Designed for 3G mobile devices running on WCDMA and allied technologies like HSPA, the AWT66xx single-band power amplifiers (PAs) from Anadigics deliver maximum efficiency at various power levels, according to the company. This includes a 50% reduction in current consumption where mobile devices operate most frequently. The PAs also enable up to 75% more battery life for significantly longer talk time.

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Based on the fourth generation of the Anadigics HELP (High-Efficiency-at-Low-Power) gallium-arsenide (GaAs) technology, the family includes the AWT6621, AWT6622, AWT6624, AWT6625, and AWT6628. Each model targets a specific wireless band (see the figure). Also, each PA includes high-performance directional couplers in a 3- by 3- by 1-mm footprint.

Despite forthcoming 4G mobile technologies like Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and WiMAX, the 3G market sector continues to grow. The carriers continue to roll out new or upgraded cdma2000, WCDMA, and HSPA basestations, making 3G more widely available. And the handset market is responding. Most cell phones now contain 3G radios.

Even with the availability of advanced 3G technologies like HSPA+, WCDMA remains the most pervasive 3G system globally, with commercial service in 135 countries. In fact, 97% of WCDMA operators have commercially launched HSPA. Yet mobile broadband downlink and uplink speeds using HSPA are evolving. The Network Update reports on 80 operator commitments to deploy HSPA+, including 41 commercial systems launched in 26 countries.

Each AWT66xx device is HSPA and HSPA+ compliant for the highest data levels. Furthermore, each model offers three mode states to achieve high power-added efficiencies at several power levels during the phone’s operation. These chips also enable low quiescent current and low leakage current in shutdown mode. Applications include:

• AWT6621: Band 1 (IMT) WCDMA/HSPA wireless devices; Band Class 6 CDMA/EVDO wireless devices
• AWT6622: Band 2 (PCS) WCDMA/HSPA wireless devices; Band Class 1 (PCS) CDMA/EVDO wireless devices
• AWT6624: Band 4 (along with Band 3 and Band 9) WCDMA/HSPA wireless devices; AWS/KPCS CDMA/EVDO wireless devices
• AWT6625: Band 5 (Cell) WCDMA/HSPA wireless devices; Band Class 0 CDMA/EVDO wireless devices
• AWT6628: Band 8 (EGSM) WCDMA/HSPA wireless devices  

Promising improved power efficiency, the AWT66xx series power amplifiers from Anadigics suit WCDMA/HSPA cell phones. Each model targets a separate frequency band. The package measures 3 by 3 by 1 mm.

All of the devices in the AWT66xx series are now ramping into volume production. Complete evaluation kits are available upon request.

Anadigics Inc.