Avago introduces MGA-2xx03 series of PA modules

The company's MGA-2xx03 series of PA modules feature a compact 3mm x 3mm x 1mm package and is suitable for manufacturers of portable and mobile devices containing Wimax or high-power WiFi links.

The MGA-2xx03 series consists of three high-gain, fully matched PA modules (with no external matching components) that are said to be cost effective, provide high efficiency over a broad frequency bandwidth and meet industry-standard Spectral Emission Mask (SEM) tests operating at 3.3V.

These features allow designers to achieve standards-compliant performance in space-constrained designs with low current and help to reduce time to market in designing fixed or portable Wimax or WiFi devices used in laptop computers, dongles and wireless access points.

Avago's MGA-2xx03 linear amplifier modules cover frequency ranges of 2.3GHz to 2.7GHz (MGA-22003), 3.1GHz to 3.8GHz (MGA-23003) and 5.1GHz to 5.9GHz (MGA-25203).

The high-gain, low-current use and high-linear power over a broad frequency range of Avago's 2xx03 series give industry designers the option to use a single part to cover the entire band of interest.

Previously, multiple narrow-band parts were required to achieve performance goals.

These fully matched PA modules are designed with a biasing circuit that accounts for manufacturing variation, allowing designers to plan less added system margin, which can reduce costs.

Designed using Avago's proprietary GaAs enhancement-mode pHEMT technology, the MGA-2xx03 series can be used for most high-linearity applications.

Additionally, they provide superior performance across a range of voltage and temperature levels, according to the company.

These PA modules exhibit flat gain and good matching while providing linear power efficiency to meet stringent mask conditions.

Avago's MGA-22003 and MGA-23003 are part of a complete radio-frequency (RF) front-end solution for Wimax applications.

These two parts can be paired with an Avago single-pole four-throw (SP4T) switch detector module to include all the front-end RF functionality.

The MGA-22003 meets the Wimax forum 802.16 mask at more than 25dBm power, while the MGA-23003 meets the ETSI 802.16 mask at more than 25dBm power.

Both have a high gain greater than 34dB across the bands.

Additionally, a low-power mode allows operation at approximately 100mA when only low power is required.

The MGA-25203 generates a full 23dBm power at -34dB EVM with 30dB gain at 5.4GHz.

Avago is showing the full Wimax RF front-end solution, which includes the MGA-22003, the MGA-23003 and the SP4T switch detector module, at the 2009 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, which is being held at the Boston Convention Center and Exhibition Center (Booth #1215) on 8-11 June.

The company's MGA-2xx03 series of WiFi and Wimax power amplifiers are sampling now to early customers and will be available for sampling broadly in the third quarter of this year.