Power Amplifiers For Wireless Devices

The power amplifiers work with dual-cell batteries, supporting two-way radios and wireless devices with broad frequency support and high efficiency.

CML Micro has expanded its SµRF product line with two high-efficiency power amplifiers for dual-cell lithium battery-powered wireless devices. The CMX90A007 is a high-gain, two-stage Gallium Arsenide Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor amplifier. It functions as a standalone final-stage power amplifier or a driver for the CMX90A009, a thermally optimised single-stage GaAs HBT power amplifier for high-power transmit chains. Both devices operate across a broad frequency range of 136–1,000 MHz, making them suitable for applications like two-way radios.

These QFN and DFN-packaged amplifiers are designed for thermal efficiency and integration into space-constrained PCBs. Their off-chip matching feature allows designers to optimize performance for various applications, including critical communications handsets, private and land-mobile radios (PMR and LMR), two-way radios, and wireless data modem networks. With these additions, CML Micro now offers a complete chipset solution for two-way radios and similar systems.

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The power amplifier delivers +33.5 dBm (2.2W) output power with over 55% efficiency at 435 MHz and 7.4V, while the CMX90A009 provides +40.0 dBm (10W) output power with over 60% efficiency under the same conditions.

Operating within a 6.0V to 9.5V supply range, these amplifiers can run directly from a dual-cell lithium battery without a voltage regulator. An integrated active bias circuit ensures temperature compensation, simplifying design integration for portable communications devices.

“There has been a lot of obsolescence in the market for power amplifiers that offer high performance around 7.5V operation,” says Rob Smith, Product Line Director at CML Micro. “This has created supply chain issues that have caused a lot of challenges for many organisations, such as two-way radio manufacturers. We are introducing highly integrated single- and two-stage power amplifiers based on Gallium Arsenide technology designed to work together. We aim to support the market for many years.”