A Single Chip 802.11abgn Enhancement Mode PHEMT MMIC with dual LNAs, Switches, and Distortion Compensation Power Amplifiers

An enhancement mode PHEMT MMIC with integrated dual low noise amplifiers, dual switches, and dual distortion compensation power amplifiers is presented. It is used in an 802.11abgn FEM (front end module) which further integrates the antenna diplexer, LNA post filters, PA pre-filters, and baluns. The LNAs provide less than 1.2 dB noise figure in the 2.4/5-6 GHz receive chains at 16 dB gain and 10 mA. The switches can handle up to 30 dBm peak power with less than 1.4 dB loss and with 25 dB isolation. The power amplifier section provides fully matched 26 dB gain with 25 dBm of saturated power. In the 802.11g 2.4GHz transmit mode the MMIC gives over 20 Bm linear power out under 54 Mbps OFDM, at 4% EVM, while drawing only 123 mA of peak current. In the 802.11 a 5-6 GHz transmit mode the MMIC gives over 20 dBm linear power out under 54 Mbps OFDM at 6% EVM while drawing 149 mA of peak current. The MMIC has integrated all control functions for power down and mode select; while the power amplifiers have integrated directional couplers and temperature compensated power detection. This is the highest integration and performance level combination known to be published for 802.11abgn application specific integrated circuits.