News

19 October 2010

 

RFMD launches GaN hybrid power doubler amplifier module for CATV

At this week’s SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in New Orleans (20–22 October), RF Micro Devices Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA is announcing availability of the RFPD2650, a gallium nitride-based hybrid power doubler amplifier that delivers low distortion performance with the flexibility to optimize for supply current or energy consumption. The module is designed specifically for CATV infrastructure applications including hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) optical nodes.

Power doublers are used in HFC networks to extend the range of signal transmission from the head-end to the consumer. To minimize the cost of delivering the signal to the edge of their networks, multi system operators (MSOs) prefer to use as few amplifiers as possible. MSOs are also increasingly seeking to minimize the operational expenses associated with the HFC network, most notably power consumption and reliability. The RFPD2650 power doubler addresses both of these concerns, as does RFMD's entire line-up of GaN-based amplifiers.

The RFPD2650 supplies a minimum gain of 21dB over the entire 45–1003MHz frequency range. RFMD says that it can deliver up to 20% power or energy savings with no performance penalty in HFC networks, or it can be configured to provide 3dB higher distortion level performance with the same power consumption. With this blend of attributes, RFMD claims that the RFPD2650 enables MSO system designers to select either industry-leading or energy saving (green) performance, while maintaining the ease-of-use infrastructure that OEMs have come to expect from industry-standard SOT115J packaged amplifier modules.

The RFPD2650 leverages GaN HEMT and GaAs pHEMT technology to provide what is claimed to be the industry's best distortion performance, enabling longer-range transmission. Maximum current is 450mA, and current consumption can be reduced to less than 370mA for applications requiring reduced distortion performance. Programmed to match the distortion level of competitive devices, the RFPD2650 delivers 2W of power consumption savings.

The RFPD2650 is available in sample or production quantities and is priced at $26.50 in quantities of 5000.

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RFMD launches first 1.2GHz CATV amplifiers, enabling enhanced, bandwidth-driven services

Search: RFMD GaN Power doubler amplifier CATV

Visit: www.rfmd.com/CS/Documents/RFPD2650DS.pdf

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