The BT-100 is a wideband bias tee TX Power Amplifier (PA) that draws its current from the bladeRF 2.0 micro’s SMA connectors. The BT-100 is versatile PA that is an ideal intermediary or final stage amplifier in a TX chain. bladeRF-cli and the libbladeRF API can be used to enable and disable the bias-tee when it is needed. Care should be taken to avoid overdrawing current when powering the bladeRF 2.0 micro from USB bus power and enabling multiple bias-tee amplifiers simultaneously. In case the power budget (print hardware in bladeRF-cli) is a concern, the bladeRF 2.0 micro can be powered by an external DC power supply.

 

The BT-100 is backwards compatible with the bladeRF 1.0 and other transceivers. However J3 must be populated and +5V must be supplied to the board through a separate connector.

 

NOTE: The BT-100 can only be plugged into the TX ports.