RFFM4201
3.3V to 5V,
2.4GHz TO
2.5GHz HIGH
POWER FRONT
END MODULE
RFFM4201
3.3V TO 5V, 2.4GHz TO 2.5GHz HIGH POWER
FRONT END MODULE
Package: 6mm x 6mm Laminate
Vreg1 7
Vreg2 6
Vreg3 5
Pdet 4
GND 3
RX
2
Vrx
1
GND
ANT
24
Features
Pdown
8
Bias
23
34dB Typical Gain Across
Frequency Band
P
OUT
= 25dBm <2.5%
Dynamic EVM
2.4GHz to 2.5GHz Frequency
Range
Integrated Three-Stage PA,
Filtering and T/R switch
High Impedance Control
Integrated Power Detector
WiFi IEEE802.11b/g/n
Applications
Customer Premises
Equipment (CPE)
Spread-Spectrum and MMDS
Systems
GND
9
Input
Match
Inter
Stage
Match
Inter
Stage
Match
GND
22
TXIN
10
11
12
13 Vbias
GND
21
GND
Vtx
20
GND
14 Vcc1
15 GND
16 Vcc2
17 Vcc3
19
18 GND
GND
Applications
Functional Block Diagram
Product Description
RFFM4201 is a 1 x 1 MIMO module that is intently specified to address IEEE
802.11b/g/n WiFi 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz customer premises equipment (CPE) applica-
tions. The module has an integrated three-stage linear power amplifier, Tx harmonic
filtering and SPDT switch. The RFFM4201 has fully matched input and output for a
50 system and incorporates matching networks optimized for linear output power
and efficiency. The RFFM4201 is housed in a 6mm x 6mm laminate.
Ordering Information
RFFM4201PCK-410
RFFM4201SB
RFFM4201SR
RFFM4201TR7
RFFM4201SQ
RFFM4201 Eval Board and 5-Piece Bag
5-Piece Bag
100-Piece Reel
2500-Piece Reel
25-Piece Bag
Optimum Technology Matching® Applied
DS121008
GaAs HBT
GaAs MESFET
InGaP HBT
SiGe BiCMOS
Si BiCMOS
SiGe HBT
GaAs pHEMT
Si CMOS
Si BJT
GaN HEMT
BiFET HBT
RF MICRO DEVICES®, RFMD®, Optimum Technology Matching®, Enabling Wireless Connectivity™, PowerStar®, POLARIS™ TOTAL RADIO™ and UltimateBlue™ are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. BLUETOOTH is a trade-
mark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., U.S.A. and licensed for use by RFMD. All other trade names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2012, RF Micro Devices, Inc.
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
1 of 14
RFFM4201
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter
Supply Voltage (RF Applied)
Supply Voltage (No RF Applied)
DC Supply Current
Input RF Power
Operating Temperature
Storage Temperature
Moisture Sensitivity
*Maximum Input Power with a 50 load.
Rating
-0.5 to +5.25
-0.5 to +6.0
750
+10*
-30 to +85
-40 to +150
MSL3
Unit
V
V
mA
dBm
°C
°C
Caution! ESD sensitive device.
Exceeding any one or a combination of the Absolute Maximum Rating conditions may
cause permanent damage to the device. Extended application of Absolute Maximum
Rating conditions to the device may reduce device reliability. Specified typical perfor-
mance or functional operation of the device under Absolute Maximum Rating condi-
tions is not implied.
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by RF Micro Devices, Inc. ("RFMD") for its use, nor for any
infringement of patents, or other rights of third parties, resulting from its use. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of
RFMD. RFMD reserves the right to change component circuitry, recommended appli-
cation circuitry and specifications at any time without prior notice.
RFMD Green: RoHS compliant per EU Directive 2002/95/EC, halogen free
per IEC 61249-2-21, < 1000ppm each of antimony trioxide in polymeric
materials and red phosphorus as a flame retardant, and <2% antimony in
solder.
