A Complete Antenna-to-CMOS 4×6mm Front End Module for Dual Band 802.11abgn WLAN

A complete antenna-to-CMOS FEM (front end module) is described. Its simple assembly belies the high integration level of diplexer, switches, LNAs, linear PAs, load insensitive power detection, baluns, post and pre filtering. The active components are based on enhancement mode PHEMT while filtering and 4 times 6 mm substrate are in plastic encapsulated LTCC. The FEMS covers 802.11 abgn 2.4 GHz and 5-6 GHz bands. The receiver gives 10 dB and 4.9 dB total gain and NF at 10 mA in band. The transmitter gives 22 dB gain and 17dBm power out while less than -22 dB EVM at 165 mA and meeting spectral emission masking. Above data includes all diplexer, baluns, and filtering, directional couplers, referenced power detection, DC chokes and bypassing, and CMOS compatible logic for power down and linearity mode select. The final FEM has only 2 MMICs and a substrate to give this solution high reliability and low cost.