Analog Devices Inc. recently introduced power measurement ICs (integrated circuits) for cellular handsets, claiming to be the Industry's smallest. Adding to its extensive portfolio of RF (radio frequency) ICs, ADI has developed new power detector and power controller ICs that offer high accuracy and temperature stability in tiny, 0.6 mm-thick packages. The devices use precision circuit design to accurately measure and control transmitter output signals independent of temperature variations, helping to reduce power consumption and making them essential components in cellular handsets.

The ADL5500 rms power detector is optimized for CDMA,  TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000® (including 1xEV-DO),and W-CDMA cellular handsets, as well as for terminal devices for WiMAX, 802.16, and emerging wireless systems with high-crest-factor waveforms. The ADL5500 is up to five times more accurate, offers up to 10 times better temperature stability and, with its ultra-small, 1 mm × 1 mm package, reduces the board space requirement by more than one-half compared to competitive products. The AD8311 power controller is designed for GSM/GPRS cellular handsets.

“Accurate power measurement and control are critical to lowering power consumption, improving system performance and ensuring regulatory compliance for wireless applications,” said Jay Cormier, product line director, linear products, Analog Devices. “For cellular handsets packed with increasing numbers of power-demanding features, the AD8311 and ADL5500 offer high accuracy and the smallest size to help maintain competitive form factors and keep current drain to a minimum.”

About ADL5500: The ADL5500 rms TruPwr™ Power Detector is the newest member of ADI’s TruPwr™ family of detectors, which are optimized to measure complex waveforms at RF frequencies and deliver an accurately scaled dc voltage that is the true RMS (root mean square) equivalent of the input waveform. The ADL5500 further reduces board area with on-chip integration of an ac coupling capacitor, a 50-ohm matching resistor, and a filter capacitor. The device’s high level of accuracy (+/– 0.25 dB linear response up to 2.5 GHz) and superior temperature stability over a wide range of temperatures (0.1 dB variation over the –40 degrees C to +85 degrees C range) eases the design and manufacture of cellular handsets by reducing the calibration burden. The ADL5500 requires a single supply between 2.7 V and 5.5 V and consumes only 3.3 mW at 3 V. The ability to measure 100 MHz to 6 GHz signals with varying crest factors makes the ADL5500 ideal for CDMA, TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000,  and W-CDMA cellular handsets, as well as emerging broadband wireless standards, such as 802.16.

About AD8311: The AD8311 Power Controller is a logarithmic power controller that provides precise control of RF power amplifiers (PA) operating in the frequency range of 100 MHz to 2.5 GHz and over a typical 45-dB dynamic range. The high sensitivity of the AD8311 allows measurement at low power levels, thus reducing the amount of power being coupled to the detector. The device also offers low power consumption of only 8.5 mA from a 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply. The small size, high accuracy, excellent temperature stability over the range of –40 degrees C to +85 degrees C, and wide dynamic range make the AD8311 well suited for GSM/GPRS cellular handsets and other applications that require transmit power control.

Pricing and Availability
The ADL5500 is sampling now, with production quantities scheduled for July 2005, and is priced at 90 cents per unit in 10,000-piece quantities. The AD8311 is available now and is priced at $1.20 per unit in 10,000-piece quantities.

TruPwr™ is a trademark, and Othello® is a registered trademark of Analog Devices, Inc. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners.

Editor's Contact Information:
Charlotte Betterley
781/937-1710
781/937-1026
charlotte.betterley@analog.com