Rad-hard Prescaler, Peregrine Semiconductor

Peregrine Semiconductor Extends Rad-hard Prescaler Line

News Release from: Peregrine Semiconductor Europe
16/07/2008

Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation, a leading supplier of high-performance RF CMOS and mixed-signal communications ICs, today released the new PE9309 UltraCMOS Prescaler for rad-hard space/satellite, high-performance military and hi-rel commercial infrastructure applications. The new divide-by-four device operates across 3.5 – 13.0 GHz frequencies, a broad operating range which exemplifies capability of the revolutionary UltraCMOS process technology to enable exceptional broadband performance in its products. This new UltraCMOS device operates in C, X and Ku Band, showcasing the UltraCMOS power consumption advantage at higher speeds.

The new Prescaler delivers a dramatic power consumption improvement over competitive options and by offering a Ku-band solution which is complementary to Peregrine’s existing PLL line customers are getting a very comprehensive design solution and a continued commitment to UltraCMOS products for space.

The PE9309 Prescaler consumes an exceptionally low 16mA of operating current or 41.6 mW of power, replacing higher power competitive GaAs devices which typically consume 600 mW. The device features Input Power of 0 to +7 dBm; Output Power of 0 dBm (minimum); and a total dose radiation of 100 Krads (Si). The new Prescaler can be used in conjunction with Peregrine’s rad-hard Delta-Sigma Modulated Fractional-N Phase-locked Loop (PLL) Frequency Synthesizer to generate local oscillator frequencies through the Ku-Band.

Peregrine’s PE9309 is currently sampling to select customers in die or the tiny hermetically-sealed 8-lead ceramic formed flat pack package, with flight qualified devices available December 2008.