Anadigics maximises wireless network connectivity with new power amplifier

Responding to rising market demand for femtocell and picocell technology, ANADIGICS, Inc. has introduced a new highly linear and efficient power amplifier (PA), the AWB7227, designed to enable a new class of wireless infrastructure equipment. The AWB7227 extends ANADIGICS’ portfolio of PAs for use in small-cell base stations, which are rapidly growing in popularity among service providers as an effective way to expand wireless network capacity and coverage.

The AWB7227 PA has exceptional linear output power and high efficiency, and supports WCDMA, HSDPA and LTE air interfaces operating in the 2.11 GHz to 2.17 GHz band. Complementing other PAs in the ANADIGICS AWB family, including the AWB7127 and AWB7123, the AWB7227 delivers +27 dBm of WCDMA power with an ACPR better than -50 dBc and 14% power-added efficiency. Such performance enables femtocells and picocells with farther reach and smaller, more thermally-efficient designs.

“Femtocells and picocells are a smart and cost-effective way to provide ubiquitous wireless coverage for end users,” said Joe Cozzarelli, Senior Director, Broadband RF Products, ANADIGICS. “As more service providers adopt small-cell base station technology, we anticipate strong demand for PAs like the AWB7227, which provide flexibility in network architectures by delivering high linearity, output power, efficiency and reliability.”

Leading wireless market analysts, as well as industry organizations such as the Femto Forum, are projecting significant expansion for the femtocell/picocell market. Published reports predict femtocell shipments over the next three years to reach nearly 50 million units. In addition, the market for femtozone services, which include mobile voice and data applications triggered when a device comes within range of a femtocell, is expected to reach nearly $2 billion in revenue by 2015.

Engineering samples of the AWB7227 PA are available now for qualified opportunities.

Key AWB7227 Facts and Highlights:

* Manufactured using an advanced InGaP HBT MMIC technology offering state-of-the-art reliability, temperature stability, and ruggedness.
* Delivers up to +27 dBm of WCDMA power with an ACPR better than -50 dBc.
* Provides typically 29 dB of RF gain.
* Operates with 14% power-added efficiency at rated output power.
* Offered in a 7 x 7 x 1.3 mm surface mount package incorporating RF matching networks optimized for output power, efficiency and linearity in a 50 Ω system.
* Supports multi-carrier operation in E-UTRA downlink operating Band I.