Low-profile power amp extends Bluetooth reach

SiGe Semiconductor has expanded its series of Bluetooth integrated circuits with a miniature power amplifier optimised for portable consumer electronics.

SiGe Semiconductor has expanded its series of Bluetooth integrated circuits with a miniature power amplifier optimised for portable consumer electronics.

The RangeCharger PA2423U delivers SiGe's proven high-performance power amplifier architecture in a small profile package that allows manufacturers to meet the requirements for increased functionality in a new class of smaller and thinner devices.

The PA2423U is designed for an emerging class of applications requiring Bluetooth Class 1 connectivity.

Systems compliant with the Bluetooth Class 1 specification use a power amplifier to strengthen the signal for reliable wireless transmission over a range of up to 100m.

This boost in performance is driving consumer demand for Bluetooth wireless capability in an expanding list of products including cellular handsets, personal digital assistants, wireless headsets, laptop computers, cordless telephones and other portable devices.

"SiGe Semiconductor is a leader in Bluetooth Class 1 power amplifiers, and we are positioned to take advantage of this growing market opportunity," said Andrew Parolin, Director of Wireless Power Amplifiers at SiGe Semiconductor.

"We have established a track record for performance, low power consumption and customer support".

"The PA2423U delivers these same capabilities in a miniature package that will solve the primary challenge of system design: integrating more functionality while reducing size and maintaining battery life." The PA2423U is supplied in a lead-free 6-pin QFN package with a height of just 0.5mm.

The device is based on SiGe's award-winning power amplifier architecture, and is capable of industry-leading output power of +23dBm with 45% power-added efficiency.

This leading performance ensures that the device can overcome insertion losses of up to 2.5dB between the amplifier output and antenna input.

This allows products based on the device to maintain strong, reliable signals over the full 100m transmission range.

Additional features of the PA2423U include power control and power down modes.

These power-saving features, in addition to an efficient silicon-germanium architecture, minimises current consumption to 135mA while operating at +23dBm output power.

This allows designers to support battery life requirements in portable devices.

The PA2423U is the latest in SiGe's series of PA2423x 2.4GHz power amplifiers.

The series began rolling out in 2000, when SiGe captured a 40% share of the market for Bluetooth Class 1 power amplifiers.

SiGe Semiconductor's Bluetooth power amplifiers have shipped to some of the world's leading system manufacturers.

The PA2423U is pin compatible with SiGe's existing Bluetooth power amplifiers, providing designers with an easy upgrade for next-generation equipment.

The PA2423U is sampling now.

Application notes and application board are available to qualified customers.

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