Analog Devices, Inc, manufacturer of amplifier ICs for the entire radio frequency signal chain, introduced the ADL5321, a new high-performance, low power RF driver amplifier that brings together the industry’s best combination of power and performance in 2.3-GHz to 4.0-GHz wireless infrastructure designs for LTE, WiMAX and WiBro applications. The ADL5321 increases signal linearity, and consumes less power, relative to competing RF amplifiers. When implemented in a system, such as a base station, radio, or satellite equipment, the ADL5321 eliminates up to four external passive components, which eases design complexity and enables RF designers to more quickly bring cost-effective, highly-efficient wireless infrastructure equipment to market.

With an output OIP3 of 40 dBm and output compression point of 25 dBm at 2600 MHz, the ADL5321 driver provides the highest linear output drive level for a given transmitted output power. Consuming just 84 mA, which is a 30% to 50% power savings over competing devices, the ADL5321 also features on-chip active bias circuitry, which further reduces the external component count. The driver amplifier’s Class 3A, 4 kV,electrostatic discharge rating also provides an exemplary degree of robustness for high volume manufacturing.

For lower frequency applications the ADL5321 has a companion product, the ADL5320, which operates across a 400 MHz to 2700 MHz frequency range. The ADL5320 also offers the advantageous combination of high performance and low power consumption. Both driver amplifiers complement ADI’s growing RF amplifier portfolio, which also includes low noise amplifiers, intermediate frequency amplifiers, gain blocks, and power amplifiers.

Combined with ADI’s industry-leading RF power detectors, modulators, demodulators, mixers and synthesizer products, the ADL5321 allows designers to implement complete signal chain solutions, simplifying the design process, streamlining supply chain logistics and shortening time to market. When coupled with ADI’s other RFICs, the ADL5321 enables the design and implementation of advanced RF radio architectures for a wide range of performance-driven applications.