RF power amp boasts low EVM at high power for WLAN

Microchip Technology Inc. has expanded its RF portfolio with the release of the SST11CP16 5GHz power amplifier (PA). According to the company, this PA supports the new IEEE 802.11ac ultra high data rate WiFi standard for 351Mb/s with 1.8 per cent error vector magnitude (EVM) at 19dBM output power, enabling a longer range. Also, the PA claims to offer low operating current of 360mA at 22dBm, which enables more transmission channels at a higher data rate, per system.

The SST11CP16's low EVM and high linear power provide an attractive option for set-top boxes, routers, access points and other WiFi devices that require data rates of up to 3Gb/s for applications such as wireless streaming video, stated the company. Additional features of the PA include a 50? on-chip input match and simple output match for ease of use and smaller board sizes. Additionally, the SST11CP16 includes a linear power detector that is temperature-stable and insensitive to voltage standing wave ratios.

Developers can begin designing with the SST11CP16 evaluation board (Part # SST11CP16-QXCE-K), which is available now, via any Microchip sales representative. The SST11CP16 is available in a 3 x 3x.45mm, 16-pin QFN package for $0.86 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Sampling and volume production are both available.