Amplifier

RF and microwave amplifiers are active components that increase signal power along a transmission or receive path. Where passive components like power dividers and attenuators distribute or reduce signal levels, amplifiers restore or boost them. The right amplifier for any application comes down to three competing priorities: noise figure, linearity, and bandwidth. Getting all three right simultaneously is what separates a precision RF amplifier from a generic gain block.

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Octave Band, Special Band, Multi Band and Ultra Wide-Band Models Available

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Light Weight, Compact, High Reliability

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Low to High Power Solutions

Noise figure sets the floor. Every amplifier adds some noise to the signal it processes, and the noise figure quantifies how much. In a receive chain, the noise figure of the first gain stage, typically a low noise amplifier (LNA), sets the system’s sensitivity floor through the Friis cascade formula. A 1 dB improvement in noise figure at the front end can be worth more than 10 dB of gain added later in the chain.

Linearity sets the ceiling. As input power increases, an amplifier eventually stops responding proportionally and begins to compress. The 1 dB compression point (P1dB) and output third-order intercept point (OIP3) define where that nonlinear behavior begins. In the presence of multiple input signals, intermodulation distortion (IMD) products appear at frequencies close to the desired signal, potentially causing interference. Specifying adequate OIP3 keeps those products below the noise floor.

Bandwidth determines range. Different amplifier topologies trade bandwidth for noise or linearity performance. Ultra-broadband designs cover wide spans with relatively flat gain, while narrowband designs optimize noise figure and gain within a specific frequency segment.

MCLI offers RF and microwave amplifiers spanning a range of frequency bands and performance categories, including ultra low noise, GPS band, limiting, and ultra-broadband models, for use in defense, communications, instrumentation, and research applications.

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Power > (PA Series)

0.005 - 19.7 GHz

0.1-5.0 A

Low Noise > (LNA Series)

0.5 - 18.0 GHz

DC Current 0.15-3.2 A

Ultra Low Noise > (UA Series)

1.0 - 2.9 GHz

0.06-0.12 A

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Showing all 65 results

Part #	Frequency Range (GHz)		Gain Min. (dB)	Gain Flatness (±dB)	VSWR In/Out	Power VDC	Lead Time	Notes	Action
Part #	Min	Max	Gain Min. (dB)	Gain Flatness (±dB)	VSWR In/Out	Power VDC	Lead Time	Notes	Action
PA-96	0.005	1	14	1	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-97	0.005	1	27	1	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-98	0.005	1	28	1	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-99	0.005	1	13	1	2.20:1	13	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-10-40	0.2	1.2	40	1	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-9-27	0.3	0.9	27	1.5	2.30:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-3-30	0.5	3	30	1.5	1.50:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-4-20	0.5	4	20	1.25	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-6-30	0.5	6	30	2	2.50:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-11-22	0.5	2	22	2	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-26-20	0.5	6	20	2	2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-40-30	0.5	8	30	2	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-1	0.5	0.8	20	1	2.00:1	28	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-1/8W	0.5	0.8	20	1	2.00:1	28	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-26-20	0.5	6	20	2	2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-26-40	0.6	6	40	2	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-28-40	0.6	8	40	2	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-2	0.8	1	20	1	1.50:1/2.00:1	28	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-118-20	1	18	21	2	2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-1-30	1	1.3	30	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-1-40	1	1.3	40	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-2-30	1.2	1.5	30	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-2-40	1.2	1.7	40	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-3-30	1.4	1.7	30	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-3-40	1.4	1.7	40	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-3	1.5	1.7	30	1	1.50:1/2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-4-30	1.6	1.9	30	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-4-40	1.6	1.9	40	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-5-30	2	6	30	1.5	2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-18-20	2	18	20	2	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-18-22	2	18	22	2	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-41-30	2	18	30	2	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-43-27	2	8	24.5	2	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-20-45	2	2.2	45	0.5	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-25-35	2	2.5	35	0.5	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-25-42	2	2.5	42	0.75	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-5-30	2	2.2	30	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-5-40	2	2.2	40	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-24-45	2.1	2.3	45	0.5	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-6-30	2.2	2.4	30	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-6-40	2.2	2.4	40	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-8-40	2.2	2.5	40	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-7-30	2.7	2.9	30	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
UA-7-40	2.7	2.9	40	1	2.00:1	N/A	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-6	3.6	4.2	36	0.5	1.50:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-7	5.925	6.425	47	0.5	1.50:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-35-40	6	18	40	2	2.00:1	=12/15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-29-10	7	10	10	1	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-32	7	12	23	0.8	1.50:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-8	7.125	7.725	35	1	1.50:1/2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-7-28	8	18	28	1.5	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-8-14	8	18	14	1	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-818-20	8	18	14	1.5	2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-27-24	9	9.5	24	0.5	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
LNA-30-35	9	9.5	35	1	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-27-25	9	11	25	1	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-19	10	11	27	1	2.00:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-9	10.7	11.7	20	1	1.50:1/2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-48	11.7	12.7	55	1	2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-36	12	18	26	0.8	1.50:1	15	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-10	12.7	13.25	15	1	1.50:1/2.00:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-11	14	14.5	15	1	1.50:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-12	17.7	18.2	15	1	1.50:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-13	18.1	18.6	45	1	1.50:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote
PA-14	19.2	19.7	15	1	1.50:1	12	12-14 Weeks	N/A	Request Quote

