Peregrine expands digitally tunable capacitor line

Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation announced two new digitally tunable capacitors (DTCs)—the PE64101 and PE64102 (PE64101/2) DTCs.  The 5-bit, 32-state DTCs, designed using Peregrine’s DuNE™ tuning technology, are designed for use in wide-band tunable networks and minimize mismatch losses, improve system efficiency, and reduce radio complexity for cost-sensitive applications, such as RFID, phase shifters, and wireless communications, among others.

The PE64102 DTC has a tuning ratio of 7.4:1, and a capacitance range of 1.88 – 14.0 pF in 391 fF steps for shunt configuration.  The PE64101 DTC features a tuning range of 4.3:1 and a capacitance range of 1.38 – 5.9 pF in 146 fF steps for shunt configuration.  Both of the new devices are available in a 2 mm x 2 mm QFN package.  Additionally, both of the new DTCs feature power consumption of 75 µA in normal operation (45 µA in standby) making them well suited for battery-powered portable applications.  The devices also feature IIP3 linearity of 60 dBm across a wide tuning range, and are immune to latch up.  They are controlled by an SPI interface and can be mounted in series or shunt configuration.

Peregrine also announced the availability of evaluation kits for measuring the impedance and loss of the PE64101/2 DTCs, today.  The kits include a USB interface board and cable, and are priced at $168.00 each.  They can be purchased in July through Peregrine’s global network of fully-trained DTC Advocates, which can be found at http://dtc.psemi.com.
 
Packaging, Pricing & Availability
The PE64101/2 DTCs are available in a 12-lead 2 mm x 2 mm QFN package.  The PE64101 is priced at $0.74 each, in 10,000-unit quantities.  The PE64102 is priced at $0.66 each, in 10,000-unit quantities.  Samples can be ordered in July, through Peregrine’s global direct sales representatives.