New device supports operation at 8 GHz with power handling of +28 dBm
San Diego, California, June 4, 2013 — Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: PSMI), a fabless provider of high-performance radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), today announced from booth #1811 at the International Microwave Symposium in Seattle that it has expanded its line of high- frequency products with a precision 7-bit Digital Step Attenuator (DSA). Complementing Peregrine’s PE42520 and PE42521 high-frequency RF switches announced today, the PE43704 DSA supports monotonic operation at 8 GHz, with high power handling of +28 dBm. The UltraCMOS® technology-based DSA features HaRP™ technology, resulting in high linearity of IIP3 of +61 dBm at 8 GHz. The new DSA is ideal for high-frequency and high-power applications in the test-and-measurement market, such as Automatic Test Equipment, signal sources, spectrum analyzers, and communication testers.
“Components in the RF signal chain inside test-and-measurement products must have higher linearity and performance than the systems they are measuring,” said Mark Schrepferman, director of the commercial and industrial product line with Peregrine’s High-Performance Solutions business unit. “With its high-power and high-frequency capabilities, and high linearity, the PE43704 DSA addresses these requirements.”
The PE43704 DSA is serial addressable and features multiple programming modes, including serial, direct parallel, and latched parallel, making it easy to design it into a wide range of systems. The device has high monotonic attenuation performance of 0.25 dB up to 6 GHz, and 1.0 dB up to 8 GHz, which improves instrument sensitivity and performance. Fast settling time of 2 microseconds saves costs by reducing overall test time. ESD protection of 2 kV HBM eases manufacturing and prolongs the life of the end product. 1.8V/3.3V control logic support makes it easy to integrate the DSA with the latest FPGAs. High integration in a single package eliminates the need for the discrete components and bias circuits that are required with pin-diode solutions, further easing design and reducing board space.
Development Tool Support
Peregrine also announced availability of the PE43704 Evaluation Kit, today. The kit can be ordered today from Peregrine’s global direct sales representatives and worldwide distribution partners.
Packaging, Pricing & Availability
The PE43704 DSA is available in a 32-lead, 5 mm x 5 mm QFN package. Samples can be ordered today and volume-production quantities can be ordered in late June, from Peregrine’s global direct sales representatives and worldwide distribution partners.
About Peregrine Semiconductor
Peregrine Semiconductor (NASDAQ: PSMI) is a fabless provider of high-performance radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs). Our solutions leverage our proprietary UltraCMOS® technology, an advanced RF Silicon-On-Insulator process. Our products deliver what we believe is an industry- leading combination of performance and monolithic integration, and target a broad range of applications in the aerospace and defense, broadband, industrial, mobile wireless device, test and measurement equipment, and wireless infrastructure markets. Additional information is available at https://www.psemi.com.
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The Peregrine Semiconductor name, logo, and UltraCMOS are registered trademarks of Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation in the U.S.A., and other countries. HaRP is a trademark of Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation in the U.S.A., and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.