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 1.2dB noise figure in the 2.4/5-6GHz receive chains at 16dB gain and 10mA. The switches can handle up to 30dBm peak power with less than 1.4dB loss and with 25dB isolation. The power amplifier section provides fully matched 26dB gain with 25dBm of saturated power. In the 802.11g 2.4GHz transmit mode the MMIC gives over 20dBm linear power out under 54Mbps OFDM, at 4% EVM, while drawing only 123mA of peak current. In the 802.11a 5-6 GHz transmit mode the MMIC gives over 20dBm linear power out under 54 Mbps OFDM, at 6% EVM while drawing 149mA 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.