Power amplifiers (PAs) are among the most critical components of any wireless device. In most cell phones, laptops, and other transceivers, the PA is a separate IC because of its need to generate and dissipate more power. It also is one of the most power-hungry parts, with an efficiency that can always be better. That’s why many companies are constantly working on better PAs.

PA Family Tackles 4G Devices

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Anadigics recently introduced a set of multi-mode, high-performance PAs designed for wireless data cards and handsets for the rapidly emerging 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and advanced HSPA+ technologies (Fig. 1). These single-band PAs use the fourth generation of the company’s patented HELP (High-Efficiency-at-Low-Power) technology.

The HELP4 family reduces average current consumption by an impressive 30% over previous PAs. The ALT6701, ALT6702, ALT6704, ALT6712, and ALT6713 are tailored to cover the UMTS and LTE bands 1, 2, 4, 12, and 13 that are available across the United States, Japan, Western Europe, and China. The family also offers three mode states to maximize power-added efficiency at several power levels during LTE handset operation.

Figure 1. The Anadigics ALT6713 power amplifier covers LTE bands 13 and 14. The 10-pin package measures 3 by 3 by 1 mm.

Housed in a 10-pin, 3- by 3- by 1-mm package, the devices feature the lowest quiescent current in the industry (3 mA). Also, each device has been thoroughly characterized under 16-QPSK, 64-QAM, and HSPA+ modulations to ensure compatibility with high bandwidth applications. The package also integrates a “daisy chainable” directional coupler with 20-dB directivity.

The ALT6701 suits Band 1 LTE wireless devices, Band 1 (IMT) WCDMA/HSPA wireless devices, and Band Class 6 CDMA/EVDO wireless devices. The ALT6702 fits Band 2 LTE wireless devices, Band 2 (PCS) WCDMA/HSPA wireless devices, and Band Class 1 CDMA/EVDO wireless devices.

Figure 2. The Avago MGA-43x228 linear PA modules are designed for use in products using WiMAX, WLAN, or LTE in the 2.3- to 2.7-GHz bands.

Furthermore, the ALT6704 targets Band 4 LTE wireless devices, Band 4 (IMT) WCDMA/HSPA wireless devices, and AWS/KPCS CDMA/EVDO wireless devices. The ALT6712 fits Band 12 and 17 LTE wireless devices. And, the ALT6713 suits Band 13 and 14 LTE wireless devices.

Each of these PAs is now available for customer sampling. Evaluation kits are also available upon request. The company’s volume ramp into production will be aligned with market needs to meet customer design cycles for the introduction of the industry’s earliest data card modules for LTE networks.

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