Parameter
Typical Conditions
Frequency
Tx Performance - 11g/n
802.11n Output Power
11n Dynamic EVM
802.11n Output Power
11n Dynamic EVM
802.11g Output Power
11g Dynamic EVM
Second Harmonic
Third Harmonic
Tx Performance - Spectral Mask
802.11b Output Power
802.11n Output Power
Tx Performance - Generic
Gain
Gain Variation over Temp
Low Gain Mode - Gain Reduction
Power Detect Range
Power Detect Voltage
Input Return Loss - TX_IN pin
Output Return Loss at ANT pin
Operating Current
Quiescent Current
PAE (Power Added Efficiency)
I
REG
P
DOWN
Current - V
REG
supply
P
DOWN
Current - V
CC
Supply
Leakage Current
Power Supply - V
CC
Specification
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Condition
T = 25°C, V
CC
= 5.0V, V
REG
= 2.9V, using an
IEEE802.11g waveform, 54MBps, unless other-
wise noted
2412
25
25.5
2.5
25.8
2.5
25.5
26
2.5
-47
-50
27.5
25
31.5
34
23
0.125
1.45
10
6
15
8
435
160
20
4
7
0.5
0.2
5
2484
MHz
Compliance with standard 802.11g/n
dBm
802.11n HT20 and HT40 MCS7
At V
CC
= 5.25V; 802.11n HT20 and HT40 MCS7
802.11g 64QAM 54Mbps
3
3
3
-42
-42
%
dBm
%
dBm
%
dBm/MHz 11n HT40 MCS0/7. At rated P
OUT
dBm/MHz 11n HT40 MCS0/7. At rated P
OUT
Compliance with standard 802.11b/n
dBm
dBm
Meet 802.11b 1MBps Mask Spec
Meet 802.11n HT20/HT40 MCS7 Mask
At rated P
OUT
Over temerature of -40
°C
to +85
˚C
Drop in gain versus high gain mode by setting
V
REG2
= 0
P
OUT
= 5dBm to 30dBm
At rated P
OUT
In specified frequency band
In specified frequency band
At rated P
OUT
V
CC
= 5.0, V
REG
= 2.9V and RF = OFF
At rated P
OUT
(PA only)
in Tx mode
P
DOWN
= 0V, V
REG
= 2.9V, V
CC
= 5V
P
DOWN
= 0V, V
REG
= 2.9V, V
CC
= 5V
V
CC
= 5V, V
REG
= 0V, P
DOWN
= 0V
37
+/-2.5
dB
dB
dB
2.3
V
V
dB
dB
500
210
8.5
10
1
0.6
5.25
mA
mA
%
mA
mA
mA
mA
V
2 of 14
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
DS121008
RFFM4201
Parameter
Typical Conditions (continued)
Power Supply - V
REG1
, V
REG2
, V
REG3
Turn-on time from setting of V
REG1
,
V
REG2
, V
REG3
Turn-off time from setting of V
REG1
,
V
REG2
, V
REG3
Stability
CW P1dB
Rx Performance
Rx Insertion Loss - RX
Noise Figure
Return Loss - RX
RX to Ant Isolation while in Tx Mode
RX to TX Isolation while in Tx Mode
Generic Performance
T/R Switching Time
Voltage Logic High
Voltage Logic Low
Control Current - Logic High
Thermal
R
TH_I
ESD
Human Body Model
Charge Device Model
250
500
500
V
V
V
EIA/JESD22-114A RF pins
EIA/JESD22-114A DC pins
JESD22-C101C all pins
30
°C/W
2.75
0
1
2.9
0.5
3.4
0.3
10
s
V
V
A
25
10
0.8
0.8
16
30
30
1
1
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
In specified frequency band
-25
32
2.8
2.9
3
400
800
30
V
ns
ns
dBm
dBm
Output stable to within 90% of final gain
Output stable to within 90% of final gain
No spurs above -47dBm into 4:1 VSWR
Tx mode in 50% Duty Cycle
Specification
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
Condition
Truth Table
Status
Tx Mode
Rx Mode
PDOWN
1
0
VTX
1
0
VRX
0
1
DS121008
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
3 of 14
RFFM4201
Pin Names and Descriptions
Pin
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
PkG Base
Name
VRX
RX
GND
PDET
VREG3
VREG2
VREG1
PDOWN
GND
TXIN
GND
GND
VBIAS
VCC1
GND
VCC2
VCC3
GND
GND
VTX
GND
GND
ANT
GND
GND
Description
Switch control for Rx mode
RF output is internally matched to 50 and DC blocked.
Ground connection
Power detector provides an output voltage proportional to the RF output power level.
Third stage bias voltage. This pin requires regulated supply for best performance.
Second stage bias voltage. This pin requires regulated supply for best performance.
First stage bias voltage. This pin requires regulated supply for best performance.
Power down pin. Apply <0.3V
DC
to power down the three power amplifier stages. Apply 1.75V
DC
to 5.0V
DC
to power up. If function is not desired, pin may be connected to VREG.
