RF Micro Devices Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA has launched the highly integrated RFFM4501E front-end module (FEM) for 802.11ac notebook and mobile equipment applications.

The firm says that its newest WiFi FEM meets or exceeds the system requirements for 802.11ac connectivity in the 5.150-5.850GHz frequency band and is optimized to support multiple applications, including notebooks, mobile routers, and low-power customer premises systems.

The RFFM4501E integrates a +17.5dBm (80MHz MCS9) power amplifier (PA) at 3.3V, a low-insertion-loss/high-isolation single-pole two-throw (SP2T) switch, harmonic filtering, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA) with bypass mode, for equipment manufacturers seeking to adjust receive sensitivity. The receive chain provides 12.5dB of typical gain with only 12mA of current and a noise figure of just 2.5dB. Separate Rx/Tx 50 Ohm ports simplify matching and provide input and output signals for both the transmit and receive paths.

The RFFM4501E is optimized to mate with the 802.11ac chipset of a leading semiconductor company.

RFMD says that the ultra-small form factor (3mm x 3mm x 1.1mm) and high level of integration of the RFFM4501E shrink the product footprint, reduce external component count, minimize assembly costs, and speed time-to-market.