16 April 2011

Avago’s highly integrated FEM enables WiFi and Bluetooth coexistence

Avago Technologies Ltd, a supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications, has launched a front-end module (FEM) with robust filtering for 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth radios in handsets and mobile routers for tablets and other portable PC devices.

The AFEM-S102 module integrates a film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) coexistence filter, SP3T antenna switch and TX path coupler in a small 2.2mm x 2.2mm x 0.55mm package suiting space-constrained applications. The firm claims that the 2.5GHz module delivers superior out-of-band rejection, enabling concurrent operation of WiFi and Bluetooth datacommunication with cellular communication standards.

Avago says that its front-end modules integrate multiple high-performance technologies to reduce PCB board footprint and simplify design for portable electronics applications. The AFEM-S102 in particular exhibits low insertion loss that combines with high noise rejection to meet stringent coexistence requirements and enable fewer interference issues between WiFi, Bluetooth and other radios. Effectively leveraging Avago’s 0.25µm gallium arsenide enhancement-mode pHEMT process and its proprietary FBAR filtering technologies, the module delivers 2.6dB maximum insertion loss for the TX path and 35dB rejection in the 2110–2170MHz range.

“As smartphones and other portable electronics devices add more radio types and bands, coexistence requirements are getting more stringent,” says James Wilson, director of marketing for wireless products. “The best-in-class rejection and insertion loss of our proprietary FBAR technology enables OEMs to efficiently address these challenging radio environments,” he adds. “The easy-to-use AFEM-S102 front-end module was designed in conjunction with a leading handset designer for their reference design, specifically to meet the coexistence requirements for WiFi and Bluetooth applications.”

Avago claims that its FBAR technology delivers steeper roll-off and lower insertion loss than ceramic or SAW (surface acoustic wave) filters and other competing technologies, and does so in a more compact form factor. Low insertion loss reduces power amplifier current and improves receiver sensitivity and dynamic range, resulting in extended battery life and talk time and better signal quality for handsets. FBAR technology makes ultra-small, high-Q filters possible at a fraction of their usual size, and allows integration with other radio components.

The AFEM-S102 is priced at $1 each in 10,000 piece quantities.

Tags: Avago FEM WiFi Bluetooth

Visit: www.avagotechwireless.com

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