News

23 March 2010

 

Skyworks launches widest frequency range integrated synthesizers for 3G/4G base-stations

Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA, which makes linear products, power amplifiers, front-end modules and radio solutions for handset and infrastructure equipment, has introduced what is claimed to be the industry's first suite of high-performance broadband synthesizers spanning ultra-wide-frequency ranges from 375MHz to 5.6GHz.

Skyworks says that the SKY73134, which is designed to cover all GSM, WCDMA and LTE frequency bands with one device, supports the world’s leading 3G and 4G base-station providers including Ericsson, Huawei, ZTE, Alcatel/Lucent, and Nokia/Siemens, and can deliver very stringent requirements all on a single silicon die.

The SKY73134’s performance allows radio designers to support increasing levels of voice and data traffic volumes, enables design flexibility across multiple applications, and is applicable for use in microwave-link and software-defined radios. Skyworks says that, with the addition of the new synthesizer, it continues to broaden its infrastructure and linear products portfolio. At a higher level, it is also capitalizing on mobile Internet applications — supporting both handsets as well as infrastructure networks.

According to Cisco, mobile data traffic volumes are projected to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of 131% from 2008 to 2013. Mobile operators will hence need to begin to install new base-stations, routers and backhaul network equipment starting now to avoid network traffic jams and to preserve highly profitable data service revenue. Furthermore, upgrades and expansion to existing infrastructure will be needed, requiring increased analog and mixed-signal content. Skyworks says that the SKY73134 addresses these needs with one common device for all platforms.

The new synthesizer enables users to implement a one-chip solution for all frequencies versus more than ten different discrete solutions — significantly reducing board size requirements, cost, and streamlining customer supply logistics, says Wesley Boyd, director of marketing.

The SKY73134 is a wideband integer-N frequency synthesizer with an approximate 6GHz locking range. The very small 5mm x 5mm device includes four differential voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) which, by applying internal VCO frequency division, continuously cover the output frequency from 0.375 to 5.6 GHz.

The integrated phase noise from 100Hz to 100kHz measures less than 0.6º RMS at 960MHz frequency. In addition, the phase noises at 100kHz, 1MHz and 3MHz frequency offsets are –115dBc/Hz, –143 dBc/Hz and 150dBc/Hz respectively, suiting GSM/EDGE, CDMA/WCDMA and LTE base-station transceivers.

The SKY73134 is controlled by a bi-directional read/write serial-to-parallel interface which allows flexible device configurations that may be locked with an external VCO or external PLL (phase locked loop), or be used as a divider chain only. The device is also a key building block for any radio system design including backhaul, military and satellite applications that require a combination of high performance, low power and multi-purpose features.

Volume production is scheduled to begin in April.

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