2 February 2012

Skyworks ramps GPS/GNSS receive-only front-end for Samsung

Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA (which manufactures high-reliability analog and mixed-signal semiconductors), is ramping global positioning system (GPS) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) solutions for smart-phone maker Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. The firm's newest devices, which integrate a low-noise amplifier with filtering designed specifically for GPS/GNSS receiver applications, are claimed to be the smallest solutions on the market requiring no external components, allowing manufacturers an easy ‘plug and play’ option.

“Navigation is becoming one of the fastest-growing consumer features for smart phones and tablets,” notes Liam K. Griffin, executive VP & general manager of high performance analog at Skyworks. “By leveraging core capabilities, Skyworks is delivering innovative solutions that help drive better performance and reduce complexity for our customers, while at the same time capturing additional RF content in high-growth markets,” he adds. 

Global adoption of smart phones continues to be robust, and is quickly being followed by a growing tablet adoption cycle. According to Oppenheimer & Co Inc, worldwide shipments of smart phones are predicted to reach 1 billion by 2015, up from about 400 million units at the end of 2011. In addition, tablets are expected to surpass 125 million units by 2015, up from roughly 50 million for the end of December 2011. Embedded GPS/GNSS functionality is expected to be an integral part of these devices.

The SKY65702-11 is a receive-only front-end solution with an integrated low-noise amplifier and filtering designed for GPS and global navigation satellite system receiver applications. The device provides high linearity, high gain, a high 1dB input compression point, and what is claimed to be a superior noise figure. The integrated GPS and GNSS filter provides low in-band insertion loss and good out-of-band rejection performance for the cellular\LTE, personal communication service and wireless local-area network (WLAN) frequency bands. The SKY65702-11 comes in an ultra-small 2.5mm x 2.0mm low-cost package.

Tags: Skyworks

Visit: www.skyworksinc.com