» We watch this category closely for indications of newer semiconductor technologies creeping up on pure silicon as device manufacturers attempt to wring as much performance out of their products. This issue is no exception.

(1)
FAIRCHILD SEMI
Linear RF power amp module's low power consumption optimizes cell phone talk time
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The RMPA1959 is a high performance linear RF Power Amplifier Module (PAM) for CDMA and CDMA2000-1X personal communications system (PCS) applications. The RMPA1959 features single positive-supply operation, low power and shutdown modes, 39% CDMA efficiency at +28-dBm average output power, in a compact 4 x 4 mm package. The linear power amplifier's low power consumption and excellent linearity are the result of Fairchild's proprietary InGaP Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) technology. "
Readers say: » "Good Integration. Gotta push efficiency significantly before batteries get any real relief." » "Sign of things to come" » "Innovative InGaP HBT technology." » "A superb combination of user-friendly packaging at an affordable price; should have great success in the marketplace." » "High power consumption"
USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
CONEXANT SYSTEMS
Low-power satellite tuner supports free-to-air market for digital TV
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The CX24113 satellite tuner was developed to address the demand for low-cost, high-performance tuners in emerging digital television markets in Europe, India and Asia Pacific. Its highly integrated design allows manufacturers to reduce bill of material costs (BOM) while saving valuable board space and simplifying product design. "
Readers say: » "Wow, this hits the nail on the head. Unbeatable price and outstanding integration." » "Interesting component." » "I have a current project that could benefit from this device, but Conexant does not usually deal with small design houses." » "Will this support channels in Europe, India and Asia Pacific alone? What about Africa?" » "Very nice product."
USABILITY RANK: 2

(3)
UNIBAND ELECTRONIC CORP (UBEC)
Transceiver uses direct conversion to minimize external parts count, power consumption
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Test results show that UW2451 significantly improves RF performance over incumbent solutions on the market such as 5 dB better in receiver sensitivity. This is accomplished by the ultra low noise figure of just 2.5 dB of full receiver. Also, owing to its highly linear receiver, UW2451 is able to operate to a maximum input power of greater than 0 dBm in 54 Mbps."
Readers say: » "5 dB is a big deal in this world, my hat's off." » "I could use this in a current design." » "This product provides excellent service in the wireless Internet Age." » "Very cool chip. Lowers component count dramatically. The only downside is that small manufacturing houses usually aren't setup to deal with a QFN packing. So, usually takes a while to bring yields up."
USABILITY RANK: 3

(4)
RFDOMUS
RFDomus introduces the industry's lowest power chip for GPS
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The RFD1400 GPS receiver is optimized for cellular handsets and other portable communications applications. Designed to be the industry's lowest power RFIC for GPS applications, the RFD1400 offers power consumption of 12 mW. "
Readers say: » "Lowest power always helps." » "No significant spec sheet posted at the company's website, just an overview." » "It would be nice to know estimated quantity pricing." » "With low power GPS chip availability, it will be worth while for cell phones to have GPS capabilities bundled. Longer battery life is still one of the challenges."
USABILITY RANK: 5

(5)
MAXIM
Three-chip design with limiting amp, TIA, laser driver meets small form factor needs
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The MAX3746 3.3V, low-power, multirate limiting amplifier with a programmable loss-of-signal indicator, the MAX3744 transimpedance amplifier (TIA), the MAX3746 limiting amplifier, and the MAX3735A/MAX3740A laser drivers form a 3-chip solution for small form factor pluggable (SFP) digital diagnostic modules. "
Readers say: » "Day late. Dollar short. Too big. Weak stats." » "Interesting product. Undoubtedly a slick solution. We have an immediate design application to give it a try."
USABILITY RANK: 4

(6)
PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTOR
Monolithic Microwave IC wideband medium power amplifier targets wireless
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "The BGA6289 monolithic microwave IC (MMIC) that's optimized for applications such as W-CDMA basestations, is a broadband 50-ohm gain block with an output power of 17 dBm."
Readers say: » "Nice little block of amplification. Well characterized." » "This is only good at best. Try the CGB7289 from Celeritek for a better part or the CGB7010 or CGB7011, the highest gain at 6GHz is held by Celeritek and it is the CGB7014" » "Might be acceptable." » "It´s the product we were waiting for to complete our cost effective design."
USABILITY RANK: 6

(7)
LTC
A new bird gives wings to active mixer designs with high linearity up converting
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Linear Technology is really excited about the LT5521, as are its customers, because it changes the way you can design transmit (up converter) mixers. It's a new design that offers you the advantages of the active design with some trade offs, compared to the passive design. "
Readers say: » "LT is tackling a new marketwith gusto. My hat's off." » "This is an impressive part."
USABILITY RANK: 7

(8)
ANADIGICS
High performance PAs excel in emerging 450 MHz wireless applications
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "A new indium gallium phosphide heterojunction bipolar transistor (InGaP) power amplifier (PA) for 450 MHz CDMA applications provides handset manufacturers with a low-power quiescent current mode that is digitally controlled to reduce power drain on the system battery, resulting in additional talk time. "
Readers say: » "This semiconductor material has a great future and this product is a solid feature set for the global market."
USABILITY RANK: 9

(9)
SIGE SEMI
5-GHz power amp module targets next wave WLAN systems
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "External harmonic filters are typically required when using a power amplifier. However, SiGe's RangeCharger SE2534A includes harmonic filtering, resulting in savings to Wi-Fi equipment makers. "
Readers say:
USABILITY RANK: 10

(10)
HITTITE MICROWAVE CORP.
SiGe HBT dual channel gain block amplifiers ideal for wireless infrastructure
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Two SiGe HBT Dual Channel Gain Block MMIC SMT amplifiers are ideal for wireless infrastructure/handhelds, test equipment, microwave radio and military COTS applications from DC to 5 GHz. "
Readers say: » "Nice stats for a very easy to use package."
USABILITY RANK: 8