24 February 2014

Skyworks launches family of front-ends for low-cost smartphones in emerging TD-LTE markets

At the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain (24–27 February), analog semiconductor maker Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA has introduced a suite of products targeting low-cost smartphones for emerging, high-growth markets.

Skyworks’ portfolio of scalable and flexible front-ends includes multi-band power amplifiers, antenna switches and diversity modules for low- to high-end TD-LTE platforms. The highly efficient solutions deliver enhanced functionality, support multiple modulation schemes and enable handset makers to reduce the number of discrete components. GTI (the industry association for the Global TDD Initiative) recently presented Skyworks with the 2014 GTI Innovation Award for developing products that address the performance, cost and size challenges of the TD-LTE market.

Skyworks is capitalizing on the enormous LTE upgrade cycle and demand for low-cost smartphones across emerging markets, says Reza Kasnavi, VP & general manager of open market platforms at Skyworks. “Our high-performance products provide customers with a complete system solution as well as a broad range of architectural implementation options.”

According to a Credit Suisse report ‘Five Takeaways for Wireless’ in January, LTE handsets will double in terms of volumes in 2014 to 537 million, and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33% long term. In addition, emerging markets will rise from 71% of volume to 80% long term, driving a CAGR of 20%.
The new family of front-end solutions includes the following products:

The SKY13418-485LF is a single-pole-eight-throw antenna switch. The high linearity performance and low insertion loss enable main/diversity switching for LTE-based handsets, datacards and tablets. The symmetric port designs provide flexibility in signal routing for receive diversity and higher-power TD-SCDMA/TDD-LTE, WCDMA/FDD and LTE transmit/receive applications.

The SKY13473-569LF is a single-pole-ten-throw (SP10T) antenna switch with a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) and is part of a two-switch family. Using advanced switching technologies, the device maintains low insertion loss and high isolation for both transmit and receive switching paths.

The SKY13477-001A is a three-pole-four-throw switch. Switching is controlled by an integrated general-purpose input/output interface with four control pins. No external DC blocking capacitors are required as long as no DC voltage is applied on any RF path.

The SKY13498 is a SP10T antenna switch with an integrated MIPI controller. Using advanced switching technology, the switch maintains low insertion and high isolation, suiting UMTS, CDMA2000, EDGE, GSM and LTE applications.

The SKY77621-11 is a hybrid multi-mode, multi-band power amplifier module (PAM) that supports 2.5G/3G/4G handsets, and operates efficiently in GSM, EGPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA and LTE modes. The PAM is fully programmable through a MIPI interface.

The SKY77753 PAM is a fully matched, 26-pad surface-mount module (SMT) developed for FDD LTE, TD-SCDMA and TDD LTE applications. The small and efficient module integrates three PA transmit paths, input and output matching, input switching for Bands 34 and 39, output switching for Bands 38, 40 and 41, and daisy-chained directional couplers in a single 5.0mm x 3.5mm x 0.9mm package.

The SKY77754-11 PAM is a fully matched, 26-pad SMT developed for FDD, LTE, TD-SCDMA and TDD-LTE applications. The small and efficient PAM integrates three PA transmit paths, input and output matching, and daisy-chained directional couplers into a single 5.0mm x 3.5mm x 0.9mm package.

The SKY77778-51 is a PAM that is a fully matched, 10-pad SMM developed for LTE applications. The module includes broadband coverage of LTE FDD Band 7 and TDD Bands 38, 40, 41 and AXGP Band in a compact 2.0mm x 2.5mm package. Attaining high efficiencies throughout the entire power range while meeting LTE’s stringent linearity requirements, the PAM delivers what are claimed to be unsurpassed savings in current consumption for data-sensitive applications.

Skyworks is showcasing its product portfolio in Hall 6, Booth C41 (6C41) at the 2014 Mobile World Congress.

Tags: Skyworks FEM

Visit: www.skyworksinc.com