Skyworks Solutions, Inc. has launched a high-performance power amplifier (PA) for 802.11 b/g WLAN systems.

Article Tools

• 

Skyworks' new PA Plus with on-chip harmonic filtering eliminates the need for additional filtering in the transmit chain. The PA delivers output power at high data rates, improving WLAN throughput while extending battery life in handheld device applications such as PCMCIA cards, mini PCI cards, access points and other wireless data designs. Additionally, PA Plus offers linearity and efficiency with its streamlined applications circuit, reducing the component count by 30 percent when compared to alternative PA solutions, and cutting the size and cost of WLAN products while simplifying board layout.

Skyworks' PA Plus is an efficient WLAN power amplifier for 802.11 b/g applications. A key feature of the PA is its versatility to be biased at higher voltage levels to deliver an additional 15 percent of output power for improved performance in access point and higher-voltage USB designs. The PA delivers 17 dBm of linear output power for 802.11g and 20 dBm of linear output power for 802.11b, while consuming a low 100 mA and 120 mA of power, respectively, when operating from a 3.3-V supply. At a VCC of 5.0 V, designers can achieve up to 3 dBm of additional output power from the PA for access point and USB applications. It is internally matched to 50 Ohms at both the input and the output and includes a temperature-compensated output power detector. A version with an integrated directional power detector will also be available by the end of 2004. On-chip harmonic filtering further eliminates the need for additional filtering in the transmit chain for wireless applications where low current consumption is critical.

PA Plus is manufactured using the company's indium gallium arsenide (InGaP) heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) process to deliver optimum performance and reliability. It is available in a 3 mm x 3 mm low-cost, quad flat no-lead (QFN) package. Pricing is $0.55 each in volumes of 100,000. Volume production will commence this quarter.