Complementary Metal-oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) Radio Frequency (RF) Power Amplifiers (PAs)

Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers (PAs) are used in mobile devices and are capable of providing up to two watts of output power (28 to 33 decibels [dBm]). They are used primarily in mobile phones and PC data cards. Currently used in basic Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)/general packet radio service (GPRS) handsets, it is likely that there will be greater adoption in third-generation (3G) handsets in the future—due to the lower output power requirement and the need for power control for 3G. Key benefits of the technology, compared with the alternatives, are lower cost and greater integration—leading to a smaller footprint in the mobile device.