Qorvo, a leading supplier of RF solutions in mobile applications, infrastructure and aerospace, and defense applications , Inc. (Nasdaq code: QRVO) today announced the launch of a compact three-chip power supply solution for phased array radar. The three-chip solution provides configurable automatic calibration of GaN bias points, enabling engineers to maximize the system performance of different GaN power amplifiers (PA) without changing the circuit board design.
Qorvos new chipset optimizes one of the largest and most expensive components in the phased array system-pulse energy storage capacitor. The solution adopts innovative architecture, which reduces capacitance by 90%, system volume by 30%, and reduces weight and operating costs.
Philip Chesley, president of Qorvos basic equipment and defense products, said: "This complete radar power solution integrates Qorvos advanced technology and combines innovative power conversion architecture, first-class GaN RF power amplifier and efficient and reliable silicon carbide FET."
The new three-chip solution includes the following:
• ACT43950 is a high-voltage constant-current capacitor charging controller, which can be used with Qorvos silicon carbide power switch to provide fully programmable output voltage and current, enabling customers to maximize system performance. The structure of the voltage regulator is combined with the subsequent stages to minimize the requirements of the energy storage capacitor.
• ACT43850 is a RF load point (RFPoL) step-down DC-DC power converter, which can obtain the output of ACT43950 and reduce it to a stable voltage optimized for Qorvo GaN power amplifier. Its advanced configuration options enable RF system designers to minimize noise and electromagnetic interference, thus maximizing the performance of the radar array.
• ACT43750 is a highly integrated drain switch and negative gate regulator PMIC, which can realize the drain switch of ultra-fast RF GaN power amplifier. By automatically performing grid voltage bias sequencing, automatic calibration and dynamic bias recalibration, Qorvo simplifies system manufacturing and reduces the impact of device aging and temperature on RF performance.
Qorvo provides an evaluation board (CB1-750-850-950). Customers can test the performance of this three-chip solution through various RF GaN power amplifiers. The evaluation board has an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI). The customer can reconfigure the default settings to optimize the performance of its specific power amplifier, reflecting the reduction of large capacitance requirements and the automatic calibration of grid bias. The evaluation board adopts flexible design, and can evaluate each stage or the whole three-chip solution through a RF power amplifier, thus reducing the time to market.
About Qorvo
Qorvo (Nasdaq code: QRVO) has long insisted on providing innovative RF solutions to achieve a better interconnected world. We combine our products and leading technical advantages, with system-level expertise and global manufacturing scale, to quickly solve customers' most complex technical problems. Qorvo serves the global market, including advanced wireless equipment, wired and wireless networks, and air defense radar and communication systems. We continue to maintain a leading edge in these areas of rapid development and growth. We also use our unique competitive advantages to promote 5G network, cloud computing, Internet of Things and other emerging application markets to realize the global interconnection of people, places and things. Visit cn.qorvo.com to learn how Qorvo can create a better connected world.