HMC981, HMC981LP3E, HMC920LP5E, and all externally biased RF/microwave amplifiers.
Related Content

Highly Integrated Transceiver with RF Front End Reduces Design Time & Resources
Richardson RFPD engineers and others have teamed with Analog Devices to introduce a new, highly integrated transceiver and have built SoMs and RF front ends to interface with it.

Next-Generation Military Communications Challenges
The next generation of MILCOM platforms will need to leverage more modern communication technologies that have been developed to enable commercial platforms such as cell phones and Wi-Fi.

Fast switching, High Performance PLL and Quadband VCO Frequency Synthesizer
Circuits from the Lab® reference designs are engineered and tested for quick and easy system integration to help solve today’s analog, mixed-signal, and RF design challenges.