25 July 2011

M/A-COM Tech launches front-end ICs for mid- and high-band MoCA applications

M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc of Lowell, MA, USA (which makes semiconductors, components, and subassemblies for RF, microwave and millimeter-wave applications) has launched the XZ1003-QT and XZ1004-QT fully integrated, monolithic front-end integrated circuits (FEICs) for Multi Media over Coax Alliance (MoCA) mid-band and high-band RF applications. Both devices are fully compatible with Entropic Communications c.Link MoCA RF transceivers.

Packaged in an industry-standard 3mm,16-lead QFN package, the ICs operate from a single 3.3V supply. They include a high-linearity transmit amplifier, SPDT switch, power detector, digital attenuators bias and digital control circuitry. The integrated bias circuit stabilizes transmit amplifier performance over temperature and process variation with an optional bias adjustment.

M/A-COM Tech says that existing front-end solutions require a 5V amplifier in the transmit path, which drives the need for an expensive voltage regulator. The XZ1003-QT and XZ1004-QT eliminate the need for a regulator while still meeting all MoCA 1.0 & 1.1 specifications.

Key applications are MoCA-enabled customer premises equipment (CPE) such as home gateways, routers, Ethernet-to-coax bridges, network attached storage, and set-top-boxes. The new devices are also qualified for MoCA infrastructure applications, such as drop amplifiers, and optical network terminals.

“M/A-COM Tech’s FEICs simplify MoCA RF implementation,” says product manager Graham Board. “Integrating key RF functions along with bias and control logic into a single 3mm QFN reduces real-estate requirements, speeds up development cycles, and reduces system costs,” he adds. 

Tags: M/A-COM

Visit: www.macomtech.com