News

27 August 2009

 

RFMD’s PAs to support early field deployment of 4G LTE handsets

RF Micro Devices (RFMD) Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA says it is supplying its RF6276 and RF3280 fourth generation (4G), Long Term Evolution (LTE), power amplifiers (PAs) to two handset manufacturers and two baseband manufacturers for 4G LTE mobile broadband handsets. Accordingly, the firm expects production revenue related to 4G LTE PAs will begin in the second half of fiscal 2010, ending 3 April 2010.

"RF Micro Devices has a proven history in technology leadership and the support of new air interface standards, including 2G, 2.5G and 3G. Now, with these customer engagements, we are pleased to support the early field deployment of next-generation 4G LTE handsets," said Eric Creviston, president of RFMD's Cellular Products Group (CPG).

The RF6276 linear LTE PA is tuned for operation in LTE bands 12 (698 to 716 MHz) and 13 (777 to 792 MHz) and delivers a blend of high-power efficiency and lower current consumption as output power levels decrease. The PA features two digital power modes that adjust bias current and optimize the PA for the desired range of output power, while maintaining the stringent linearity requirements of LTE modulation, says the firm.

The RF3280 linear LTE PA is tuned for operation in LTE band 7 (2500 to 2570 MHz) and is optimized for use in linear multimode WCDMA/LTE mobile devices. RFMD says that the RF3280 leverages the firm’s quadrature PA technology, which improves end-product immunity to VSWR (antenna mismatch) and eases end-product implementation. The PA is designed for RF front end architectures utilizing analog bias control in combination with a mated DC-DC converter. This architecture enables dynamic PA loadline adjustments which optimize performance whether the handset is operating in WCDMA or LTE, adds the firm. The combination of analog bias control and a DC-DC converter also optimizes efficiency, at all power levels, and minimizes overall thermal impact. The RF3280 includes an integrated output power detector that supplies a voltage signal relative to the output power level of the PA.

Technical features of the RF6276:

• Compact, low profile package: 3.0 x 3.0 x 1.0 mm.
• Excellent low-power efficiency.
• 2 power-mode states with digital control interfaces.
• Highly integrated module requiring no external blocking or decoupling capacitors

Technical features of the RF3280:

• Compact module package: 4.0 x 4.0 x 1.14 mm.
• Optimized efficiency at all power levels.
• Integrated output power detector.
• Highly integrated module requiring no external blocking or decoupling capacitors.

Samples of the RF6276 and RF3280 are available immediately, and pricing is available upon request.

See related item:

LTE deployments to cluster in 2600MHz band

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Visit: www.rfmd.com