Like everything else in your network, you want more from your amplifiers. Today s RF amps must provide more bandwidth, carry more power, be more reliable, and be more intelligent.
Manufacturers are busy making sure the devices are accommodating.
Providing more bandwidth was one thing. It is now commonplace to see amplifiers operating to 870 MHz in the forward path. The problem has been figuring out how best to provide this extra bandwidth without increasing their numbers or degrading performance. GaAs vs. silicon Higher bandwidths generally mean higher loss in cable and components. If the gain and the output levels are not increased, additional active amplifiers are needed for the same stretch of plant, explains Lou Donofrio, director of RF products for General Instrument.