29 September 2014

Anadigics launches high-output GaN line amplifier family optimized for DOCSIS 3.1 CATV

Broadband wireless and wireline communications component maker Anadigics Inc of Warren, NJ, USA has introduced two high-power gallium nitride (GaN) line amplifiers for cable television (CATV) infrastructure applications. The ACA2455 and ACA2456 support full DOCSIS 3.1 bandwidth, operating up to 1.2GHz, while supporting legacy bands down to 50MHz. Also, the output power of the line amplifiers enables use in Node+0 system architectures without active components downstream from the fiber node.

The new line amplifiers combine Anadigics’ field-proven, highly linear gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology for the driver stage with a high-power GaN output stage, delivering what is claimed to be the industry’s highest output power over the full DOCSIS 3.1 frequency band. “Manufacturers are able to leverage these performance and reliability advantages to develop new solutions that enable MSOs [multi-system operators] to quickly deploy next-generation fiber-to-the-node networks,” says Tim Laverick, senior VP of Infrastructure Products.

With Node+0 configurations, fiber is run deeper into the network, eliminating the need for downstream RF amplifiers. Node+0 is the natural evolution of node splitting and the shift to ‘fiber deep’ architectures as MSOs continue to seek new ways to increase system bandwidth by shrinking service groups to reduce the number of homes served by each node. This architecture also significantly simplifies network design, reduces maintenance costs, and decreases deployment time for new build outs. As demand for faster data speeds accelerates, the total number of deployed nodes is expected to increase by up to 1000% according to some MSO estimates, increasing the total number of available sockets for these unique high-power line amplifiers, says Anadigics.

The ACA2455 and ACA2456 line amplifiers combine the firm’s GaAs MESFET technology with a GaN output stage in a proven thermally enhanced 16-lead SOIC surface-mount package. The ACA2455 provides 28dB gain with +73dBmV composite output power and 625mA current consumption, while the ACA2456 offers 18dB gain with +76dBmV composite output power and 900mA current consumption. The firm’s GaN surface-mount line amplifiers offer what is claimed to be exceptional composite triple beat (CTB), composite second order (CSO), cross modulation, carrier-to-intermodulation noise (CIN), and modulation-error and bit-error ratio (MER and BER) characteristics for optimal performance in a fully loaded spectrum.

See related items:

Anadigics' GaN power doubler chosen by European manufacturer for DOCSIS 3.1 CATV equipment

Anadigics launches 1.2GHz GaAs & GaN amplifier family for DOCSIS 3.1 CATV infrastructure network upgrade

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