Qorvo Adds New GaN PAs for Mission-Critical Applications
New PAs target Ka-band satcom and X-band phased array radar applications
At IMS 2019 in Boston this week, Qorvo has launched two new GaN power amplifier (PA) families for domestic and international Ka-band satcom and X-band phased array radar applications. The solutions, which are said to deliver best-in-class power, linearity and efficiency in a smaller footprint, enable higher system performance while reducing costs.
The QPA2212 for Ka-band applications has the industry’s highest linearity for wideband multi-carrier systems. The power amplifier delivers 20 watts of RF power operating over the 27-31GHz frequency band. There are also 14-watt QPA2211D and 7-watt QPA2210D options. Delivering higher linear power in a single MMIC PA enables cost reduction and performance enhancing opportunities. The QPA2212D is available now as die; packaged versions will be available in August 2019.
The QPA1022 for X-band phased arrays offers best-in-class power added efficiency of 45% at 4 watts RF power in the 8.5-11 GHz range. This is an increase in efficiency by 8% over previous products while providing 24 dB large signal gain. These capabilities translate into maximum power with minimum heat, higher reliability and lower cost of ownership. Designers can create higher-density arrays and achieve greater range for the same power budget. The QPA1022 is available to customers now in packaged and die versions.
Dean White, director of defence and aerospace market strategy at Qorvo, said: “These new amplifiers expand Qorvo’s already-large portfolio of differentiated GaN products for defence applications. Their advanced capabilities and packaging leverage our more than 30 years of expertise in designing and delivering RF solutions for this market, and also offer viable options for commercial 28GHz 5G network design.”