Amplifier Product Line Specifications

Parameter	Range / Options
Frequency Coverage	3L-band through Ka-band depending on model type
Gain	20 dB and above on select models
Gain Flatness	As tight as +/-0.75 dB across rated bandwidth
Noise Figure	As low as 2.8 dB on GPS band models; ultra low noise models offer sub-2 dB NF
Output P1dB	Model-dependent; see individual subcategory pages
OIP3 (Output Third-Order Intercept)	Model-dependent; see individual subcategory pages
VSWR In/Out	As low as 2.00:1 on GPS band models
Supply Voltage	Model-dependent; see individual datasheets
Connector Options	SMA Female standard on connectorized models
Operating Temperature	Standard commercial and extended temperature ranges available
Applications	Defense, communications, instrumentation, space, GPS, research
Custom Design	Available. Contact MCLI engineering for non-standard requirements.

Amplifier Types and Where They Are Used

Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA) for Receiver Front Ends

A low noise amplifier is placed at the front of a receive chain, directly after the antenna or duplexer, to boost the incoming signal before any other processing or filtering introduces additional noise. Because the first stage in a cascaded system contributes the most to overall system noise figure, the LNA’s noise performance is the single most important parameter in receiver sensitivity.

MCLI’s LNA products are designed for applications in radar receivers, communications ground stations, SIGINT systems, and research instrumentation where preserving weak signal integrity is the primary design goal.

In a practical receive chain, the LNA noise figure, combined with the gain it provides before the next lossy stage, determines whether downstream components like mixers and IF amplifiers meaningfully degrade the system noise floor. A well-specified LNA keeps the cascaded noise figure close to the front-end value, protecting the signal-to-noise ratio across the full receive chain.

Ultra Low Noise Amplifiers for High-Sensitivity Systems

Some applications demand noise performance beyond what standard LNA designs offer. MCLI’s ultra low noise amplifier models are optimized for the lowest achievable noise figure within their frequency bands, trading some linearity margin for minimum possible noise contribution.

These models are relevant in radio astronomy, satellite receive systems, scientific instrumentation, and any application where the received signal power is at or near the thermal noise limit.

Defense and Instrumentation Applications

Defense prime contractors including Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, and BAE Systems, along with research institutions such as NASA, Caltech, MIT, and Sandia National Laboratories, specify RF amplifiers from MCLI for use in radar, EW, SIGINT, satellite communications, and scientific instrumentation.

The ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing process, in-stock availability, and same-day shipping on select models make MCLI a practical choice for both program production and prototype development builds.

Limiting Amplifiers for Constant Output Power Applications

A limiting amplifier is designed to deliver a near-constant output power regardless of input power level across a defined input range. When the input signal rises above the limiting threshold, the amplifier compresses intentionally and clips the output to a set level. This behavior is useful in systems where downstream components, such as frequency discriminators, phase detectors, or digital receivers, need a consistent signal level regardless of input variation.

Limiting amplifiers are common in radar signal processing chains, EW systems, and communications receivers where automatic level control at the RF stage simplifies downstream circuit design.

GPS Band Amplifiers for Navigation and Timing Systems

GPS signals arrive at receive antennas at very low power levels, typically around -130 dBm. Any noise added before or in the first gain stage directly degrades positioning accuracy and receiver lock performance.

MCLI’s GPS band amplifiers cover the L1 (1575 MHz) and L2 (1227 MHz) GPS frequencies, providing sufficient gain to overcome downstream cable and filter losses while keeping noise figure low enough to preserve the signal-to-noise ratio needed for reliable lock. These amplifiers are used in GPS-disciplined timing references, navigation systems, and ground-based GPS monitoring equipment.

