Guerrilla RF, Inc. (OTCQX: GUER) has made a significant stride in the RFID technology space with the selection of its GRF5509 4-watt power amplifier by Impinj for their enterprise-grade RAIN RFID reader module reference design. This collaboration is expected to streamline the development process for manufacturers looking to create new RFID readers based on Impinj’s advanced E family reader integrated circuits (ICs).
The GRF5509 amplifier is designed to extend the read range and improve the interrogation capabilities of passive RFID tags, which are commonly embedded in packaging and pallets. According to Jim Ahne, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Guerrilla RF, this integration not only enhances performance but also accelerates the development of feature-rich capabilities across the RFID market. The GRF5509 can deliver up to 2 watts of linear power while adhering to strict spectral mask requirements essential for effective reader applications.
Vikas Dhurka, Senior Director of Product Management for Reader ICs at Impinj, emphasized the critical role that accurate and reliable reading of RAIN tags plays in successful deployments. The combination of Guerrilla RF’s high-performance amplifier with Impinj’s E family reader ICs maximizes transmit power, thereby enhancing read range and enabling customers to effectively read detuned tags.
The RAIN Market Research Report from VDC Research indicates a robust growth trajectory for tag integrated circuit shipments, projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.1% through 2028. This growth is driven by advancements in supply chain technologies and a shift towards more sustainable solutions. Key application areas include retail inventory management, asset tracking, logistics, medical applications, air baggage handling, vehicle identification, warehousing operations, and product lifecycle monitoring.
The GRF5509 is an InGaP HBT power amplifier designed to operate within the 700 to 1000 MHz frequency range. When finely tuned for RFID UHF bands, specifically between 866 MHz and 928 MHz, it delivers remarkable performance with a gain of 38 dB, an output power compression (OP1dB) of 36 dBm, and an output third-order intercept point (OIP3) of 46 dBm.
Its flexible biasing architecture allows for customizable trade-offs between linearity and power consumption, making it adaptable for various applications. The amplifier operates on supply voltages ranging from 3.0 to 5.5 V, with most users opting for a standard 5V supply that requires 248 mA of biasing current.
Housed in a compact 3 x 3 mm QFN-16 package, the GRF5509 shares pinout and matching layouts with many of Guerrilla RF’s other linear drivers and power amplifier cores. This design choice facilitates easier integration into existing systems.
Samples and evaluation boards for the GRF5509 are currently available, with pricing starting at $1.97 per unit for orders of 10,000 or more from the USA.
Founded in 2013, Guerrilla RF specializes in developing high-performance radio frequency (RF) and microwave semiconductors tailored for wireless original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across various high-growth sectors. These include network infrastructure for both 5G and 4G technologies, satellite communications (SATCOM), automotive telematics, military communications, and high-fidelity wireless audio systems. With an extensive portfolio of over 100 semiconductor devices and more than 50 new products in development, Guerrilla RF has established itself as a fast-growing firm in the semiconductor industry. The company has shipped over 200 million devices and has been recognized multiple times in Inc. Magazine’s “Inc. 5000” list.
