A balun is a type of transmission line transformer. This two-port component is placed between a source and load when a differential symmetric RF functional block needs to be connected to a single-ended block.
These transformers are made by winding a strip-line on a high-permeability core substrate. Because of the high impedance of the winding, the balanced output terminals are isolated from the unbalanced input terminals.
The most straightforward way to build a balun is with a two-winding transformer-based design, with one side grounded and the other side floating (differential). A balun can be used in either direction, so it can perform single-ended to balanced transformation, and the reverse.
The key features of baluns include frequency range, bandwidth, insertion loss, magnitude imbalance, phase imbalance, linearity, distortion, and power rating. Size and cost are also important design considerations.
ST’s baluns use our monolithic RF IPD process to integrate high-quality RF passive components on a single glass substrate. ST’s RF IPD baluns are optimized for high RF integration and improve system performance. They simplify RFIC-to-antenna matching networks and their integrated harmonic filters aid compliance with major EMC regulations like CCC, FCC, ETSI, and ARIB.
Where are balun used?
ST’s RF IPD baluns are used on many antennas and their feedlines to transform a balanced line to an unbalanced one. They usually integrate the matching impedance and optimize the RF power transmission to maximize performance. They usually occupy a very small footprint, less than 1 mm² for the complete function.
- Bluetooth® low energy 2.4 GHz radios
- IEEE 802.15.4-based specification including Zigbee
- Sub-1GHz RF transceivers
- Sigfox wireless connectivity
- LoRa wireless connectivity
Which balun do i need?
Our wide range of integrated baluns includes companion chips for ST’s latest transceivers, such as:- The BALF-NRG-02D3 and BALF-NRG-02J5, tailored for our BlueNRG-1 and new BlueNRG-2 Bluetooth® low energy 2.4GHz radios, in a 1.2 mm² footprint.
- The BALF-SPI2-01D3 (868-927 MHz) and the new BALF-SPI2-02D3 (433-470 MHz), designed to be used with ST’s S2-LP sub-1GHz RF transceiver.
- The BALF-SPI2-01D3 is instead tailored for sigfox wireless connectivity.
These and other baluns designed for other transceivers from various manufacturers significantly help reduce RF complexity and provide an optimized link budget.
Other available baluns include:- BAL-UWB-01E3 optimized for the UWB DW1000 RF IC from decawave.
- BALF-ATM-01E3 for ATSAMR21E18.
- BALF-NRF01D3, BALF-NRF01E3, BALF-NRF01J5, and BAL-NRF02D3 series, optimized for Nordic Semi-BLE RF type ICs.
ST companion chips for Wireless ICs - RF IPD
| Associated RF Transceiver | Matched Balun Companion Chip | Frequency (MHz) | Integrated filter | Size | Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPIRIT 1 | BALF-SPI-01D3 | 868-915 | Yes | 1.4 mm x 2.0 mm | CSP |
| SPIRIT 1 | BALF-SPI-02D3 | 433 | Yes | 1.4 mm x 2.0 mm | CSP |
| S2-LP | BALF-SPI2-01D3 | 868-915 | Yes | 2.1 mm x 1.55 mm | CSP |
| S2-LP | BALF-SPI2-02D3 | 433 | Yes | 2.1 mm x 1.55 mm | CSP |
| BlueNRG-MS (QFP32 and CSP34) | BALF-NRG-01D3 | 2400 | Yes | 1.4 mm x 0.85 mm | CSP |
| BlueNRG-1 (QFP32 and CSP34) BlueNRG-2 (QFN32 and CSP34) | BALF-NRG-02D3 (Height<350ym) | 2400 | Yes | 1.4 mm x 0.85 mm | CSP and Thin CSP |
| Associated RF Microcontroller | Matched Low Pass Filter Companion Chip | Frequency (MHz) | Integrated filter | Size | Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STM32WB55Cx/Rx, STM32WB50Cx, STM32WB35Cx, STM32WB30Cx BLE 5.0 | MLPF-WB-01E3 | 2400-2500 | Yes | 1.5 mm x 1.0 mm | Bumpless CSP (LTCC assy-like) |
| STM32WB55Vx BLE 5.0 | MLPF-WB55-02E3 | 2400-2500 | Yes | 1.5 mm x 1.0 mm | Bumpless CSP (LTCC assy-like) |
What are the main benefits of using ST baluns?
ST baluns simplify solution designs and optimize performance. Our technology for passive integration on a high resistivity substrate ensures higher system integration. It improves reliability, and significantly reduces bill-of-materials in comparison with alternative discrete solutions.
Recommended for you
- BALF-NRG-02J5 50 Ω ultra thin balun with integrated harmonic filter / conjugate match balun to ST BLUENRG134
- BALF-SPI2-01D3 50 Ω nominal input / conjugate match balun to S2-LP,868 - 930 MHz with integrated harmonic filter
- BALF-SPI2-02D3 50 Ω nominal input / conjugate match balun to S2-LP, 433 - 470 MHz with integrated harmonic filter
- BALF-NRF01J5 50 Ω ultra thin balun with integrated harmonic filter
- BAL-WILC10-01D3 50 Ω / Conjugate match to WILC1000 Transformer Balun
- BALF-NRG-02D3 50Ω / conjugate match balun to BlueNRG transceiver, with integrated harmonic filter
- BALF-ATM-01E3 50 ohms / matched to ATSAMR21E18 balun transformer, with integrated harmonic filter
- BALF-NRF01E3 50Ω nominal input / conjugate match balun to nRF51x22-QFAA, nRF51x22-QFAC, nRF51822-QFABBx and nRF51422-QFABAx with integrated filter
- BALF-CC25-02D3 50Ω / conjugate match to CC2541
- BALF-CC26-05D3 50 Ω / conjugate match to CC2610, CC2620, CC2630, CC2640 and CC2650
- BALF-NRG-01D3 50Ω nominal input / conjugate match balun to BlueNRG transceiver, with integrated harmonic filter
- BAL-UWB-01E3 50Ω to 100Ω balun for UWB 3GHz to 8GHz
- BALF-SPI-02D3 50Ω / Conjugate match to SPIRIT1 433MHz Balun Transformer & Integrated Filtering
- BALF-112X-01D3 50Ω / conjugate match to CC1120, CC1125 868MHz & 915MHz Balun Transformer & Integrated Filtering
- BALF-NRF01D3 50 Ω nominal input / conjugate match balun to nRF51822-QFAAG0,\rnRF51822-QFAB0, nRF51422-QFAAE0 / integrated harmonic filter
- BALF-SPI-01D3 50Ω nominal input / conjugate match balun to SPIRIT1, with integrated harmonic filter
- BAL-NRF01D3 50Ω nominal input / conjugate match balun to nRF24LE1 & nRF51822-QFAA, with integrated harmonic filter
- BAL-NRF02D3 50Ω nominal input / conjugate match balun to nRF51822-CEAA, with integrated harmonic filter