The mobile version of the WiMAX
broadband wireless technology is
beginning to roll out as laptop manufacturers
add it to their PCs and as other
companies make wireless access points
for the home and office. Now, all of these
designers have access to a WiMAX power
amplifier (PA) thanks to SiGe Semiconductor.
The SE7262L is a 2.5-GHz PA for batterypowered
devices. It delivers 28.5 dBm of output
power (708 mW) with an efficiency of
20%—not bad for a linear device as required
by the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing
(OFDM) used by WiMAX.
A good PA is essential to achieving the
best performance, especially to support the
forthcoming multimedia services promised
by WiMAX providers. This IC’s specs exceed
the spectral mask requirements outlined in
the IEEE 802.16e standard and the WiMAX
Forum’s specifications.
The SE7262L also includes an on-chip
power detector, a step attenuator, and a harmonic
filter. Full input and output matching
is provided, further eliminating some external
passives while saving space. The device operates
from 3.3 V and comes in a 4- by 4- by
0.9-mm package (see the figure). It operates
from –40°C to 85°C. Sampling now, the
SE7262L costs $2.85 in 10,000-unit lots.
LOUIS E. FRENZEL
SIGE SEMICONDUCTOR
www.sige.com