ANADIGICS Inc. launched one of the first mobile WiMAX 4G power amplifiers (PA) developed for use in the 3.4 to 3.6 GHz spectrum adopted by broadband wireless service providers in Europe and South America. ANADIGICS, a developer of RF power amplifier technology for high speed data communications, has differentiated the new AWM6433 by optimizing it for mobile WiMAX applications through the delivery of exceptional linearity and efficiency across all output power levels.
ANADIGICS offers manufacturers a complete family of WiMAX PAs that support subscriber products developed for the 2.3 to 2.4 GHz (South Korea and Malaysia), 2.5 to 2.7 GHz (US, Taiwan, Russia and Japan) and 3.4 to 3.6 GHz frequency bands. These PAs ensure outstanding mobile performance in USB dongles, data cards, smartphones and notebooks that address the growing WiMAX market. According to a report from Juniper Research, which analyzed over 30 countries, the mobile WiMAX 802.16e market will grow to $23 B by 2013, with subscriber levels predicted to reach over 80 million over the same time frame.
ANADIGICS’ AWM6433 supports both the IEEE 802.16d-2004 and 802.16e-2005 standards, enabling the design of equipment for use during the transition from fixed-point to mobile technologies. Facilitated by ANADIGICS’ WiMAX PAs, this migration is expected to enable a rapid expansion of the customer base for existing networks.
The AWM6433 leverages ANADIGICS’ RF capabilities to exceed 20 percent operating efficiency at +24 dBm output power, when powered by a 3.3 V supply, while also meeting ETSI-recommended spectrum mask limits. The AWM6433 is designed to provide an increase in the maximum linear output power with an increase in the supply voltage up to 4.2 V; a feature that supports 4G systems that require slightly higher subscriber transmit power levels.
The AWM6433 has the same package footprint and pinout as other products in ANADIGICS’ WiMAX PA family to ensure simplified designs and ease of manufacturability for OEMs. ANADIGICS currently offers the AWM6430 and AWM6432, 6 V devices that operate in the 3.4 to 3.6 GHz frequency band, and the AWM6422 and AWM6423, 3.3 V mobile devices that operate in the 2.5 GHz band.
Glenn Eswein, Director of Product Marketing for ANADIGICS, states, “The AWM6433 is one of the first power amplifiers available for mobile WiMAX in the 3.5 GHz spectrum, and will power an evolution from fixed-point systems, currently based on the 802.16d standard, to 802.16e mobile platforms.
Joe Cozzarelli, Director of ANADIGICS’ Wireless Infrastructure and WiMAX Product Development, adds, “The AWM6433 exhibits high power efficiency not only at the maximum output power levels, but also at lower output power levels. This efficiency translates to substantially increased battery life for consumer applications where the usage model includes a wide range of transmit powers.”
The AWM6433 includes an integrated 25 dB step attenuator, output power detector, and input and output RF impedance matching circuits. Offered in a 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.0 mm low-profile module, this highly integrated device minimizes board layout space and enables RF front end solutions for size-constrained applications.
