Compact front end modules for WLAN applications with integrated passive devices using selectively anodized aluminum substrate

In This paper, two types of front end modules (FEM) for IEEE 802.11a/b/c WLAN with integrated passive devices (TPD) on selectively anodized aluminum substrate were proposed and fabricated. These FEMs are composed of 2.4GHz LNA, 2.4GHz PA, 5GHz PA, RF switch and IPDs such as low pass filter, diplexer, and balanced band pass filter. The IPDs designed and fabricated for WLAN frequency range had enough specification satisfying commercial passive device requirements. And 2.4GHz PA also designed to attain high output RF power, 27dBm, using GaAs pHEMT and R, L, C component on selectively anodized aluminum substrate. The IPDs and FEMs were fabricated using Wavnics, Inc´s Smart Al® foundry. The fully integrated FEMs had the sizes of 4.8mm × 3.8mm for single band FEM and 5.8 × 4.4mm for dual band FEM respectively.