SiGe Semiconductor announced the SE2582L, a power amplifier based on an integrated architecture that boosts power efficiency, reduces system-level cost and optimizes performance of Wi-Fi® systems. The new power amplifier is ideal for access points, laptops, PC cards and embedded Wi-Fi applications.
The SE2582L is based on a proven, award-winning architecture that features a high performance power detector, all matching circuitry, and digital enable control in a compact 3 mm by 3 mm QFN package. The device provides high performance and integration while still maintaining a low quiescent current. This allows product designers to achieve even more efficiency while transmitting at lower output powers. The highly integrated architecture eliminates external requirements for matching and reference voltages, thereby reducing system bill of materials cost by about 10 percent and board space by 43 percent.
The device operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, able to support all of the requirements for 802.11b/g applications. Lead customers are pairing two SE2582L devices together to support multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) 802.11n operation. The higher throughput of 802.11n will allow manufacturers to support consumer applications that go beyond data and internet to high definition video and media distribution.
“The SE2582L was designed specifically to meet the requirements of the embedded space, where battery life and size are critical,” said Jose Harrison, marketing manager for power amplifier products at SiGe Semiconductor. “We have combined an efficient architecture with power control features that allow designers to easily meet the maximum power consumption ratings, even when incorporating two or more transmit chains. This ability to support higher bandwidth without impacting battery life allows consumer device manufacturers to capitalize on the emerging opportunity for wireless multimedia services.”
The SE2582L delivers +17.5 dBm output power at an error vector magnitude (EVM) of 3 percent using 105mA while operating in 802.11g mode. All ACPR requirements are met while operating at +20 dBm output power in 802.11b mode. The device features low quiescent current of 48 mA allowing increased efficiency at reduced power levels. The low power consumption allows multiple power amplifiers to be integrated without impacting battery life, thus allowing higher data rates to be supported in Cardbus or PCI-Express applications, or mobile appliances including cellular phones and PDAs.