Wi-Fi 6 front-end modules enable cost, size benefits

The FEMs tap into the full potential of the Wi-Fi 6E spectrum while also delivering up to 25% more power efficiency than current competitive solutions.

Their small form factors and integrated matching help minimise layout area while providing substantial cost, size and thermal performance advantages.

Both FEMs incorporate a single-pole two-throw switch (SP2T), and a bypassable low noise amplifier (LNA) with a 5.945 GHz to 7.125 GHz power amplifier (QPF4656) or a 5.1 GHz to 7.125 GHz power amplifier (QPF4730).

The FEMs provide transmit (Tx) gain values ranging from 30 to 32 dB and receive (Rx) gain of 14.5 dB, with noise figures of 2 dB.

Power consumption is conserved while maintaining high linear output power and leading-edge throughput at the maximum power levels supported by Wi-Fi 6E's extended bandwidth.

This wide bandwidth performance feature enables the operation of the QPF4656 in all channels from UNII5-8 (5.9 – 7.1 GHz) and the QPF4730 operation in all channels from UNII1-8 (5.1 – 7.1GHz) on the fly without any logic switching.

The FEMs include die-level filtering for second and third harmonics, 2.4 GHz rejection for DBDC operation, and a voltage detector for application feedback. The QPF4632 also includes a coupler RF power detector.

Applications for the FEMs include access points, residential gateways, customer premises equipment, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. For development, Mouser also offers the QPF4656EVB and QPF4730EVB evaluation boards.