+22.5dBm LINEAR PA FOR IEEE 802.11b WLAN MEASURES ONLY 1.5mm x 2.0mm
SUNNYVALE, CA-February 1, 2001-Maxim Integrated Products introduces the industry's smallest linear power amplifier (PA) designed for 2.4GHz WLAN applications. The MAX2242 PA is packaged in the ultra-small 3x4 chip-scale package (CSP) measuring only 1.5mm x 2.0mm, making it ideal for portable WLAN radios built in small PC card and compact flash card form factors. The small, yet high-performance PA delivers 28.5dB gain and +22.5dBm linear output power with ACPR of up to 33dBc first side lobe and up to 56dBc second side lobe, compliant with the IEEE 802.11b 11MB/s WLAN standard with at least 3dB margin. This high output power exceeds the current PRISMTM II PA output by 4.5dB, which improves the radio range by 30% for indoor WLAN applications.
The MAX2242 PA integrates a three-stage power amplifier, power detector, and power management circuitry. The power detector provides over 15dB of dynamic range with ±1dB accuracy at the highest output power level, allowing an accurate automatic level control (ALC) function to be easily implemented.
The PA also features an external bias control pin. Through the use of an external DAC, the current can be throttled back at lower output power levels while maintaining sufficient ACPR performance. As a result, highest possible efficiency is maintained at all power levels.
The device operates on a single +2.7V to +3.6V supply. An on-chip shutdown feature reduces operating current to 0.5µA, eliminating the need for an external supply switch. Pricing starts at $1.97 (1000-up, FOB USA). A fully assembled evaluation kit (MAX2242EVKIT) is available to help reduce design time.
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