RFMD expands portfolio of GaN-based CATV components

NEW ORLEANS, USA: RF Micro Devices Inc. announced availability of the RFPD2650, a new gallium nitride-based hybrid power doubler amplifier that delivers industry-best low distortion performance with the flexibility to optimize for supply current or energy consumption.

The RFPD2650 hybrid power doubler amplifier module is specifically designed for CATV infrastructure applications including hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) optical nodes.

Power doublers are used in HFC networks to extend the range of signal transmission from the head-end to the consumer. To minimize the cost of delivering the signal to the edge of their networks, multi system operators (MSOs) prefer to use as few amplifiers as possible.

MSOs are also increasingly seeking to minimize the operational expenses associated with the HFC network, most notably power consumption and reliability. The RFPD2650 power doubler addresses both of these customer concerns, as does the entire line-up of RFMD's GaN-based amplifiers.

The RFPD2650 supplies a minimum gain of 21dB over the entire 45-1003MHz frequency range. It can deliver up to 20% power or energy savings with no performance penalty in HFC networks, or it can be configured to provide 3dB higher distortion level performance with the same power consumption.

With this unique blend of performance attributes, the RFPD2650 enables MSO system designers to select either industry-leading or energy saving ("green") performance – all while maintaining the ease of use infrastructure OEMs have come to expect from industry-standard SOT115J packaged amplifier modules.

The RFPD2650 leverages GaN HEMT and GaAs pHEMT technology to provide the industry's best distortion performance, enabling longer range transmission. Maximum current is 450mA, and current consumption can be reduced dramatically to less than 370mA for applications requiring reduced distortion performance. Programmed to match the distortion level of competitive devices, RFMD's RFPD2650 delivers two watts of power consumption savings.

The RFPD2650 is available now in sample or production quantities and is priced at $26.50 in quantities of 5,000.