Front-End Module Serves 900-MHz ISM Band

Aug. 19, 2010

WITH ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI) and other applications in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band gaining in popularity, the RF3858 front-end module is a promising solution for portable equipment in need of size reduction. It also reduces the number of components outside of the core chipset. The RF3858 contains a power amplifier (PA) transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) transfer switch, low-noise amplifier (LNA) with bypass mode, and matching components. That LNA operates on DC supply current of 32 mA and +5 dBm input power. The 1-W, 915-MHz PA can deliver +31.5 dBm output power. Aside from the LNA, the PA is combined with a double-pole double-throw (DPDT) Tx/Rx transfer switch and a Tx harmonic filter. The module offers 27 dB gain with a noise figure of 1.3 dB. P&A: available now; $2.28 in 10,000Q.

RF Micro Devices, Inc., 7628 Thorndike Rd., Greensboro, NC 27409-9421; (336) 664-1233, Internet: www.rfmd.com.

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About the Author

Nancy Friedrich | RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense, Keysight Technologies

Nancy Friedrich is RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense at Keysight Technologies. Nancy Friedrich started a career in engineering media about two decades ago with a stint editing copy and writing news for Electronic Design. A few years later, she began writing full time as technology editor at Wireless Systems Design. In 2005, Nancy was named editor-in-chief of Microwaves & RF, a position she held (along with other positions as group content head) until 2018. Nancy then moved to a position at UBM, where she was editor-in-chief of Design News and content director for tradeshows including DesignCon, ESC, and the Smart Manufacturing shows.