Peregrine PE46120 phase and amplitude controller

The PE46120 is a monolithic phase and amplitude controller (MPAC) from Peregrine Semiconductor. The product covers a frequency range of 1.8 to 2.2 GHz and integrates a 90° hybrid splitter, digital phase shifters and a digital step attenuator (DSA), along with a low-voltage CMOS serial interface.

The MPAC is designed for precise phase and amplitude control of two independent RF paths, making it suitable for Doherty power amplifiers. It optimises system performance while reducing manufacturing costs of transmitters that use symmetric or asymmetric Doherty PA designs to efficiently process signals with large peak-to-average ratios.

The device can cover a phase range of 87.2° in 2.8° steps and an attenuation range of 7.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps, while providing good phase and amplitude accuracy from 1.8 to 2.2 GHz. It is said to feature good linearity, high output port-to-port isolation and low power consumption relative to competing modules. It is offered in a 32-lead 6 x 6 mm QFN package.

The product is manufactured on Peregrine’s UltraCMOS process, a variation of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology on a sapphire substrate, offering the performance of GaAs with the economy and integration of conventional CMOS. The company’s HaRP technology enhancements deliver high linearity and good harmonics performance.