21 March 2012

TriQuint launches CATV RF infrastructure & docsis 3.0 TriAccess amplifiers that cut PCB area and power consumption

Launched simultaneously at the China Content Broadcasting Network (CCBN 2012) broadband exposition in Beijing (21-23 March) and in Silicon Valley, USA, RF front-end component maker and foundry services provider TriQuint Semiconductor Inc of Hillsboro, OR, USA has announced the availability of two new TriAccess amplifiers that can replace multiple products in cable TV (CATV) systems.

The firm says that the new devices offer manufacturers economical RFICs built with market-tested gallium arsenide technology that supports greater functional integration and higher efficiency. All devices have been used in multiple CATV systems worldwide.

The TAT8858 is a 34db integrated push-pull amplifier suited to 75 Ohm amplifier and transimpedance receiver applications. It offers flexibility, since it is able to operate efficiently at gain levels of 26-34dB, and can be used in both 12V and 24V applications, which can lower operational costs by significantly reducing current consumption. The device’s high gain also off-loads output amplifier demands, while providing very low noise performance. The device uses patented on-die integrated linearization. The TAT8858’s performance enables it to replace multiple discrete components in CATV infrastructure RF designs.

The TAT2814A satisfies the DOCSIS 3.0 specification with more than 4dB (typical) performance margin. By integrating two stages of amplification and a variable gain attenuator (VGA), the device can simplify CATV RF design by reducing the number of discrete RF components compared to products previously needed to achieve this level of performance, it is claimed. Legacy solutions require up to five times the PCB space to deliver DOCSIS 3.0 performance while consuming up to twice the electrical power. TriQuint says that the new product suits DOCSIS 3.0 output-stage amplifier designs including Edge QAM and CMTS (cable modem termination system) applications. The TAT2814A is also suited to Ethernet-over-coax (EOC) approaches that are designed to support DOCSIS 3.0 power amplifier levels.

TriQuint says that it is simplifying RF connectivity by providing products including the TAT8858 that enable a whole family of push-pull amplifiers and receivers based on a single RF circuit. The flexibility to work in 12V and 24V designs supports triple-play (voice-video-data) broadband designs such as network upgrades and greenfield deployments. The TAT2814A offers wide performance margin to overcome losses before the RF chain output connector.

Samples and evaluation boards are available for both the TAT8858 and TAT2814.

Tags: TriQuint

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