Power amp enables compact Bluetooth transceiver

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Oct 23, 2002

AvantWave has chosen SiGe's RangeCharger PA2423L power amplifier for its BTR100 Bluetooth transceiver module.

AvantWave has chosen SiGe's RangeCharger PA2423L power amplifier for its BTR100 Bluetooth transceiver module.

The fully integrated transceiver module provides OEMs with a very small, high-performance solution that makes it easy to implement Class 1 Bluetooth functionality in access points, USB dongles, PDAs, mobile phones and computer accessories.

"When selecting components for our Bluetooth transceiver, SiGe's power amplifier was a natural choice", said Jonathan Lee, CEO, AvantWave.

"Our objective to deliver a small, high-performance and easy to implement solution was easily met by SiGe's power amplifier.

The device has high power output, very low current consumption, and a much smaller form factor compared to other power amplifiers on the market".

Measuring only 1.6 x 3.0mm, the PA2423L is the world's smallest fully encapsulated Bluetooth Class 1 power amplifier.

The miniature form factor was critical for AvantWave's transceiver module, which targets portable consumer devices, and measures only 48 x 23mm with integrated antenna.

The PA2423L also enables high performance by enhancing signal integrity in real-world Bluetooth environments.

The device has +22.5dBm output power with 45% power-added efficiency when operated in class AB mode, which extends the transmission range, and overcomes antenna and filter losses while meeting regulatory requirements.

"We are pleased with the implementation of our power amplifier in AvantWave's transceiver, which provides significant benefits to Bluetooth OEMs", said Bill Cuming, vice president, optical, cable and components, SiGe Semiconductor.

"The transceiver highlights our efficient silicon germanium technology that enables effective Bluetooth operation in a wide range of consumer applications".

PA2423L is part of growing family of industry-leading power amplifiers The PA2423L is part of SiGe Semiconductor's RangeCharger product line, which includes the PA2423x RF power amplifiers for use in cordless telephone and Bluetooth applications, as well as the SE252x devices for IEEE802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g wireless Enterprise network access.

Based on an efficient silicon-germanium architecture, RangeCharger power amplifiers improve performance, range and power consumption.

The technology is proven in a variety of consumer devices on the market today from companies including Bluewinc, Brain Boxes, CSR, Tecom, Uniwill, and W-Link.

SiGe will continue to work with these companies and others to ensure high-performance wireless access in next-generation products, supporting higher data rate operation in both the 2.4 and 5GHz frequency bands.