Broadband wireless and wireline communications component maker Anadigics Inc of Warren, NJ, USA is shipping its AWL5911 802.11ac WiFi power amplifier (PA) in volume for use in TRENDnet's new AC3200 TEW-828DRU tri-band wireless router. Showcased at January's 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the high-performance router features all gigabit Ethernet ports, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, and six separate antennas to support ultra-performance 802.11ac connectivity.
"WiFi routers and access points are a critical part of the connectivity infrastructure both inside and outside the home," says Alex Miller, product marketing manager for WiFi Products at Anadigics. "As the total number of connected devices increases, it's essential for a WiFi network to maintain a rich overall user experience," he adds. Operating at frequencies of 4900-5900MHz, the AWL5911 provides what is claimed to be exceptional linearity, output power and gain to help TRENDnet's AC3200 tri-band router deliver high-throughput connectivity at extended ranges even in crowded WiFi network situations.
The AC3200 TEW-828DRU router uses six AWL5911 amplifiers in each unit to drive high power in the 5GHz band to each of six antennas. The simultaneous operation of multiple transmit chains puts tremendous emphasis on power amplifier operating efficiency, ensuring good system thermal management without expensive heat sinking.
Anadigics' family of 802.11ac WiFi power amplifiers for infrastructure applications leverages the firm's patented InGaP-Plus technology and unique design architectures. The AWL5911 power amplifier in particular delivers 33dB of linear power gain and 1.8% EVM (error vector magnitude) at +22dBm output power with what is claimed to be best-in-class power efficiency to provide improved thermal operation. It also features an internal digital PA-enable interface that eliminates the need for an external buffer amplifier, as well as a high-precision integrated detector that facilitates accurate power control over varying load conditions (3:1 VSWR) as well as extending the dynamic range. In addition, the compact 4mm x 4mm x 0.8mm QFN package includes RF ports internally matched to 50 Ohms and DC blocked in order to reduce PCB space requirements.
