Syracuse, New York
Anaren, Inc. recently announced that its Breakthrough 2003 launch represents a major improvement in balun transformers. This launch takes the form of a minuscule, surface-mount Xinger-brand component called a Femto balun (FB). At 0.12 × 0.12 × 0.035 in. (3.05 × 3.05 × 0.89 mm), it is by far the smallest Xinger-brand component ever introduced by the company. The Femto balun is ideal for next-generation 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) chip sets and Bluetooth platforms. In such applications, it elegantly replaces lesser-performing ceramic and lumped-element solutions. In addition to the obvious cost savings, the FB offers a 0.5-dB insertion loss, outstanding phase and amplitude balance, and a reduction in system power consumption. Plus, its return loss makes the unit "mismatch" tolerant.

The FB comes in two versions: the FB650 and FB850. Each version has a 2.4-to-2.5-GHz (narrowband), 5.15-to-5.35-GHz (narrowband), and 4.8-to-5.8-GHz (broadband) frequency range, respectively. Each device boasts a 17-dB return loss, a 180° ±5° (maximum) phase balance, and a power handling of 4 W.

These products mark the company's new foothold in consumer end products, such as WLAN, Bluetooth-equipped laptops, and wireless headsets. Traditionally, the company has been known as a component and subassembly supplier. Basically, it served large-scale wireless-infrastructure equipment OEMs in the base-station and space/defense arenas.

Like all Anaren off-the-shelf components, the new FB transformers are backed by the Anaren exclusive 100% OnSpec guarantee. In addition, the company's B-There service commitment ensures on-time delivery. Samples and application notes are available within 24 hrs. for qualified prototype work. For further details, go to www.anaren.com.

Santa Clara, California
Recently, National Semiconductor Corp. announced the LM4906 Boomer audio amplifier. This amplifier eliminates the bypass capacitor that is typically connected to the reference-voltage pin. This architecture improves the power-supply rejection ratio (PSRR) while providing very fast turn-on times. Both features are ideal for applications in small, portable devices, such as mobile phones and notebook computers.

The LM4906 Boomer product features a patent-pending architecture that does away with the need for the reference-voltage bypass capacitor. The result is a reduction in system cost and board-space savings. For customers, it offers savings in terms of manufacturing time. The product's fast turn-on and turn-off times also are very important for power consumption. They enable aggressive power management and longer talk time in cellular applications.

This audio amplifier is designed to improve overall system performance. It was created for demanding applications in mobile phones and other portable communication devices. It is capable of delivering 1 W of continuous average power to an 8-Ω bridge-tied load (BTL) with less than 1% total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) from a 5-V DC power supply. The LM4906 has an internal selectable gain of either 6 or 12 dB. It does not require output-coupling or bootstrap capacitors.

The device contains advanced pop-and-click circuitry, which eliminates the noise that would otherwise occur during turn-on and turn-off transitions. The LM4906 also houses a low-power-consumption shutdown mode. This part is enabled by pulling the shutdown pin high. In addition, the product boasts an internal-thermal-shutdown protection mechanism.

The LM4906 is available now in either LLP chip-scale or MINI SOIC packaging. It is priced at $0.60 in 1000-unit quantities. More information on the LM4906 is available at www.national.com.

Mitchel Field, New York
Since its inception, Frequency Electronics, Inc. has worked to provide the most advanced control of frequency and time. Both of these factors are essential for communication and data transfer in electronic spacecraft systems, telecommunications networks, and certain military applications. Time and frequency also are used to synchronize voice, data, and video transmissions in wireless communications systems. These systems are found in both ground-based stations and on-board commercial satellites. Frequency Electronics' family of GPS clocks was created with all of these uses in mind.

Featured in this family are clocks characterized by 1 PPS operating at 10 MHz, 13 MHz, 15 MHz, or any other desired output frequency that is derived via DDS. The clocks are available in various disciplining hierarchies, including GPS > Rb > Rb, GPS > Rb > Quartz, Rb > Quartz, and GPS > Quartz. Various packages allow the company to satisfy customer requirements. For further information on the GPS clock family of products, point your browser to www.freqelec.com.