Ultra-Broadband Amplifiers for Wide Frequency Coverage

Ultra-broadband amplifiers cover a very wide frequency range with reasonably flat gain, allowing a single component to serve across multiple frequency bands. They are used in wideband receiver systems, electronic warfare platforms that must cover wide instantaneous bandwidth, test and measurement setups requiring gain across a broad sweep range, and signal monitoring applications where frequency agility is needed without changing hardware.

The trade-off versus narrowband LNA designs is typically a higher noise figure and lower OIP3, which are acceptable when signal levels are adequate and a single amplifier must serve across many frequency segments.

Key Amplifier Specifications: What They Mean and Why They Matter

Noise Figure (NF)

Noise figure, expressed in dB, measures how much an amplifier degrades the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal it processes. A 0 dB noise figure would be a perfect, noiseless amplifier. In practice, MCLI’s best models achieve noise figures below 2.8 dB.

In a cascaded receive chain, Friis’ formula shows that the first stage noise figure dominates the system total, which is why LNA noise figure is the first specification engineers look at when designing a receive front end.

RF parts panel showing multiple coaxial connectors used in high-power medical testing equipment for certified RF systems.

Gain and Gain Flatness

Gain is the ratio of output power to input power, expressed in dB. Gain flatness describes how much that gain varies across the operating frequency range. A gain of 20 dB with +/-0.75 dB flatness means the amplifier delivers between 19.25 and 20.75 dB of gain across its rated band.

Tight gain flatness is important in wideband receivers and multi-carrier systems where frequency-dependent gain variation introduces amplitude errors across the signal bandwidth.

Rack-mounted RF communications equipment with BNC connectors used in defense and broadcast systems

dB Compression Point (P1dB)

P1dB is the output power level at which the amplifier’s gain has dropped by 1 dB from its small-signal value, marking the boundary between linear and nonlinear operation. Operating above P1dB produces signal distortion.

Linear operation is maintained at output power levels several dB below P1dB, so specifying adequate P1dB gives the amplifier enough headroom for the expected signal level plus any peaks or transients.

Output Third-Order Intercept (OIP3)

OIP3 is a figure of merit for amplifier linearity in the presence of multiple signals. When two closely spaced tones are applied to a nonlinear amplifier, third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) products appear at frequencies close to the desired signals. OIP3 is the theoretical point where the IMD3 power would equal the fundamental output power. Higher OIP3 means IMD products stay further below the noise floor at a given output power level. OIP3 is typically about 10 dB above P1dB for most amplifier designs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amplifiers

What is noise figure and why does it matter more in the first gain stage than later in the chain?

Noise figure measures how much noise an amplifier adds to the signal it processes. In a cascaded receive chain, each stage contributes noise, but the Friis cascade formula shows that the first stage’s noise figure contributes almost directly to the system total, while later stages’ contributions are divided by the gain of all preceding stages. A low noise figure LNA at the front of the chain, combined with adequate gain before the next lossy stage, keeps the overall receive chain noise figure close to the LNA’s own specification. Later stages matter much less once the signal has been gained up.

What is the difference between an LNA and a limiting amplifier?

A low noise amplifier is designed to amplify weak signals with minimum added noise while remaining in its linear operating region. A limiting amplifier is designed to clip its output to a constant level when the input exceeds a threshold, intentionally compressing into a nonlinear regime to deliver predictable output power regardless of input variation. LNAs are used in receive front ends where preserving signal integrity and noise floor are the priority. Limiting amplifiers are used where a consistent signal level is needed by downstream processing circuits regardless of how much the input power varies.

How do I interpret P1dB and OIP3 when selecting an amplifier?

P1dB tells you the maximum output power before significant distortion occurs. Plan to operate the amplifier at least 5 to 10 dB below P1dB to maintain linear performance. OIP3 tells you how well the amplifier handles multiple simultaneous signals before intermodulation products become a problem. A rough rule of thumb is that OIP3 is approximately 10 dB above P1dB for most designs. When two signals are present, the IMD3 product power at the output is approximately 2 times the output power minus OIP3, so a higher OIP3 keeps IMD products further below your desired signal.

Why does gain flatness matter in a broadband amplifier?

If gain varies significantly across the frequency band, different frequency components of a wideband signal are amplified by different amounts. In analog systems, this distorts the signal envelope. In digital systems using complex modulation like QAM, amplitude variation across the occupied bandwidth raises error vector magnitude (EVM) and can increase bit error rate. Tighter gain flatness reduces the need for downstream equalization and keeps system performance consistent across frequency.

