News: Microelectronics
25 September 2024
CML’s SµRF range of sub-GHz MMICs gains 2W linear power amplifier to ease UHF system development
UK-based CML Microsystems Plc – a designer and fabless manufacturer of mixed-signal, RF and microwave semiconductors for wireless communications applications – has extended its SµRF range of sub-GHz monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMICs) with a 2W power amplifier optimized for linear performance and high reliability. The CMX90A006 is intended as a final-stage ISM (915MHz)- and SRD (868MHz)-band power amplifier in wireless transmitter applications.
The packaged two-stage indium gallium phosphide (InGaP) device delivers +33dBm output power at 1dB gain compression over the 860–930MHz frequency range, making it suitable for multi-market applications operating in the license-free bands. The CMX90A006 operates over a wide 2.5–5.25V supply voltage to enable system-level optimization and can be powered by a single-cell lithium battery for portable applications.
The power amplifier is fabricated using an InGaP heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) process technology to provide what is claimed to be excellent reliability and optimum efficiency, gain and linearity performance. The device attains 52% power-added efficiency (PAE), 33dB of small-signal gain and +42dBm output third-order intercept (OIP3) at 26dBm per tone.
The CMX90A006 is housed in a 4mm x 4mm thermally enhanced very-thin-profile quad flat no-lead (VQFN) package to integrate into space-constrained designs easily. The RF input port of the device is internally matched to 50Ω to reduce component count. Engineers can use the EV90A006 evaluation board, which contains the output matching network to optimize performance for their application.
“The CMX90A006 represents a significant advancement in our sub-GHz SµRF range, offering engineers a power amplifier that not only delivers robust linear performance but also ensures high reliability for critical ISM-band applications,” says RF product manager Arwyn Roberts. “Advanced sampling to key customers has demonstrated its ability to operate across a wide voltage range and deliver high efficiency, making it an ideal choice for the latest UHF RFID readers and smart metering technologies, as well as a host of other battery-operated IoT wireless devices operating in the license-free UHF band.”
The CMX90A006 is provided with a comprehensive data sheet, and CML Micro offers full support through its global sales and applications teams. The product and evaluation board will be available through global distribution partners, including DigiKey, Mouser and RFMW.