12 June 2018

Qorvo launches ultra-compact GaN X-band FEMs for radar applications

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In booth 725 at the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS 2018) in Philadelphia, MA, USA (12–15 June), Qorvo Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA (which provides core technologies and RF solutions for mobile, infrastructure and defense applications) has launched high-performance X-band front-end modules (FEMs) for use in next-generation active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The export-compliant gallium nitride (GaN) products also meet the need for high RF power survivability essential for mission-critical operations.

Demand for RF front-end components for radar applications is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% to more than $1bn in 2022. In particular, according to Strategy Analytics the market for RF GaN devices for defense applications such as radar, electronic warfare and communications is projected to grow at 24% CAGR over the next five years, as the adoption rate of GaN significantly outpaces other technology choices.

The new QPM2637 and QPM1002 FEMs are based on Qorvo’s GaN technology, enabling higher efficiency, reliability, power and survivability, as well as savings in size, weight and cost.

The GaN FEMs provide four functions in a single compact package, including an RF switch, power amplifier (PA), low-noise amplifier (LNA) and limiter. They can withstand up to 4W of input power on the receive side without permanent damage, compared with a typical gallium arsenide (GaAs) low-noise amplifier, which can be damaged by less than 100mW of input power.

“Qorvo’s field-proven GaN technology has enabled our customers to solve many challenges associated with the design of AESA radar systems, including greater power output and reliability,” says Roger Hall, general manager of High Performance Solutions at Qorvo. “The introduction of our new export-compliant GaN modules enhances our ability to deliver the highest levels of integration with four parts in one, so that customers can choose the smallest, highest-performance FEMs for mission-critical radar systems.”

The new products - which are EAR99 export compliant - are now sampling to qualified customers.

Tags: Qorvo

Visit: www.ims2018.org

Visit: www.qorvo.com/defense