30 July 2018

Skyworks launches 5G antenna tuning solutions

© Semiconductor Today Magazine / Juno PublishiPicture: Disco’s DAL7440 KABRA laser saw.

Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA (which makes analog and mixed-signal semiconductors) has unveiled the latest solutions from its Sky5 portfolio, the firm’s unifying platform enabling 5G applications.

Skyworks’ new wideband 16-state antenna aperture tuners are extremely compact and designed to deliver improved efficiency and enhanced bandwidth coverage ─ from 600MHz to 6GHz for LTE Advanced Pro to emerging 5G standards ─ across a wide range of mobile devices.

Antenna tuning plays a critical role in maintaining smartphone power efficiency and battery life, particularly as signal processing complexity continues to rise with the onset of 5G. With smartphone makers adding new features such as 4x4 multiple-in, multiple-out (MIMO) and 5G new radio (NR) for 2019 applications, next generation architectures must embed significantly more antennas. New bezel-less smartphones integrate anywhere from four to seven antennas to support future data demand versus the two to four average antenna count within today’s platforms. At the same time, the migration to full-screen infinity displays and expanded functionality limit the amount of board space available. Skyworks’ antenna tuning solutions leverage proprietary design and process techniques to help drive antenna performance while meeting stringent linearity demands and size constraints.

“Skyworks is at the forefront of developing breakthrough solutions for revolutionary 5G applications,” claims Carlos Bori, senior VP of sales & marketing. “With best-in-class performance, our antenna tuners are playing a pivotal role in enabling 4x4 MIMO-capable mobile devices as global demand for emerging 5G applications is set to explode.”

The SKY5-9256-701LF aperture tuner features reliable linear operation and extremely low Ron (1.1Ω) and Coff (145fF) to deliver what is claimed to be superior antenna performance, allowing system designers to recover the 1.5-3dB gain degradation caused by shrinking antenna sizes. The MIPI-controlled, 16-state capability of the tuner also gives engineers the ability to combine arms for even smaller Ron and Coff. Excellent harmonics are delivered throughout the operating range, it is claimed, helping to achieve RSE requirements and passing certification.

Skyworks is leveraging its technology expertise to meet requirements for low, mid, high, and ultra-high cellular frequency bands. All Sky5 solutions support new 5G waveforms and spectrum in addition to enhanced carrier aggregation and dual connectivity (4G/5G) while delivering what are claimed to be exceptional levels of integration and performance. Sky5 products also offer a MIPI interface and are highly flexible, featuring customizable architectures that help deliver performance, footprint and power efficiency with 100MHz CP-OFDM modulation. The Sky5 portfolio includes:

• SKY5-8250 – a 5G NR power amplifier module with integrated filtering and dual-path low-noise amplifiers (LNA) supporting n77, n78, n79 and b42, b43, b48 bands. The device also uses SkyBlue technology and integrates a dual antenna output.
• SKY5-3728 – a 5G NR diversity receive module with integrated filtering and dual-path LNAs supporting n77, n78, n79 and b42, b43, b48 bands. The device also integrates antenna switching functionality, enabling PCB design flexibility as well as 5G NR SRS hopping support.
• SKY5-5761 – a cellular vehicular-to-everything (C-V2X) front-end module with Class 2 power and integrated gain control.
• SKY5-5811 – an LAA receive module with integrated bypass LNA and variable gain control.

See related items:

Skyworks unveils suite of Sky5 solutions for 5G wireless communications

Skyworks launches Sky5 platform for 5G global communications

Tags: Skyworks

Visit: www.skyworksinc.com/Sky5