9 October 2014

MACOM introduces 4 stage E-band driver amplifier and low noise active mixer

M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc (MACOM) of Lowell, MA, USA (which makes semiconductors, components and subassemblies for analog, RF, microwave and millimeter-wave applications) has announced several new products at the European Microwave Week, taking place this week in Rome, Italy.

MACOM’s new 4 stage E-band driver amplifier, the MAAM-011167, builds on its previous MAAP-011106 E-Band power amplifier introduced in March this year. Delivering typical Psat of 24dBm for the 71-76GHz and 81-86GHz frequency ranges in a single product, the device is ideal for high capacity macro cell and small cell backhaul point to point radios, says the firm.

MAAM-011167 is ideally suited for both macro cell and small cell backhaul point-to-point radios and features variable gain with adjustable bias and an integrated power detector, which allows customers to avoid extra loss and extra cost that is associated with a discrete power detector. MACOM’s bare die power amplifier supports 18dB of small signal gain with variable gain control for flexible performance tuning. Depending on the application and required power output it can either be used as a final stage power amplifier or as a driver amplifier for applications requiring higher power. Each device is RF tested to ensure performance compliance, and is fabricated using a pHEMT process.

“With the introduction of our latest E-Band power amplifier, we’re making it easier for transceiver designers to achieve high linear power and gain control over the full E-band spectrum, while including the convenience and performance of an integrated output power detector. The addition of the MAAM-011167 to our market leading E-Band portfolio gives radio designers further options to optimize the output power level to their end application requirements,” says Stuart Cornelius, Wireless Backhaul product manager, MACOM.

Production quantities and samples of MAAM-011167 are available from stock.

MACOM has also introduced its MAMX-011023 low noise active mixer. The 4–23GHz MAMX-011023 discrete mixer gives system designers unrivaled flexibility to target a wide range of applications with a single mixer component, says the firm. Offering the widest frequency bandwidth coverage of any product in this category, the mixer provides a versatile and cost-effective platform for a wide range of applications spanning test and measurement, electronic warfare, point to point wireless, video satellite and more.

Housed in a lead-free, ultra-compact 1.5mm x 1.2mm TDFN surface mount plastic package, the MAMX-011023 mixer maximizes space savings and manufacturing efficiencies. It’s designed for down frequency conversion and supports very low noise of 7dB typical. This mixer covers the 4-23GHz RF frequency range, has an ultra wide band IF of 8GHz, and supports conversion gain of 9dB typical at 12GHz and low power consumption at 3v/15mA. This mixer can be biased from a single positive supply.

MAMX-011023 is fabricated using a GaAs process which features full passivation for increased performance and reliability, and can be used for either lower sideband (LSB) or upper sideband (USB) mixing. It integrates a FET gain element with LO and RF driving the same pin. The transconductance mixing allows a very low noise figure for an active mixer, enabling a high performing solution for real-estate constrained customers.

“The MAMX-011023 mixer delivers excellent performance over the widest frequency bandwidth supported today in this product category,” says product manager Tom Galluccio. “This wide bandwidth equips system designers to target a diverse range of products and applications with one easy-to-use device, enabling significant cost, design and component procurement efficiencies.”

MAMX-011023 is now available for sampling.

Tags: M/A-COM E-band driver amplifier Low noise active mixer GaAs

Visit: www.macomtech.com