CATV solution for headend and remote PHY applications

Skyworks has introduced their latest CATV solution, the ACA1240, a 1.2GHz variable gain CCAP/edge QAM driver amplifier designed for headend and remote PHY applications. The device provides industry-leading return loss over attenuation range minimising passband ripple, thus allowing optimal filter performance. Also, this amplifier gives superior output power and gain performance, as well as exceptional linearity to meet critical downstream RF specifications at a higher power level. The device is a GaAs based amplifier that contains highly linear amplification and attenuation stages for use in CATV CCAP/EQAM/CMTS modulators and networks. It incorporates a continuously adjustable linear attenuator that is controlled by an external analog voltage. This glitch-free attenuator provides a minimum of 20dB of continuously variable attenuation and is preceded by a high-linearity pre-amplifier and followed by a high-gain output driver. Both input and output are matched to 75Ohm using balun transformers. The device runs from a single 12V supply and is offered in an 11mm x 11mm surface-mount package.