Microchip expands RF power amplifier portfolio

CHANDLER, USA: Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, announced the expansion of its RF power amplifier portfolio, with the addition of the new SST12LP17E and SST12LP18E devices.

The SST12LP17E is the smallest fully matched power amp in its class, requiring only one DC bypass capacitor to achieve optimum performance. The SST12LP18E is a lower-cost, lower-voltage alternative to Microchip’s popular SST12LP14E power amp. It offers the lowest operating voltage of any Microchip RF power amp, while operating at -20 to +85 degrees Celsius.

The devices feature operating voltages as low as 2.7V, linear output power as high as 18.5 dBm at 2.5 percent EVM using IEEE 802.11g OFDM 54 Mbps, and 23.5 dBm for IEEE 802.11b and a high power-added efficiency of up to 38 percent for IEEE 802.11b. The amps are offered in an 8-pin 2mm x 2mm x .45mm QFN package. They are ideal for embedded WLAN applications where small size, high efficiency and low-battery voltage operation are required, such as in the consumer electronics market, in cell phones, game consoles, printers and tablets.

Many engineers are under pressure to extend battery life in their applications, and these new devices meet that demand by offering high power-added efficiency to reduce battery current drain, while their low operating voltages further extend battery life. The SST12LP17E’s matched input and output ports are easy to use and enable faster time-to-market. Additionally, this device requires no external RF matching components and requires only one external capacitor, taking up less board space.

“With the release of these new power amps, Microchip can now offer customers the same reliable operation over temperature with even lower operating voltages,” said Daniel Chow, vice president of Microchip’s Radio Frequency Division. “Combined with high-efficiency operation, these low-operating-voltage devices extend the operating battery life for applications in the consumer electronics industry.”

The new RF power amps are available in an 8-pin 2mm x 2mm x .45mm QFN package. The fully matched, low-power SST12LP17E is priced at $0.48 each, in 10,000-unit quantities, while the low-power SST12LP18E is available for $0.29 each, in 10,000-unit quantities. Samples are available today.