Abstract:
An RF module (20) adapted for direct surface mounting to the front end of a picocell or microcell . The module includes a circuit board (22) with a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon and defining respective RF signal transmit and receive sections. The signal transmit section is defined by at least a transmit bandpass filter (25) , a power amplifier (26) , an isolator (28) , a coupler (30) , and a duplexer (34) . The signal receive section is defined by at least the duplexer (34) , a receive low pass filter (36) , a low-noise amplifier (39) , and a receive bandpass filter (40) . A lid (45) covers selected ones of the electrical components except for at least the power amplifier. Through-holes (136) in the circuit board below the power amplifier allow for the transfer of heat from the power amplifier.