18 June 2012

M/A-COM Tech launches Edge QAM VGA exceeding DOCSIS 3.0 DRFI specs

M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc of Lowell, MA, USA (which makes analog semiconductors, components and subassemblies for RF, microwave and millimeter-wave applications) has launched a EQAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) variable gain amplifier (VGA) for CATV applications.

The MAAM-010399 is an integrated three-stage differential amplifier with an embedded voltage variable attenuator (VVA) to provide continuous power level control. The device serves as the output amplifier in a downstream EQAM RF modulator. It offers very high linearity, operating off a single 6V supply, with a nominal power consumption of less than 5.5W, says the firm.

“The MAAM-010399 simplifies CATV head-end design by integrating multiple gain stages and a highly linear voltage variable attenuator into a compact 5mm x 7mm [40-lead] PQFN package,” says product manager Graham Board. “This variable gain amplifier exceeds DOCSIS 3.0 DFRI specifications and is an ideal solution for EdgeQAM, Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) and Ethernet-over-Coax (EOC) infrastructure applications,” he claims.

The differential VGA is characterized in 75 ohms and designed for operation from 50 to 1100MHz. The MAAM-010399 simplifies the RF implementation and exceeds DOCSIS DRFI specifications with 7dB typical performance margin. Exhibiting a high gain of 28dB, the VGA displays an input and output return loss of 20dB and an attenuation range of 25dB. It also has low harmonics, with 2nd and 3rd harmonics of -65dBc.

Tags: M/A-COM Tech VGA

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