Abstract: An overview of Maxim's RF power amplifier (PA) products targeted towards cellular, PCS, 802.11a/b/g, cordless phone and Bluetooth applications. Table compares operating voltage, supply current, output power, package, power added efficiency, and features of Maxim PA ICs. Another table assists selection by market application. Additional Information: Wireless Product Line Page Quick View Data Sheet for the MAX2240 Quick View Data Sheet for the MAX2264/MAX2265 Quick View Data Sheet for the MAX2267/MAX2268/MAX2269 Quick View Data Sheet for the MAX2320/MAX2321/MAX2322/MAX2324/MAX2326/MAX2327 Quick View Data Sheet for the MAX2430 Quick View Data Sheet for the MAX2601/MAX2602 Applications Technical Support Maxim's RF power amplifiers (PAs) address both linear-modulation formats, such as QAM and QPSK, and nonlinear modulation, such as FM and FSK. PAs designed for the TDMA markets have improved performance features like auto-ramping to reduce spectral splatter. Auto-ramping helps keep a steady VCC and reduce VCO pulling. Automatic thermal protection is available to temporarily reduce output power yielding a very robust PA. PAs for the CDMA markets have been optimized to achieve the lowest current draw in the most probable operating output power levels for urban and suburban CDMA environments. CDMA PAs spend most of their time in the lower output power settings. For 2.4GHz ISM applications such as 802.11b WLAN, Bluetooth, HomeRF, and cordless phones, Maxim provides low-cost, ultra-small power amplifiers in the ultra-chip scale package. These PAs feature analog or digital power control, closed-loop power control, dynamic bias control, integrated detector, and high efficiency performance. These are some of the key advantages offered by silicon bipolar RF power amplifiers: Lower cost, due to higher die yield and simple device fabrication (compared to Heterojunction devices) Small solution size due to the ultra-chip scale package and minimal external components No negative bias supply required, such as for many GaAs amplifiers Robust device performance over temperature and load variations Auto-ramping feature The table below shows a sampling of our power amplifiers and their capabilities to date. Note that several of these PAs have been re-tuned to specific performance characteristics and at center frequencies other than as shown. Table 1. Selector Guide: A Sampling Part VCC (V) ICC (mA) Frequency (MHz) POUT (dBm) Class Package PAE (full) PAE (derated) Features MAX2235 2.7 to 5.5 20 idle 610 full 800 to 1000 +30.3 C 20-Pin TSSOP-EP 47% 22% +24dBm Analog Gain Control, Auto Power Ramp, Shutdown MAX2430 3.0 to 5.5 52 800 to 1000 +21.4 AB 16-Pin SO/QSOP 24% NA Power Control, Shutdown, Drives MAX2601/02 MAX2601 2.7 to 5.5 450 DC to 1000 +30.0 AB/C 8-Pin PSOPII 54% 18% +20dBm Power Transistor MAX2602 2.7 to 5.5 450 DC to 1000 +30.0 AB/C 8-Pin PSOPII 54% 18% +20dBm Power Transistor with On-Chip Bias Diode, Power Ramp, Shutdown MAX2264 2.7 to 5.0 34 idle, 58 avg, 95 full 824 to 849 +28.0 AB 16-Pin TSSOP-EP 32% 12% +16dBm IS-98 CDMA U.S., Internal Switch, Smallest, Most Economical Solution MAX2265 2.7 to 5.0 83 full 824 to 849 +28.0 AB 16-Pin TSSOP-EP 37% 7% +16dBm IS-98 CDMA U.S., TDMA PAE = 40% at +30dBm MAX2266 2.7 to 5.0 34 idle, 52 avg, 100 full 824 to 849 +28.0 AB 16-Pin TSSOP-EP 32% 17% +16dBm IS-98 CDMA U.S., Off-Chip Switch, Lowest Current MAX2267 2.7 to 4.5 34 idle, 56 avg, 95 full 887 to 925 +27.0 AB 16-Pin TSSOP-EP 28% 12% +17dBm IS-98 CDMA Japan, Internal Switch, Smallest, Most Economical Solution MAX2268 2.7 to 4.5 90 idle 887 to 925 +27.0 