New Wide-Band VHF Power Amplifier Modules
“Power Blocks” Simplify Microwave and RF Communications System Design
Electronica 2008 – Munich, Germany – November 12, 2008 – M/A-COM Technology Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of innovative microwave and RF design solutions and products, today introduced a new pair (10 watt and 40 watt) of wide-band VHF power amplifier modules. These modules shorten the final application design stage in mobile, portable and base station communication systems for microwave and RF applications. The multi-modulation modules consist of a driver and an output stage with built-in amplitude equalization and feedback networks.
“The 10W and 40W values were chosen to represent the output power that was technically achievable over five octaves of performance, along with linearity and efficiency,” said Gary Lopes, Director and General Manager of M/A-COM Technology Solutions’ Power Hybrids Operation. “The internal design helps keep the modules compact and is ideal for a wide range of mobile communications systems.”
The MAPM-020512-010C00 (10W) device is a dual stage module with over 20dB gain. It also includes a sophisticated ALC control pin that can be used for signal modulation, tight gain flatness or temperature correction, or other similar applications. When the ALC input is used for AM modulation, an external envelop detector is used to sense the output envelop of the power amplifier and supply a feedback signal to the ALC loop to linearize modulation. Modulation bandwidths spans from DC to over 1MHz, making the 10W module useful for voice, data or even video transmission. The MAPM-020512-010C00 operates in a frequency range between 20- 512 MHz. The supply voltage is 30v, input power 20dBm, output power 20W, bias current 1.0A.
The MAPM-020512-040C00 (40W) is very similar to the MAPM-020512-010C00 dual stage module in both size and performance. The key difference is that it also includes a DC gate bias pin for the MOSFETs rather than an ALC control pin. The MAPM-020512-040C00 operates in a frequency range between 20 to 512 MHz. The supply voltage is 30v, input power 10W, output power 30W, bias current 3.0A.
Both modules have an operating case temperature range from -40 degrees Celsius to 100 degrees Celsius and can be stored in temperatures ranging from -50 degrees to 100 degrees Celsius.
Price and Availability
The two modules are available now. Suggested re-sale pricing for the new MAPM-020512-010C00 is approximately (U.S.) $600 each, while the MAPM-020512-040C00 is approximately (U.S.) $420 each in quantities of hundreds. Pricing is subject to change. Contact M/A-COM Technology Solutions’ domestic and international sales channels for price and delivery quotes. Datasheets and other documents are available at http://www.macom.com.