The latest upstream path RF amplifier has been introduced by ANADIGICS, Inc. DOCSIS-compliant cable modems and CATV set-top boxes can use this RF amplifier. It has also been optimized for use in residential gateways and Embedded-Multimedia Terminal Adapter or E-MTA applications.

The recently amended DOCSIS 3.0 telecommunications standard specifies a new high power operation mode. The newly introduced RF amplifier ARA2021 is designed to support this mode. Subscribers, located further from the CATV head end, are also provided the fastest broadband upstream pipe. The device has a performance which no one can beat in the industry. More subscribers on the network are therefore able to take advantage of the fastest possible data transmission rates. A quality broadband experience is therefore ensured. Energy "green" initiatives are also supported by ARA2021. In the standby mode, power consumption has been reduced by up to 97 percent.

Cable operators are able to transition their businesses with the DOCSIS standard. They can now become full-service providers of video, voice and data services instead of being restricted to delivering TV programming. A number of features like channel bonding techniques are included in the current version of the standard, DOCSIS 3.0. A flexible way to boost end-user data speeds to as much as 160 Mbps downstream and 120 Mbps upstream is provided by these techniques to the cable operators.

In a press release, Joe Cozzarelli, senior director of Broadband RF Product Line at ANADIGICS, said, "Based on the broadband consumers' growing appetite for bandwidth-intensive applications such as remote hard drive backup, sharing of large data files, and HD video uploads, industry analysts foresee steady growth in the coming years for DOCSIS 3.0-compliant products. We've developed the ARA2021 amplifier to meet the demanding requirements of CATV networks that can deliver the highest data rates and extended reach, providing the end-user with an exceptionally satisfying broadband experience."

A digitally controlled, multiple-stage precision step attenuator is included in the highly linear, programmable gain amplifier, ARA2021. Apart from providing extremely low harmonics, ARA2021 also provides superior distortion performance at high output power levels. The amplifier is therefore able to overcome long loop attenuation with this performance. A high quality signal at the head end is therefore ensured.