AB 16-Pin TSSOP-EP 34% 7% +13.6dBm IS-98 CDMA Japan, PDC PAE = 41% at +29dBm MAX2269 2.7 to 4.5 34 idle, 50 avg, 100 full 887 to 925 +27.0 AB 16-Pin TSSOP-EP 29% 17% +17dBm IS-98 CDMA Japan, Off-Chip Switch, Lowest Current MAX2240 2.7 to 5.0 65 idle 105 full 2400 to 2500 +20 AB UCSP 3x3 30% NA Bluetooth PA with Digital Power Control, Shutdown MAX2242 2.7 to 3.6 280 idle 300 full 2400 to 2500 +22.5 AB UCSP 3x4 17% Pin= -7dBm 315mA 6.7% +13dBm +22.5dBm Output Power at -33dBc ACPR for 802.11b 28.5dB Power Gain External Bias Control for Current Throttleback On-Chip Power Detector Output Power Tunable from +10dBm to +22dBm MAX2244 3.0 to 3.6 65 idle 172 full 2400 to 2500 +22 AB UCSP 3x3 34.2% NA Integrated Input Match Internal Bandwidth-Limited Power Ramping Power Control Range: 0.5V to 2.0V Supply Current = 170mA at +22dBm MAX2245 3.0 to 3.6 65 idle 179 full 2400 to 2500 +22 AB UCSP 3x3 29.2% NA Integrated Input Match Internal Bandwidth-Limited Power Ramping Power Control Range: 0.9V to 2.0V Supply Current = 170mA at +22dBm MAX2246 3.0 to 3.6 42 idle 118 full 2400 to 2500 +20 AB UCSP 3x3 27.8% NA Integrated Input Match Internal Bandwidth-Limited Power Ramping Power Control Range: 0.5V to 2.0V MAX2247 2.7 to 3.6 293 idle 390 full 2400 to 2500 +25 AB UCSP 3x4 24.5% 21% +22.5dBm High Linear Output Power: +25dBm with < -33dBc ACPR (1st side lobe) and < -55dBc ACPR (2nd side lobe) (802.11b) +17dBm and 3%EVM (802.11g) 25% Efficiency with Linear Output Power 29dB Power Gain On-Chip Power Detector External Bias Control for Current Throttleback On-Chip Input Matching 0.5µA Shutdown Mode MAX2251 2.8 to 4.5 205 idle 1029 full 824 to 849 +32.4 AMPS +30 TDMA AB UCSP 3x4 51% AMPS 41% TDMA 38% +30dBm AMPS Gain: 28dB Integrated Power Detector Low-Power Shutdown Mode PAE: 41% at +30dBm for TDMA PAE: 51% at +32.4dBm for AMPS MAX2840 2.7 to 3.6 120 idle 155 full 5150 to 5350 +15 A 12-UCSP- 1.52x2.02 6% NA High Linear Output Power +15dBm at 5.25 GHz (802.11a), 22dB Power gain, On-chip Power detector, Simple input/output matching, <10uA Shutdown current MAX2841 2.7 to 3.6 165 idle 260 full 5150 to 5350 +18 A 12-UCSP- 1.52x2.02 7% NA High Linear Output Power +18dBm at 5.25 GHz (802.11a), 22dB Power gain, On-chip Power detector, Simple input/output matching, <10uA Shutdown current Table 2. Selections by Market Market Part Advantages Specs Cellular CDMA (U.S.) MAX2265 Low-cost, Simple Layout, Few External Components, High-peak Efficiency Efficiency = 37% (ACPR = -45) Efficiency = 35% (ACPR = -48) MAX2264 MAX2266 Low-cost, World's Lowest Talk Current Talk Current=55mA 16dBm Efficiency =12/18% (2264/66) Peak Efficiency =32% MAX2251 Small Size Ultra-chip Scale Package (2.06mm x 2.06mm), Integrated Power Detector, Low-power Shutdown Mode Gain: 28dB PAE: 41% at +30dBm for TDMA PAE: 51% at +32.4dBm for AMPS CDMA (Japan) MAX2268 Low-cost, Simple Layout, Few External Components, High-peak Efficiency Efficiency = 37% (ACPR = -45) Efficiency = 35% (ACPR = -48) MAX2267 MAX2269 Low-cost, World's Lowest Talk Current Talk Current=55mA 16dBm Efficiency =12/18% (2264/66 and ACPR=-45) Peak Efficiency =33% (ACPR=-45) Cellular TDM MAX2251 Small Size Ultra-chip Scale Package (2.06mm x 2.06mm), Integrated Power Detector, Low-power Shutdown Mode Gain: 28dB PAE: 41% at +30dBm for TDMA PDC MAX2265 Low-cost, Simple Layout, Few External Components, High-peak Efficiency Efficiency=40% (ACPR=-28) POUT=30dBm AMPs MAX2251 Small Size Ultra-chip Scale Package (2.06mm x 2.06mm), Integrated Power Detector, Low-power Shutdown Mode Efficiency=51% POUT=32.4dBm MAX2265 Low-cost, Simple Layout, Few