
50-W silicon RF high-power MOSFET module
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation will launch a 50-W silicon RF high-power MOSFET module for use in high-frequency power amplifiers of commercial two-way radios on August 1. The module, which offers an industry-leading 50-W power output in the 763 MHz to 870 MHz band and high total efficiency of 40 percent is expected to help expand radio communication range and reduce power consumption.
The 150 MHz and 400 MHz frequency bands used for various wireless systems have become congested in North America and other markets, so in response, the 700 MHz band, formerly used for analog TV broadcasting, has been reallocated for commercial two-way radio, increasing the demand for radios that support this band. Conventional power amplifiers, however, experience large power loss, so there is a need for RF high-power MOSFET modules offering a built-in input/output impedance-matching circuit and guaranteed output-power performance. The new silicon RF high-power MOSFET (RA50H7687M1), which achieves unmatched power output and high total efficiency for commercial radios compatible with the 700 MHz band, is expected to expand the communication range and lower the power consumption of such radios.
In addition, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation recently developed the prototype of what is believed to be the first optical receiver for use in laser communication terminals (LCTs), that integrates space optical communication using laser beams and a function to detect the direction of received beams in the 1.5-μm band, a general-purpose band used for terrestrial optical fiber communications and other applications.
The optical receiver integrates functions to detect both four phase changes of laser light and beam direction. The result is a downsized optical receiver that enables space optical communication with 10 times the speed, capacity and distance of radio-wave communication. Since the wavelength is much shorter, smaller antennas can be used in compact communication units that can be installed in locations difficult for optical fiber, such as between buildings. Installations also are possible in areas where normal infrastructure is not available, such as disaster zones, developing countries or remote areas, thereby expanding the use of wireless communications in a variety of situations.
