Manufacturers of WLAN routers and access points are hustling to develop competitive equipment in a demanding market. To succeed, they first need high-performance, low-cost, power-amplifier (PA) modules. Thanks to its excellent linearity and efficiency at higher output levels, the AWL6152 high-performance PA Module for 802.11b/g WLAN applications promises to assuage those needs.

The AWL6152 offers a number of key benefits. For example, it simplifies WLAN circuit design and board layout. In fact, no external components are required for RF impedance matching into a 50-Ω system. For adequate noise filtering, only three bypass capacitors are recommended on the supply lines. Thanks to the PA's 4-×-4-×-1.5-mm surface-mount module package and minimal external-component count, WLAN equipment manufacturers should be able to develop solutions that are both cost effective and small in size.

The AWL6152 module is comprised of an InGaP HBT integrated-circuit (IC) amplifier and passive components. It offers superior linearity in the 2.4-to-2.5-GHz frequency band when operated from either a +3.3-V or +5-V supply. Using an 802.11g modulation format running at 54 Mbps, the module typically delivers a 2.5% error vector magnitude (EVM). For this EVM, the average output power is +22 dBm using a +3.3-V supply.

Biased with +5 V, the AWL6152 delivers a typical EVM of 3% at an average output power of +26 dBm. Under these conditions, the typical current consumption is 250 mA for the +3.3-V, +22-dBm case. The current consumption will be roughly 360 mA for +5-V, +26-dBm operation. For 802.11b modulation standards, the AWL6152 Power Amplifier Module operates within the prescribed spectral mask limits: +26-dBm output power for +3.3-V operation and +30-dBm output power for +5-V operation.

The AWL6152 is available now. It is priced at $1.60 in quantities of 10,000.

ANADIGICS
141 Mount Bethel Rd., Warren, NJ 07059; (908) 668-5000, FAX: (908) 668-5068, www.anadigics.com.