ANADIGICS, Inc. launched a new high power, dual-band front end integrated circuit (FEIC) designed to address the growing demand for WiFi capability in size-constrained mobile electronics. The AWL9966 is an integrated device that provides, in one 4 x 4 x 0.6 mm package, the RF amplifiers and switches required for a compact, high-performance WiFi front end, complete with an integrated Bluetooth path. Leveraging ANADIGICS' RF expertise, the AWL9966 delivers leading noise figures, RF gain and linear output power to enable the WiFi solutions required for the rapidly growing WiFi-enabled wireless handset market.

According to a recent report from ABI Research, shipments of Wi-Fi-enabled cellular handsets will double in volume by the end of 2010, compared to January 2008, and this growth curve is expected to continue through 2013. In addition, In-Stat reports that cellular/Wi-Fi handsets will surpass mobile PCs as the largest category of WiFi-enabled devices by 2011.

Supporting the 802.11n (MIMO) WiFi standard, and optimized for transmit and receive applications in both the 2.4GHz (802.11b/g) and 5GHz (802.11a) bands, the AWL9966 uses ANADIGICS' design expertise to incorporates dual-band power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, and RF switches into a single 4mm x 4mm x 0.6mm package. The LNAs include a bypass feature to support wide dynamic range operation in receive mode, and the device is fully matched at all RF input and outputs to 50 Ohms, eliminating the need for external matching components. The AWL9966 also integrates a Bluetooth RF switch path to enable both Bluetooth and WiFi operation from a shared antenna with no external switching devices. The high level of integration and small packaging of the AWL9966 greatly simplifies the design of size-constrained WiFi-enabled products.

AWL9966 Product Specs Highlights:
- 18 dBm of linear output power for 802.11a at 3% EVM with 160 mA total current
- 20 dBm of linear output power for 802.11g at 3% EVM with 190 mA total current
- 31 dB of linear power gain at 2.4GHz and 5GHz
- 2.6 dB total noise figure at 2.4GHz with 12 dB gain
- 3.0 dB total noise figure at 5.5GHz with 14 dB gain
- Ultra-low insertion loss of 0.8 dB in the Bluetooth Tx/Rx path

The AWL9966 is sampling now. For additional product information, pricing or samples, contact your local ANADIGICS representative.