Power amp takes on dual-mode wireless LANs

The RangeCharger SE2529L is a multimode power amplifier that improves performance of 2.4GHz WLAN systems compliant to the IEEE802.11b and 802.11g (draft) specifications.

The RangeCharger SE2529L is a multimode power amplifier that improves performance of 2.4GHz WLAN systems compliant to the IEEE802.11b and 802.11g (draft) specifications.

The device features high power output, allowing equipment to transmit over longer ranges while meeting 802.11b/g and FCC requirements.

SiGe's SE2529L is designed for equipment that bridges today's 802.11b installations with high-speed 802.11g networks.

The 802.11g (draft) specification is quickly gaining momentum as the successor to 802.11b for hotspot, home, enterprise and SOHO environments.

Able to support datarates of 54Mbit/s in the 2.4GHz frequency band, the technology provides five times the speed of 802.11b networks, while maintaining backward compatibility with the large installed base.

"The 802.11g market is a natural extension of our product line, which already includes industry-leading power amplifiers for 802.11b applications", said Andrew Parolin, Product Line Manager, SiGe Semiconductor.

"The SE2529L brings our trademark performance to high data rate systems, demonstrated in longer range and higher throughput.

We've had excellent results with lead customers, who've confirmed that the SE2529L is the best solution to solving system-level performance requirements".

SE2529L solves major design challenge facing dual-mode 2.4GHz systems The SE2529L is a highly linear three stage power amplifier that delivers +18dBm output power while meeting an adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) of -29 at 11MHz offset, and -43 at 20MHz offset in 802.11g mode.

In 802.11b mode, the SE2529L delivers +23dBm output power at an ACPR of less than 32dBc on the first side lobe and less than 50dBc on the second side lobe.

SiGe's SE2529L solves a major problem facing system OEMs designing dual-mode 802.11b/g equipment.

Most competitive power amplifiers operating in 802.11g mode must back off their quoted power output in order to avoid cross over to FCC restricted bands.

Reducing power output degrades transmission range for high data rate operation.

In contrast, SiGe's SE2529L provides +18dBm power output while fully complying with FCC and 802.11g requirements.

The improved power output, combined with very low packet error rates, ensures higher data throughput over a longer range.

The SE2529L achieves this high performance with a silicon germanium architecture that is ideally suited to meeting OFDM implementations.

Leveraging this architecture, the SE2529L achieves high linearity that improves stability in multipath OFDM environments.

The architecture also features a market leading 32dB of gain, and an error vector magnitude (EVM) that complies with the IEEE802.11g (draft) specification.

The SE2529L consumes less than 200mA while transmitting at 54Mbit/s datarates.

The SE2529L is the first in a series of power amplifiers from SiGe Semiconductor for multimode and high-datarate WLAN applications.

Next-generation devices will include performance and integration enhancements for 2.4GHz 802.11b/g and 5GHz 802.11a systems.

SiGe's SE2529L is sampling now, supplied in a 4 x 4mm 12-pin LPCC package.

SiGe provides value-added engineering services in support of the SE2529L, collaborating with customers on reference designs that enable easy implementation and optimal performance at the system level.

The devices are backed by SiGe's proven design and manufacturing capabilities to ensure on-time delivery of volume quantities.

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