7 June 2011

RFMD adds narrowband MMIC VCOs with integrated dividers

RF Micro Devices Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA has expanded its multi-market product portfolio to include the RFVC1831–RFVC1844 family of monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs).

Covering frequencies of 7.2–15.1GHz, the 14 new narrowband VCOs are optimized for the point-to-point (P2P) radio market, with cellular backhaul the leading application. They are also suited to satellite communications, test & measurement, aerospace & defense, and other defense and commercial applications.

The P2P radio market is growing rapidly, as the proliferation of smart-phones and the increasing demand for mobile data are forcing cellular operators to expand capacity in cellular backhaul networks. RFMD says that its new narrowband MMIC VCOs satisfy operators’ capacity expansion requirements by delivering what is claimed to be industry-leading phase noise performance and minimal power consumption. The VCOs also feature monolithic construction and exhibit superior performance related to temperature, shock, and vibration, the firm adds.

“RFMD’s RFVC1831 through RFVC1844 MMIC VCOs complement our existing RFUV and RFRX product families of integrated up-converters and down-converters and extend our commitment to providing the industry’s most comprehensive and most technically advanced product portfolio for point-to-point microwave radio applications,” says Jeff Shealy, general manager of RFMD’s Defense and Power business unit.

The phase noise performance of the VCOs enables the development of next-generation high-capacity radios using complex modulation schemes. They also feature a common footprint, providing radio designers extra flexibility in designing outdoor base-station units (ODUs) covering discrete radio bands from 6GHz to 38GHz. Finally, the VCOs have integrated dividers that can be disabled if not required in particular applications.

RFMD is exhibiting the new components in booth 1402 at this week’s IEEE international Microwave Symposium (IMS 2011) in Baltimore, MD, USA (6–8 June).

Tags: RFMD MMIC VCOs

Visit: www.rfmd.com