External Components, High-peak Efficiency PAE: 48% at +31.5dBm Output Power for AMPS WLL MAX2265 Low-cost, Simple Layout, Few External Components, High-peak Efficiency Efficiency=37% (ACPR=-45) Efficiency=35% (ACPR=-48) 900MHz ISM MAX2235 Analog Gain Control, Auto Power Ramp, Shutdown PAE: 47% at +30.3dBm Output Power MAX2251 Small Size Ultra-chip Scale Package (2.06mm x 2.06mm), Integrated Power Detector, Low-power Shutdown Mode Gain: 28dB PAE: 41% at +30dBm for TDMA PAE: 51% at +32.4dBm for AMPS Bluetooth HomeRF 2.4GHz DECT MAX2240 Small Size Ultra-chip Scale Package (1.56mm x 1.56mm), 2-bit Digital Power Control +20dBm, Efficiency =30% MAX2244 Closed-loop Analog Power Control, Small Size Ultra-chip Scale Package (1.56mm x 1.56mm) +22dBm, Efficiency = 34.2% Power control range 0.5V to 2V MAX2245 Closed-loop Analog Power Control, Small Size Ultra-chip Scale Package (1.56mm x 1.56mm) +22dBm, Efficiency = 29.2% Power control range 0.9V to 2V MAX2246 Closed-loop Analog Power Control, Small Size Ultra-chip Scale Package (1.56mm x 1.56mm) +20dBm, Efficiency = 27.8% Power control range 0.5V to 2V Cellular TDMA/AMPS Dual Mode MAX2251 Small Size Ultra-chip Scale Package (2.06mm x 2.06mm), Integrated Power Detector, Low-power Shutdown Mode Gain: 28dB PAE: 41% at +30dBm for TDMA PAE: 51% at +32.4dBm for AMPS 802.11b WLAN MAX2242 Integrated Power Detector, Dynamic Bias Control, Output Power Tunable from +10dBm to +22dBm +22.5dBm Output Power at -33dBc ACPR for 802.11B 28.5dB Power Gain 802.11b/g MAX2247 High linear output power, On-chip power detector, External DAC controllable Bias, On-chip input matching +25dBm Output Power for 802.11b, +17dBm output power at 3.0% EVM for 802.11g, 29dB Power Gain 802.11a MAX2840 High linear output power, On-chip power detector, Simple Matching External DAC controllable Bias +15dBm Output Power at 3.9% EVN for 802.11a, 22dBm power gain MAX2841 High linear output power, On-chip power detector, Simple Matching External DAC controllable Bias, +18dBm Output Power at 3.5% EVN for 802.11a, 22dBm power gain 16-pin PQSOP Package Outline 16/20-pin TSSOP-EP Package Outline 16-pin SO/QSOP Package Outline 8-pin PSOPII Package Outline 9-pin UCSP Package Outline 12-pin UCSP Package Outline 25-pin UCSP Package Outline We Want Your Feedback! 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More Information   APP 335: Oct 01, 2002 MAX2240 2.5GHz, +20dBm Power Amplifier IC in UCSP Package Full Data Sheet (PDF, 192kB) Free Samples MAX2251 +2.8V, Single-Supply, Cellular-Band Linear Power Amplifier Full Data Sheet (PDF, 208kB) MAX2264 2.7V, Single-Supply, Cellular-Band Linear Power Amplifiers Full Data Sheet (PDF, 232kB) Free Samples MAX2265 2.7V, Single-Supply, Cellular-Band Linear Power Amplifiers Full Data Sheet (PDF, 232kB) Free Samples MAX2267 +2.7V, Single-Supply, Cellular-Band Linear Power Amplifiers Full Data Sheet (PDF, 288kB) Free Samples MAX2268 +2.7V, Single-Supply, Cellular-Band Linear Power Amplifiers Full Data Sheet (PDF, 288kB) Free Samples MAX2269 +2.7V, Single-Supply, Cellular-Band Linear Power Amplifiers Full Data Sheet (PDF, 288kB) Free Samples MAX2322 Adjustable, High-Linearity, SiGe, Dual-Band, LNA/Mixer ICs Full Data Sheet (PDF, 436kB) Free Samples MAX2430 Low-Voltage Silicon RF Power-Amplifier Predriver Full Data Sheet (PDF, 192kB) MAX2601 3.6V, 1W RF Power Transistors for 900MHz Applications Full Data Sheet (PDF, 48kB) Free Samples MAX2602 3.6V, 1W RF Power Transistors for 900MHz Applications Full Data Sheet (PDF, 48kB) Free Samples   Download, PDF Format (46kB)  AN335, AN 335, APP335, Appnote335, Appnote 335