A Power Amplifier, as the name suggests, has usually higher output power compared to other elements and is the last amplifying element in the signal path. Power Amplifiers can be operated close to their P1-dB. 1-dB compression is the point where the gain of the amplifier has compressed by 1dB. Drivers on the other hand are intended to, as the name suggests, to drive the successive stages, e.g. the Power Amplifier. Drivers are usually operated far below their P1-dB to ensure they do not distort the signal entering the Power Amplifier. NXP MMICs that qualify as PA and Driver are shown on the right hand side. All MMICs are matched internally to 50 Ohm.