20 May 2015

Skyworks unveils next-gen FEMs for smart energy and ISM markets

Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA (which manufactures analog and mixed-signal semiconductors) has introduced its next-generation solutions for smart energy and industrial, scientific & medical (ISM) markets.

The firm's newest devices are high-performance front-end modules (FEMs) that incorporate a complete transmit/receive chain with associated switching, filtering and logic. Given their high output power and power-added efficiency (PAE), the new family of FEMs is suitable for utility infrastructure platforms such as smart meters, which are battery powered and require fast on/off transitions.

"Our newest solutions are being leveraged by several customers to create differentiated devices and enable operational efficiencies across multiple gas and water metering applications," says John O'Neill, VP of broad markets. 

Smart meters are digital meters that send energy usage information from the customer site to a utility company via radio frequency. These newer digital electronic devices are capable of tracking and recording a customer's energy usage as well as communicating with the energy supplier. Smart meters help to reduce meter reading and connection costs as well as inefficiencies in operations and billing.

According to a Business Intelligence (BI) report, smart meters have become one of the leading Internet of Things (IoT) devices and will account for 10% of IoT shipments this year. Globally, BI expects the number of smart meters to increase at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% from an installed base of 454 million in 2015 to 930 million by 2020. Many of these devices will be enabled by Skyworks' technology, says the firm.

An example of Skyworks' next-generation smart energy solutions the SKY65377-11, a front-end module with a complete transmit/receive chain and associated switching and filtering. The device features +30dBm output power, low leakage current shutdown and 40% PAE. It is mounted in a 28-pin, 6mm x 6mm surface-mount technology package. The SKY65377-11 and other smart energy solutions are currently available for sampling and production.

Tags: Skyworks

Visit: www.skyworksinc.com/Product/3114/SKY65377-11