Ground connection
RF input is internally matched to 50 and DC blocked.
Ground connection
Ground connection
Supply voltage for the bias reference and control circuits.
This pin is connected internally to the collector of the 1st stage RF device. To achieve specified
performance, the layout of these pins should match the recommended land pattern.
Ground connection
This pin is connected internally to the collector of the 2nd stage RF device. To achieve specified
performance, the layout of these pins should match the recommended land pattern.
This pin is connected internally to the collector of the 3rd stage RF device. To achieve specified
performance, the layout of these pins should match the recommended land pattern.
Ground connection
Ground connection
Switch control for Tx mode
Ground connection
Ground connection
RF Output is internally matched to 50 and DC blocked.
Ground connection
Ground connection
4 of 14
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
DS121008
RFFM4201
Theory of Operation and Applications
The RFFM4201 is a single-chip integrated front end module (FEM) for high performance WiFi applications in the 2.4GHz to
2.5GHz ISM band. The FEM greatly reduces the number of external components minimizing footprint and assembly cost of the
overall 802.11b/g/n solution. The RFFM4201 has an integrated b/g/n power amplifier, a power Detector, and Tx filtering and a
switch, which is capable of switching between WiFi Rx, WiFi Tx operations. The device is manufactured using InGaP HBT and
pHEMT processes on a 6mm x 6mm x 0.95mm laminate package. The module meets or exceeds the RF front end needs of the
802.11b/g/n WiFi RF systems. The RFFM4201 is a very easy part to implement. To reduce the design and optimization pro-
cess on the customer application, the evaluation board layout should be copied as close as possible, in particular the ground
and via configurations. Gerber files of RFMD PCBA designs will be provided upon request. The supply voltage lines should pres-
ent an RF short to the FEM by using bypass capacitors on the V
CC
traces. To simplify bias conditions, the RFFM4201 requires a
single positive supply voltage (V
CC
), a positive current control bias (V
REG
) supply, and a positive supply for switch control. The
built-in power detector of the RFFM4201 can be used as power monitor in the system. All inputs and outputs are internally
matched to 50.
Transmit Path
The RFFM4201 has a typical gain of 34dB form 2.4GHz to 2.5GHz, and delivers 25.5dBm typical output power in 11n HT20
MCS7 and 26dBm typical in 11g 54Mbps. The RFFM4201 requires a single positive of 5.0V to operate at full specifications.
The VREG pin requires a regulated supply at 2.9V to maintain nominal bias current.
Out of Band Rejection
The RFFM4201 contains a low pass filtering (LPF) to attenuate the 2nd Harmonics to -47dBm/MHz (typical), to meet the out of
band rejection requirements of the system for FCC specification.
Receive Path
The Rx path has a 50 single-ended port. The receive port return loss is 9.6dB minimum. In this mode, the FEM has an Inser-
tion loss of 0.8dB and 30dB (typical) isolation to Tx port.
RFFM4201 Biasing Instructions to the Evaluation Board:
• 802.11b/g/n transmit:
• Connect the FEM to a signal generator at the input and a spectrum analyzer at the output. Set the pin at signal generator is
at -20dBm.
• Bias V
CC
to 5.0V first with V
REG
= 0.0V. If available, enable the current limiting function of the power supply to 750mA.
• Refer to switch operational truth table to set the control lines at the proper levels for WiFi Tx.
• Turn on V
REG
to 2.9V (typ.).
On V
REG
(of evaluation board), regulated supply is recommended. Be extremely careful not to exceed 3.0V on the VREG pin
or the part may exceed device current limits.
• Turn on P
DOWN
to 2.9V (typ.). PDOWN pin can be tied to V
REG
supply.
NOTE: It is important to adjust the V
CC
voltage source so that +5V is measured at the board; and the +2.9V of V
REG
is mea-
sured at the board. The high collector currents will drop the collector voltage significantly if long leads are used. Adjust the
bias voltage to compensate.
• Turn on RF of signal generator and gradually increase power level to the rated power.
CAUTION: If the input signal exceeds the rated power, the RFFM4201 Evaluation Board can be permanently damaged.
• To turn off FEM, turn off RF power of signal generator; then P
DOWN
, V
REG
and V
CC
.
• 802.11b/g/n receive
• To receive WiFi set the switch control lines per the truth table.
DS121008
7628 Thorndike Road, Greensboro, NC 27409-9421 · For sales or technical
support, contact RFMD at (+1) 336-678-5570 or customerservice@rfmd.com.
5 of 14
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