News Article
SiGe launches Compact Higher Efficiency WiMAX PA
The firm’s second-generation SE7271T is a highly integrated, single Power Amplifier (PA) for 2.3-2.4 GHz and 2.5-2.7 GHz designs.
SiGe Semiconductor,a leading supplier of silicon-based radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers (PAs) and front end modules (FEMs), has further expanded its series of power amplifiers with the release of the SE7271T.
A single high-power PA which can cover both 2.3-2.4 GHz and 2.5-2.7 GHz WiMAX bands, the device reduces bill of materials (BoM) count and cost for USB dongles, data cards, mobile Internet devices and WiMAX-enabled handsets.
Commenting on the device Sanjiv Shah, Marketing Director for WiMAX Products at SiGe said,“Our proven system knowledge and device integration has enabled us to deliver this compact, small footprint PA with unequalled power added efficiency”. He added, “WiMAX ultimately stands for freedom and mobility. With the SE7271T’s low current consumption we are delivering the battery life that consumers have come to expect in mobile devices”.
The new, highly integrated single-die PA is fully matched with a step attenuator, power detector and harmonic filter all in a 3mm x 3mm x 0.6mm Quad Flat No Lead (QFN) package.
The integrated impedance match combines with the product’s functionality to create a “plug-and-play” solution that both simplifies the design of mobile WiMAX products and improves their manufacturability. The lower current consumption and higher efficiency of the SE7271T reduces current draw and leads to improved the battery life in WiMAX-enabled handsets, mobile Internet devices and laptops.
PA current consumption is critical in USB dongles, where the limits on available power supply current typically force reductions in the RF output power of less-efficient PAs, reducing network coverage and data rate.
Shah commented, “Our competitors struggle with delivering to customers the key value points for the evolution of mobile WiMAX products. Competitive products are physically larger or are not compliant with the temperature range required for data cards and USB dongles. And some don’t cover the complete 2.5 GHz WiMAX band.”
He continued, “Full 2.3-2.7 GHz coverage, increased efficiency at high RF power levels, -40 to +85 degree Celsius operating temperature range, reduced package height – these are critical performance areas for mobile WiMAX PAs. The SE7271T delivers on all of them.”
According to Dell’Oro Group, a leading provider of market information about the networking and telecommunications industries, WiMAX subscribers are expected to rise from 7 million in 2009 to 69 million by 2013.
Shah added, “Whether using wired or wireless networks, today's consumers expect broadband speed and performance. WiMAX is the next-generation standard for delivering wireless high-bandwidth connectivity in fixed and mobile environments, and our radiofrequency PAs and FEMs deliver the reliability, flexibility, and performance OEMs require and WiMAX consumers demand.”
He concluded, “The SE7271T provides our customers with an integrated solution for their designs. The reduced design time it supports, with the smallest footprint for its functionality as well as the reduction of the number of components required and cost, all make it a device of choice for USB dongles, data cards, mobile Internet devices and WiMAX-enabled handsets”.
The SE7271T comes in a small lead and halogen free, ROHS-compliant, 3mm x 3mm x 0.6mm QFN package. The SE7271T is priced at US$2.22 in quantities of 10,000 units and is in production now.
