SatCon launching RF wireless amplifier for WLAN applications

Cambridge, Mass. – SatCon Technology Corp. announced on Feb. 26 that its Semiconductor Products business unit introduced a new high-speed, 5.7-gigahertz, radio frequency (RF) power amplifier for wireless large area network (WLAN) applications at the Wireless Systems Design Conference and Expo, Feb. 26-28, in San Jose, California.

SatCon explains that WLANs are communication systems that reduce the need for wired connections. They use data communication electronics similar to those used in satellite communications to operate at short ranges. Most WLAN-based systems use RF because radio waves can penetrate indoor walls and surfaces. The range, or coverage area, for typical wireless devices vary in ranges up to 500 feet, but they can be extended. These WLANs can be used to link computers, systems and devices from one building to another without using hardwiring, which can help make many systems more flexible, efficient and cheaper to install and operate.

“We believe wireless networks are the future,” says David Eisenhaure, SatCon’s president and ceo. “We are in a position with this high speed, 5.7 gigahertz, amplifier to take advantage of this new emerging growth opportunity. We have taken some of our innovative design and packaging skills and applied them to this product. WLANs will make it possible to connect systems and components in separate building without having to string wires between them. It will reduce installation and maintenance costs. You may be able to have your car communicate with the mechanic, students could communicate with mainframe computers from their rooms, handheld computers and PDAs could talk to computers in nearby buildings and security could monitor several buildings without being hard wired. The applications for high-speed WLANs should offer several significant opportunities for our new product.”

SatCon’s new amplifier is designed to support the emerging 802.11A standard for wireless communication applications with utility and WLAN point-to-point communications, automotive telematics and a variety of other short-range wireless applications. The amplifier offers +10dB gain, as well as 4 watts of output power, with output power at 1dB compression (P1) of +36dBm typical.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editor jmontague@cahners.com

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