9 October 2015

Qorvo launches hybrid power doubler amplifier for DOCSIS 3.1 CATV systems

Qorvo Inc, a provider of core technologies and RF solutions for mobile, infrastructure and aerospace/defense applications, has announced the availability of the RFPD3580 power doubler amplifier, offering what is claimed to be the lowest power consumption and highest output capability for cable TV (CATV) DOCSIS 3.1 systems.

Featuring both gallium nitride on silicon carbide (GaN on SiC) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) process technologies, the hybrid power doubler amplifier module is said to provide high output capability for 45MHz-1.218GHz CATV amplifier systems, excellent linearity and superior return loss performance with robust reliability. The RFPD3580 also operates at what Qorvo claims is an industry-best 18W power consumption, and is unconditionally stable under all terminations.

"DOCSIS 3.1 increases bandwidth to 1.218GHz, supports higher data rates and more digital content," notes Kellie Chong, director of CATV and Broadband Access products. "A new DOCSIS 3.1 hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) architecture, fiber deep (Node+0) is designed to reduce the number of Pas [power amplifiers], but puts higher performance demands on the power doubler amplifier. The high-performance RFPD3580 power doubler is designed to meet output requirements for this new architecture at the lowest power consumption."

Having shipped more than over 2 million CATV GaN units to date, Qorvo says that it is further expanding its portfolio of DOSCIS 3.1 solutions to help cable operators and MSOs optimize available spectrum and increase throughput across their networks to better support increasing subscriber demand for new and improved broadband services.

The firm's DOCSIS 3.1 product portfolio includes more than 60 products, including power doubler amplifiers, push-pull amplifiers, pre-driver gain blocks, attenuators, and switches. Its DOCSIS 3.1 forward-path amplifiers operate from 45MHz to 1.2GHz, with high output (capable of 74dBmV composite power); low distortion levels (lower than 70dBc); and input and output return loss of -20dB (typical). Its reverse-path amplifiers operate up to 300MHz with integrated attenuator and power down function. The firm's DOCSIS 3.1 solutions employ the process technologies including GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) technology, which delivers superior linearity, output power and reliability needed to equip high-speed cable infrastructure networks.

Qorvo's DOCSIS 3.1 products are available in SOT-115J, multi-chip module (MCM) and standard monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) packages, including QFN, SOT89 and SOIC. The MMIC products include gain amplifiers, low equivalent input noise current (EINC) trans-impedance amplifiers (TIA), attenuators, switches, filters and complete optical receivers for RF-over-glass (RFoG) and passive optical network (PON) applications.

Qorvo is exhibiting its portfolio of DOCSIS 3.1 products at the SCTE 2015 Cable-Tec Expo in New Orleans, LA, USA (14-16 October).

See related items:

Qorvo combines GaN on-SiC with advanced packaging to cut cost, increase bandwidth, and save board space in DOCSIS 3.1 upgrades

Qorvo showcasing portfolio of DOCSIS 3.1 products at Cable-Tec Expo

Tags: Qorvo GaN HEMT GaN-on-SiC CATV

Visit: www.qorvo.com/docs/brochures/qorvo-broadband-docsis-3.1-solutions.pdf