9 February 2011

Anadigics launches 2.11–2.17GHz AWB7227 PA for small-cell base-stations

Responding to rising market demand for femtocell and picocell technology, broadband wireless and wireline communications component maker Anadigics Inc of Warren, NJ, USA has launched a highly linear and efficient power amplifier (PA) designed to enable a new class of wireless infrastructure equipment.

Complementing other PAs in the AWB family (including the AWB7127 and AWB7123), the AWB7227 supports WCDMA, HSDPA and LTE air interfaces operating in the 2.11–2.17GHz band, and extends the firm’s portfolio of PAs for use in small-cell base-stations, which are rapidly growing in popularity among service providers as an effective way to expand wireless network capacity and coverage.

Manufactured using InGaP heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) MMIC technology and offered in a 7mm x 7mm x 1.3mm surface-mount package (incorporating RF matching networks optimized for output power, efficiency and linearity in a 50Ω system), the AWB7227 delivers +27dBm of WCDMA power with an ACPR better than –50dBc and 14% power-added efficiency at rated output power. RF gain is typically 29dB. Such performance enables femtocells and picocells with greater reach and smaller, more thermally efficient designs, says Anadigics.

“Femtocells and picocells are a smart and cost-effective way to provide ubiquitous wireless coverage for end-users,” says Joe Cozzarelli, senior director, Broadband RF Products. “As more service providers adopt small-cell base-station technology, we anticipate strong demand for PAs like the AWB7227, which provide flexibility in network architectures by delivering high linearity, output power, efficiency and reliability,” he adds.

Wireless market analysts, as well as industry organizations such as the Femto Forum, are projecting significant expansion for the femtocell/picocell market. Reports predict femtocell shipments over the next three years to reach nearly 50 million units. In addition, the market for femtozone services, which include mobile voice and data applications triggered when a device comes within range of a femtocell, is expected to reach nearly $2bn by 2015.

Engineering samples of the AWB7227 PA are available now for qualified opportunities. The AWB7227 is one of the new Anadigics products being featured at the firm’s booth at next week’s 2011 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain (14–17 February).

See related items:

Base-station PA transistor market to exceed $1bn in 2014

Tags: Anadigics Base stations Femtocell

Visit: www.anadigics.com

Join Semiconductor Today's group on LinkedIn