RF Micro Devices (RFMD) has announced the expansion of its 5-GHz Wi-Fi product portfolio to include two new 5-GHz high-band Wi-Fi front-end modules (FEMs) with integrated power amplifiers (PAs). RFMD believes that the RF5506 and the RF5516 are optimized for the rapidly growing smart-phone and tablet market.

The global Wi-Fi market is forecast to represent a greater than $1 billion total addressable market (TAM) by 2014. Adoption of dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) in handsets is estimated to increase from approximately 25% of all handsets in 2011 to approximately 50% of all handsets in 2012, with increasing emphasis on the 5-GHz band for use in 3G/4G smart phones. The anticipated growth in tablet devices is also forecast to support 5-GHz FEM adoption, as mobile Wi-Fi chipsets for tablets increasingly adopt dual-band functionality.

RFMD offers a broad portfolio of highly integrated FEMs that include the PA, the switch, filtering, baluns, and an optional low noise amplifier (LNA) for both single-band (2.4 or 5 GHz) and dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) operation. RFMD’s Wi-Fi product portfolio also includes discrete PAs, switches, and switch/LNA products that support integrated chipset solutions.

Samples and production quantities of the RF5506 and RF5516 are available now through RFMD sales representatives and through the RFMD online store. Product brochures are available and can be downloaded from RFMD’s Web site or by contacting RFMD at 336-664-1233.     

RF Micro Devices
www.rfmd.com