M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc of Lowell,MA,USA(which makes analog semiconductors,components and subassemblies for RF,microwave and millimeter-wave applications)has launched a EQAM(quadrature amplitude modulation)variable gain amplifier(VGA)for CATV applications.
The MAAM-010399 is an integrated three-stage differential amplifier with an embedded voltage variable attenuator(VVA)to provide continuous power level control.The device serves as the output amplifier in a downstream EQAM RF modulator.It offers very high linearity,operating off a single 6V supply,with a nominal power consumption of less than 5.5W,says the firm.
"The MAAM-010399 simplifies CATV head-end design by integrating multiple gain stages and a highly linear voltage variable attenuator into a compact 5mm x 7mm[40-lead]PQFN package,"says product manager Graham Board."This variable gain amplifier exceeds DOCSIS 3.0 DFRI specifications and is an ideal solution for EdgeQAM,Cable Modem Termination System(CMTS)and Ethernet-over-Coax(EOC)infrastructure applications,"he claims.
The differential VGA is characterized in 75 ohms and designed for operation from 50 to 1100MHz.The MAAM-010399 simplifies the RF implementation and exceeds DOCSIS DRFI specifications with 7dB typical performance margin.Exhibiting a high gain of 28dB,the VGA displays an input and output return loss of 20dB and an attenuation range of 25dB.It also has low harmonics,with 2nd and 3rd harmonics of-65dBc.
