News & Events
Xicor® Introduces Dynamic RF Amplifier Bias Controller
--Innovative X9470 Architecture enables Open or Closed Loop Adaptive Bias Control
MILPITAS, California - February 25, 2003 - Xicor, Inc. (Nasdaq: XICO), a leading supplier of programmable mixed-signal integrated circuits, today introduced the X9470 RF Power Amplifier Bias Controller. The X9470 integrates onto a single chip all of the critical functional elements needed to provide system designers with an easily implemented solution for optimizing LDMOS Power Amplifier performance.
During a closed-loop calibration operation, performed between RF bursts, the instrumentation amplifier senses the power amplifier bias current and compares this with the desired value stored in EEPROM. A corrected bias voltage is then applied to the LDMOS power amplifier through the output amplifier that has low output resistance and thus allows a simplification of the external low-pass filter. In this way the LDMOS bias current can be typically maintained to within 4% of its desired value over time and temperature thereby improving the power amplifier performance. Consequently this reduces the complexity of the power amplifier design. The flexibility of the X9470 architecture also enables openloop calibration reducing test time and eliminating manual calibration procedures.
Jules Farago, Marketing Manager for Xicor, stated, "The X9470 is the industry's first fully integrated single chip solution designed specifically to provide the designer with full flexibility for monitoring and optimizing the operating bias of RF Power Amplifiers in CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, EDGE, UMTS or other similar Base Station applications. The X9470 will work with 2G, 2.5G and 3G systems as well as point to multipoint and wireless local loop systems."
Production quantities for the X9470 are available in 24-lead TSSOP packaging with pricing starting at $4.60 USD in 1,000 unit quantities.
Summary of Features: X9470 Bias Controller IC for Class A and AB LDMOS Power Amplifiers
- Bias circuit design and parametric analysis is simplified by Xicors
X9470Ô development
and evaluation tool. - Automatic Bias Point Tracking and Calibration
- Drain current (IDQ) monitoring and tracking
- Programmable Instrumentation Amplifier to Scale Wide Range of IDQ
- Programmable Bias Driver with ultra stable output buffer
- All Programmable settings are nonvolatile
- Instrumentation Amplifier output available for diagnostics
- 30V Maximum VDD
- 2 Wire Interface for Programming Bias Setting and Optimizing IDQ Set Point
- Bias Error Direction Flag
- Shutdown Control pin for PA Signal
- Slave address to allow control of multiple LDMOS devices in a single amplifier
- Application: Cellular Base Stations (GSM, UMTS, EDGE), TDD applications
- Point-to-multipoint, and other RF power transmission systems
- 24-pinTSSOP
Xicor designs, develops, and markets a wide variety of programmable mixed-signal integrated circuits and nonvolatile memory products used in networking, computing, communication and industrial applications. The Companys products include digitally controlled potentiometers and system management ICs that allow system designers to digitally control analog functions in signal processing, microprocessor monitoring and power management. Xicor product, corporate and financial information is readily available on the World Wide Web at http://www.xicor.com
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks may include the impact of competing products and pricing, timely design acceptance by our customers, timely ability to ramp new products into volume production, industry wide shifts in supply and demand for semiconductor products, and other risks detailed from time to time in Xicor's SEC filings.
"Xicor" is a registered trademark and "XDCP" is a trademark belonging to Xicor Inc.All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.
