15 December 2010

Anadigics’ LTE PAs used for LG’s first 4G USB wireless modem

Broadband wireless and wireline communications component maker Anadigics Inc of Warren, NJ, USA says that its power amplifiers are being used by LG Electronics for its new VL600 USB wireless modem. To be offered by Verizon Wireless, the VL600 adapts Anadigics’ ALT6713 and AWT6321 power amplifiers (PAs) to boost performance and reliability.

With the ever increasing worldwide commitment to LTE (long-term evolution), the VL600 is LG’s first product for Verizon’s 4G network, enabling significantly higher mobile data speeds with increased network throughputs. Verizon recently said that it will be rolling out LTE network connections in 38 cities across the USA in the coming months. The VL600 will support the 700MHz LTE band (as well as 1900MHz/800MHz EVDO bands for areas without LTE coverage) and is backward compatible with existing 3G networks.

The single-band ALT6713 is the leading product in Anadigics’ portfolio of HELP4 (High-Efficiency-at-Low-Power) PAs for LTE devices. Supplied in a 10-pin 3mm x 3mm x 1mm package, it supports bands 13/14, encompassing operating frequencies in the UMTS 700MHz frequency range (specifically 777–798MHz).

Three mode states maximize power-added efficiency at several power levels during operation of an LTE device. The ALT6713 hence delivers exceptional efficiency at low power levels (18% @ 16dBm Pout) and offers what is claimed to be the industry’s lowest quiescent current (3mA) without the need for external voltage regulators. It exceeds the stringent linearity needs for LTE modulations and averages about 30% less current consumption compared to the previous generation of HELP products. Leakage current in shutdown mode is <5 micro-Amps. The ALT6713 also has integrated ‘daisy chainable’ directional coupler with 19dB directivity, and matching networks optimized for output power, efficiency and linearity in a 50Ω system.

The AWT6321 dual-band CDMA HELP2 PA supports the Cell (824–849MHz) and PCS (1850–1910MHz) bands. Supplied in a 14-pin 3mm x 5mm x 1mm package, it delivers low quiescent current (15mA) and greater efficiency without SMPS or DC–DC converters. Through selectable bias modes, the AWT6321 achieves optimal efficiency across different output power levels, specifically at low- and mid-range power levels (19% @ 16dBm Pout) where the PA typically operates, increasing handset talk-time and standby time.

Both PAs are in mass production and are manufactured using Anadigics’ proprietary InGaP-Plus heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology for reliability, temperature stability and ruggedness.

Tags: Anadigics LTE PA InGaP HBT

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