What is a GPS band amplifier and when do I need one?

A GPS band amplifier is a narrowband LNA designed for the L1 (1575 MHz) and L2 (1227 MHz) GPS frequency bands. GPS signals arrive at receive antennas at extremely low power levels, and any noise added before the first gain stage directly degrades receiver sensitivity and positioning accuracy. GPS band amplifiers are used when cable runs, filters, or splitters between the antenna and receiver introduce enough loss to degrade the signal-to-noise ratio needed for reliable lock. Placing the amplifier close to the antenna, before those losses, restores the signal level before the noise floor degrades.

Can MCLI amplifiers be used in defense and MIL-spec programs?

Yes. MCLI has supplied RF amplifiers and passive components to defense prime contractors including Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, and BAE Systems, as well as government research institutions including Sandia National Laboratories and NASA. MCLI’s ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing process supports traceability and quality documentation requirements common in defense procurement. Contact MCLI for custom designs built to specific MIL-spec environmental requirements including operating temperature range, shock, vibration, and humidity specifications.

Does MCLI design custom amplifiers for non-standard frequency bands or gain requirements?

es. MCLI’s engineering team designs custom RF and microwave amplifiers for frequency bands, gain targets, noise figure requirements, and form factors outside the standard catalog. Contact MCLI engineering with your electrical and mechanical specifications to initiate a custom design inquiry.

Amplifier

Octave Band, Special Band, Multi Band and Ultra Wide-Band Models Available

Light Weight, Compact, High Reliability

Low to High Power Solutions

Browse by category

Browse all Amplifier

Filters

Frequency Min Range (GHz)

Frequency Max Range (GHz)

Gain Min. (dB)

Gain Flatness (±dB)

Noise Max (dB)

VSWR In/Out

Power VDC

DC Current (A)

Amplifier Product Line Specifications

Amplifier Types and Where They Are Used

Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA) for Receiver Front Ends

Ultra Low Noise Amplifiers for High-Sensitivity Systems

Defense and Instrumentation Applications

Limiting Amplifiers for Constant Output Power Applications

GPS Band Amplifiers for Navigation and Timing Systems

Ultra-Broadband Amplifiers for Wide Frequency Coverage

Key Amplifier Specifications: What They Mean and Why They Matter

Noise Figure (NF)

Gain and Gain Flatness

dB Compression Point (P1dB)

Output Third-Order Intercept (OIP3)

Frequently Asked Questions About Amplifiers

What is noise figure and why does it matter more in the first gain stage than later in the chain?

What is the difference between an LNA and a limiting amplifier?

How do I interpret P1dB and OIP3 when selecting an amplifier?

Why does gain flatness matter in a broadband amplifier?

What is a GPS band amplifier and when do I need one?

Can MCLI amplifiers be used in defense and MIL-spec programs?

Does MCLI design custom amplifiers for non-standard frequency bands or gain requirements?

Amplifier

Octave Band, Special Band, Multi Band and Ultra Wide-Band Models Available

Light Weight, Compact, High Reliability

Low to High Power Solutions

Browse by category

Browse all Amplifier

Filters

Frequency Min Range (GHz)

Frequency Max Range (GHz)

Gain Min. (dB)

Gain Flatness (±dB)

Noise Max (dB)

VSWR In/Out

Power VDC

DC Current (A)

Amplifier Product Line Specifications

Amplifier Types and Where They Are Used

Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA) for Receiver Front Ends

Ultra Low Noise Amplifiers for High-Sensitivity Systems

Defense and Instrumentation Applications

Limiting Amplifiers for Constant Output Power Applications

GPS Band Amplifiers for Navigation and Timing Systems

Ultra-Broadband Amplifiers for Wide Frequency Coverage

Key Amplifier Specifications: What They Mean and Why They Matter

Noise Figure (NF)

Gain and Gain Flatness

dB Compression Point (P1dB)

Output Third-Order Intercept (OIP3)

Frequently Asked Questions About Amplifiers

What is noise figure and why does it matter more in the first gain stage than later in the chain?

What is the difference between an LNA and a limiting amplifier?

How do I interpret P1dB and OIP3 when selecting an amplifier?

Why does gain flatness matter in a broadband amplifier?

What is a GPS band amplifier and when do I need one?

Can MCLI amplifiers be used in defense and MIL-spec programs?

Does MCLI design custom amplifiers for non-standard frequency bands or gain requirements?

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