March 05, 2009
Report: Dual-Mode Power Amplifiers Boost GaAs Industry
By Jayashree Adkoli, TMCnet Contributor
A new Strategy Analytics report, entitled, "GaAs Device Suppliers Offer Dual-Mode Solutions at MWC," indicated that the availability of dual-mode power amplifiers (PAs) will give a hands-up for the GaAs industry.
In general, Gallium arsenide (GaAs) is a compound of gallium and arsenic, and a semiconductor that is extensively used to make devices such as microwave frequency integrated circuits, infrared light-emitting diodes, laser diodes and solar cells.
The cellular market remains the key driver for the GaAs industry and power amplifiers are important hardware components of advanced mobile devices.
A previous report by Strategy Analytics (News - Alert), stated, “ It is becoming increasingly expensive for component suppliers to participate in the cellular handset market with module and packaging capabilities required alongside the basic semiconductor technology offerings of FETs, pHEMTs and HBTs. Even companies that are able to address all the growing list of requirements should look to being able to target diverse markets to offset swings in demand from the commoditized cellular handset market.”
Nowadays, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) frequency bands are in excess. The GaAs industry has to address the needs of the industry by offering solutions that provide the widest possible operational range, while still continuing to reduce size and cost.
In this regard, both RFMD and TriQuint announced the forthcoming availability of dual-mode power amplifier solutions at 2009 Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) (MWC).
"Dual-mode PA solutions offer the potential to reduce footprint and cost in W-EDGE cellphones by allowing a single amplification element to do the job of two," said Asif Anwar at Strategy Analytics. "Based on the announcements at MWC, TriQuint and RFMD (News - Alert) are leading the industry in the development of dual mode solutions with product shipments expected in 2010."
Strategy Analytics also indicated other key announcements in the GaAs industry, such as Anadigics releasing several power amplifier modules for multimode 3G, LTE (long term evolution) and WiMAX (News - Alert) mobile devices. In addition, Avago Technologies announced a low noise amplifier module for use in wireless infrastructure applications, while Skyworks unveiled a portfolio of power amplifiers and front-end modules - for LTE (News - Alert) (long term evolution).
Strategy Analytics is a provider of strategic and tactical support for business planners. It focuses on areas of automotive electronics and entertainment, broadband connected home, mobile and wireless intelligent systems and virtual worlds.
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Jayashree Adkoli is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Jayashree's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Michelle Robart
