News | February 3, 2010

Novatel Wireless Selects ANADIGICS Power Amplifiers For Mobile Broadband USB Modems

ANADIGICS, Inc., a leading provider of innovative RF solutions for broadband wireless and wireline communications, recently announced that Novatel Wireless has selected its WCDMA/HSPA and EDGE power amplifiers (PAs) for two new wireless HSPA+ Mobile Broadband USB modems. HSPA+ is the next evolution of high-speed packet access (HSPA) wireless broadband technology, offering greater capacity for data throughput compared to current 3G networks.

Novatel Wireless' Ovation MC996D and MC998D wireless broadband USB modems give laptop PC and notebook users upload speeds as high as 5.76 Mbps and download speeds of 21.6 Mbps or higher on HSPA+ networks, enabling high-quality user experiences with video, multimedia, gaming and other data-intensive mobile applications. ANADIGICS PAs deliver the power and linearity required for high-speed uplinks in EDGE, WCDMA, HSPA, and HSPA+ modes.

"We are proud to play a part in the continuing development of the mobile broadband ecosystem by supporting Novatel Wireless' development of industry-leading devices like these new Ovation wireless broadband USB modems," said Mike Canonico, vice president of Worldwide Sales for ANADIGICS. "Our commitment to innovation in RF solutions over 25 years has enabled ANADIGICS to become a valued partner, providing RF solutions and application support for mobile devices that enable early deployments of advanced wireless technologies like HSPA+ and LTE which are driving growth in wireless data applications worldwide."

Both Novatel Wireless modems have received industry compliance from the Global Certification Forum (GCF), a process that involved several hundred product lab test cases and extensive field trials that measured the performance of the Ovation MC996D and MC998D on different 3G networks in Europe. The testing conducted to achieve GCF certification ensures that the Ovation MC996D and MC998D products will have the highest reliability and functionality on HSPA+ mobile networks throughout the world.

The Ovation MC996D operates in 3G modes in the 2100MHz and 900MHz UMTS bands widely used in Europe and also includes quad-band EDGE for connectivity on GSM/EDGE networks around the world. The Ovation MC998D wireless broadband USB modem operates in 3G modes in the 2100MHz, 1900MHz and 850MHz UMTS bands used in North America and Japan, and also includes quad-band EDGE connectivity. Novatel selected ANADIGICS AWT6222 and AWT6224 dual-band PAs for WCDMA, HSPA and HSPA+ operation, and the Company's AWE6159 quad-band PA for EDGE mode operation.

Key Facts and Highlights:

  • A recent survey by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) confirmed 315 WCDMA networks in operation at the end of 2009, of which 303 networks also offered High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) service in operation which delivers subscribers data rates of 3.6 Mbps or higher.
  • The GSA confirmed 37 commercial HSPA+ networks in service at the end of 2009, including systems in Australia, Europe and Asia. Another 29 operators around the world have committed to deploy HSPA+ in 2010 or 2011.
  • HSPA+ systems offer data rates from 14.4 Mbps to 28 Mbps with the potential to achieve data rates of 42 Mbps on a 5MHz carrier, significant improvements in user experience vs. early 3G networks delivering 384kbps data.
  • ANADIGICS AWT6222 and AWT6224 are dual-band HELP3™ WCDMA/HSPA power amplifiers that incorporate the Company's proprietary technology for high-efficiency at low powers, while delivering the high output power and good linearity required for high-rate, low-BER uplink transmissions in HSPA and HSPA+ modes. These award-winning products incorporate separate amplifier chains for two UMTS bands in a single 3mm x 5mm package, with common power and logic connections to reduce RF board area and simplify layout.
  • ANADIGICS AWE6159 quad-band EDGE PA is designed to meet performance requirements for GMSK and EDGE modes chipsets using open-loop polar modulation, such as the Qualcomm MDM8200. It has an internal reference voltage and integrated power control for both GMSK and 8PSK operation to reduce the number of external components and simplify production calibration. The AWE6159 power control function includes battery detection circuitry for robust ORFS transient spectrum performance at low battery voltages. Its 5x5mm package is 49% smaller than ANADIGICS previous generation of polar-EDGE devices.
  • ANADIGICS PAs are manufactured using ANADIGICS' proprietary InGaP-Plus technology for state-of-the-art reliability, temperature stability and ruggedness, using materials consistent with the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive.

SOURCE: ANADIGICS