Microchip expands RF power amplifier portfolio

SST, a division of Microchip, has announced two 2.4GHz InGaP/GaAs RF power amplifier modules.

SST12LP17E is dc coupled and has 50Ω matching built in.

At 2x2x0.45mm, the 8pin QFN "is the smallest fully-matched power amp in its class, requiring only one DC bypass capacitor", claimed Microchip.

Designed for 802.11b/g/n applications, its typically provides 29dB gain with

28% power-added efficiency, and meets the 802.11g spectrum mask at 21.5dBm.

SST12LP18E is in the same package, with no matching, and is pitched as a cheaper and lower-voltage alternative to the firm's SST12LP14E. "It offers the lowest operating voltage of any Microchip RF power amp over an operating range of -20 to +85°C," said the firm.

It will operate with a reference voltage of 2.7V, although it is specified at 3.3V - for 25dB typical gain with 32% power-added efficiency.

SST, known as the RF division ('RFD') within Microchip, was acquired in early 2010 and is operated as a separate group from the main company.

Microchip it self has been making RF peripheral chips for its microcontrollers for many years, aiming at embedded wireless, using 2.4GHz and the sub-1GHz ISM bands, rather than cellular or satellite comms.

Until a few years ago, wireless activities were under the wing of one of the firm's three microcontroller sub-divisions.

"About three years ago we formed the wireless product division for two reasons: so that we could concentrate on the radio products, and so that we could make sure the products were compatible with the ranges of all three microcontroller divisions," wireless products division (WPD) marketing manager Tyler Smith told Electronics Weekly.

So how does WPD relate to RFD?

"We have the transceiver and take the signal to 0dBm. Their products amplify from zero up to 20dBm," said Smith.

WPD products are largely made on digital CMOS and include logic for, for example, data buffering or MAC layer processing.

Frequently they interface directly with an aerial and many are modules pre-certified by the FCC, ETSI, or other communications agency.

RFD products from SST, (Silicon Storage Technology - also a flash memory company) are all-RF - either power amps, LNAs, or both.