Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced the industry’s lowest noise figure 0.9 to 3.5 GHz MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) LNA (low-noise amplifier) module, with integrated shutdown capability that enhances the performance of GPS handsets. The Agilent ALM-1106’s combination of low noise figure to improve sensitivity, miniature size, low-voltage operation, and battery-saving features makes the amplifier module an ideal choice for GPS receivers incorporated in mobile phone handsets.

“The ALM-1106 will help our customers reduce the PCB size and associated material costs for the cellular handset GPS function,” said Ho King Pieng, worldwide marketing manager for the Wireless Semiconductor Division in Agilent’s Semiconductor Products Group. “It offers better performance while being extremely cost-competitive with other GPS and ISM-band LNAs on the market.”

The high-performance GPS LNA presents an attractive solution for cellular handset manufacturers as they start offering location-b