3 June 2011

Avago launches first WiMAX coexistence FEM for simplified design of mobile electronics

Avago Technologies has launched a complete RF front-end module (FEM) for WiMAX radios in mobile handset or portable PC applications.

The AFEM-S257 module is designed specifically for coexistence operation of WiMAX with other cellular and WiFi radios in the same device. It features two receive ports and a single transmit port (with 25dB of TX/RX isolation and RX1/RX2 isolation) in a small 5mm x 7mm x 1mm package that suits space-constrained mobile applications in the 2.5–2.7GHz frequency range, providing up to 25% space savings over discrete WiMAX solutions.

With all RF ports matched to 50 ohms, the module integrates multiple high-performance technologies to reduce PCB board footprint, while simplifying design and manufacturing and shortening time to market, Avago claims. Using the firm’s proprietary 0.25µm GaAs enhancement-mode pHEMT process and film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) filtering technologies, the module delivers what is claimed to be superior performance across voltage and temperature levels. FBAR technology delivers steep roll-off and low insertion loss, resulting in extended battery life and talk-time and better signal quality.

With high noise rejection of 35dBc, the module enables fewer interference issues between IEEE 802.16 WiMAX and other radios. The AFEM-S257 module achieves 24dBm of WiMAX-compliant output power, while maintaining an error vector magnitude (EVM) of 2.5% at 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). With a 3–5V power supply for TX path and 18% power-added efficiency (PAE), TX gain is 34dB. The noise figure (NF) from antenna to RX is 3.5dB.

“The AFEM-S257 front-end module provides a complete, compact solution that can be easily and quickly designed in to mobile WiMAX applications, which is demonstrated in the top three reference designs addressing this market,” says James Wilson, Avago’s senior director of marketing for wireless products. “With Avago FBAR filtering technology delivering unparalleled out-of-band rejection, the module offers the performance major smartphone makers demand,” he adds.

The AFEM-S257 WiMAX coexistence front-end module is available in a 28-lead MCOB package and is priced at $9.50 each in 10,000-piece quantities.

Avago will have a live demonstration of the AFEM-S257 module, and will exhibit its complete RF and microwave portfolio, at the 2011 IEEE Microwave Theory & Techniques Society (MTT-S) International Microwave Symposium (IMS) in booth number 1602 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, USA (7–9 June).

Tags: Avago WiMAX radios

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