Europe : RF Micro Devicesannounced the RF628x family of products, which combine to provide a UMTS transmit system for the implementation of multi-region multimode 3G handset platforms.
RFMD’s UMTS transmit system supports all major UMTS frequency bands and is comprised of the RF6280 (announced separately today), RF6281 and RF6285. The transmit system features a dedicated single-band power amplifier module (supporting Band I), a flexible dual-band power amplifier module (capable of supporting Bands I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX) and a low-noise, high efficiency DC to DC converter/controller. The compact design of the RF628x transmit system enables a greater than 30% reduction in the implementation of tri-band UMTS solutions, including filtering, as compared to competitive solutions.
By leveraging the broadband characteristics of the dual-band RF6285, the transmit system greatly simplifies the implementation of multimode, multi-region 3G handset platforms. In addition, by leveraging a balanced PA architecture, the transmit system provides improved total radiated power (TRP) and specific absorption rate (SAR) performance, which eliminates the need for costly RF isolators and also greatly simplifies platform implementation.
RFMD’s transmit system offers best-in-class efficiency through the use of analog bias control and the RF6280 DC to DC converter/controller, which maximize efficiency across all power levels and data rates (voice-only to HSPA). This helps to extend talk time and reduces thermal dissipation, both of which are critical customer metrics.
Konrad Alvarino, general manager of RFMD’s components business unit, said, “The RF6280, RF6281 and RF6285 UMTS transmit system strengthens RFMD’s position as the number one supplier of UMTS power amplifiers. Importantly, RFMD’s UMTS transmit system provides our customers the flexibility to design a single platform that supports multiple UMTS regions by simply changing filter components. No change to the phone board’s RF layout is necessary. When combined with the benefits of improved TRP and SAR and best-in-class efficiency, the transmit system delivers a compelling solution to customers seeking a cost-effective and highly efficient flexible UMTS platform.”
Total radiated power (TRP) is the measure of a mobile device's radiated output power. TRP is a function of the output power of the power amplifier, the antenna’s radiation efficiency and the power amplifier’s sensitivity to antenna mismatch. Antenna mismatch occurs in all handsets and is more predominant in multi-band “worldphones” because of the increase in the number of bands supported by the antenna. As a result of antenna mismatch, handsets can operate below planned output power, resulting in dropped calls, or above planned output power, resulting in reduced talk time and poor call quality. Improvements in TRP increase network efficiency, network coverage and data throughput rates while also reducing the frequency of dropped calls. RFMD has shipped approximately 20 million power amplifiers to date that reduce variation in output power into mismatched antennas and deliver industry-leading TRP performance.
RFMD forecasts the 3G multimode market will exceed 500 million handsets by 2010, reflecting a compound annual growth rate approaching 40%. Additionally, RFMD estimates that the number of UMTS frequency bands supported by the average 3G multimode device will approximately double by 2010. RFMD is the global leader in UMTS power amplifiers.
The RF6280, RF6281 and RF6285 all comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) and will be available for sampling in the third quarter of 2007.
