24 May 2011

Skyworks unveils broadband quadrature modulators for cellular infrastructure

Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA, which manufactures high-reliability analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, has launched three wideband quadrature modulators for cellular infrastructure and high-performance radio link applications. The modulators are the latest additions to the firm’s wireless infrastructure portfolio and are designed to support leading 3G and 4G base-station providers.

The fixed-gain quadrature modulators deliver what is claimed to be excellent phase accuracy and amplitude balance, enabling high performance for multi-carrier communication systems. They also have greater than 500MHz 3dB modulation bandwidth, a low noise floor and a wide operating frequency range, supporting multiband designs and network requirements.

According to a recent In-Stat Mobile Internet Group research report, infrastructure expenditures by mobile operators will need to scale up by more than 40% in the coming years to meet fast-approaching network demand. As a result, mobile operators will not only need to install new base-stations, routers and backhaul network equipment, but will need to upgrade and expand existing infrastructure to avoid network traffic jams and preserve their highly profitable data service revenue, all of which will require increased analog and mixed-signal content.

“With the addition of these new modulators, Skyworks continues to capitalize on the network infrastructure side of the mobile Internet phenomenon,” says Liam K. Griffin, Skyworks’ executive VP & general manager of high-performance analog. “Skyworks is pleased to offer our customers a multitude of high-performance, cost-effective solutions as they build out their networks to support the staggering increase in mobile data traffic,” he adds.

Skyworks claims that the SKY73077 (for 1500–2700MHz), SKY73078 (for 500–1500MHz) and SKY73092 (for 400–6000MHz) quadrature modulators have high linearity, excellent I/Q phase accuracy and amplitude balance, suiting use in high-performance communication systems. The modulators accept two differential baseband inputs and a single-ended local oscillator, and generate a single-ended RF output.

Tags: Skyworks Modulators

Visit: www.skyworksinc.com