Temic Semiconductors Introduces RF SiGe Front End
The front end is designed for 2.4-GHz-ISM, Bluetooth (class 1) and WLAN applications, and is suited to be used in conjunction with Temic Semiconductors' highly RF single-chip transceiver IC T2901. These two devices form a solution that boosts the range of the entire Bluetooth system beyond 100 m.
The front end's power amplifier achieves an output power of +23 dBm/ 3 V at a gain of 25 dB. When used along with out T2901, the T2901's ramp-up signal can even reduce the T7024's gain to -17 dB. As required by the Bluetooth specification, the ramp-up signal also prevents an over swing of the output power by a defined, slow switch-on.
Its low noise amplifier provides a low noise figure (2.3 dB typ.) which together with the single-chip transceiver, increases the overall sensitivity from -80 dBm to -90 dBm, and so exceeds the Bluetooth requirements by 20 dB.
The power added efficiency (PAE) value is about 40% at 2.4 GHz, the current consumption is as low as 170 mA. Switching to standby mode helps to even further reduce the current consumption of only 10 micron A.
A programmable transmit/receive switch driver feeds the current through an external PIN diode into a lamda/4 transmission line. This saves external components such as a switching transistor or an antenna switch (e.g. GaAs IC) as required with other solutions.
Samples of the T7024 in PSS020 packages are available now. To support the design-in, Temic provides a design kit including the reference design, and an RF board. Pricing for the T7024 starts at $2.10 in quantities of 10,000.
Edited by Gregg Miller