News and New Products

IC power amp reaches 2500 MHz

By Bill Schweber -- EDN, 10/16/2003

A three-stage power amplifier using MMIC (monolithic-microwave-IC) technology combines a predriver, a driver, and an output stage in a 4-mm-sq, leadless package and provides a typical gain of 44 dB at 1.8 GHz. The UPG2118K from NEC, available through California Eastern Laboratories, is useful in the 800- to 2500-MHz range; absolute output power is at least 32 dBm at 1.5W.

Minimum power efficiency for this 2.8 to 5.5V-dc, single-supply device is 42%, and its on-chip active bias circuit maintains constant bias current despite variations in temperature and supply voltage. The NEC UPG2118K, targeting wireless LANs, cellular, ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical), and other short-range wireless applications, sells for $3.14 (100, 000).

California Eastern Laboratories, www.cel.com.