>>GREENSBORO, N.C., Feb 11, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
RF Micro Devices
Strategic Highlights
--Highly Integrated POLARIS(TM) TOTAL RADIO(TM) Transceiver Features Low Component Count And Very Low Intermediate Frequency (VLIF) Architecture
--POLARIS TOTAL RADIO Transceiver Replaces Multiple Components And Increases RF Micro Devices' Content Per Phone
RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: RFMD chart, msgs), a leading provider of proprietary radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for wireless communications applications, today announced the availability of the POLARIS(TM) TOTAL RADIO(TM) transceiver, a highly integrated, triple-band radio for GSM and GPRS applications with EDGE receive capabilities.
The POLARIS transceiver performs all major functions of the RF section, including both transmit and receive, and provides handset manufacturers the benefits of reduced component count, flexible baseband interfaces and lower cost of implementation.
"The POLARIS TOTAL RADIO transceiver sets the new standard in complete, integrated GSM/GPRS radio solutions," said Alastair Upton, director of the digital cellular product line at RF Micro Devices. "We expect the low component count, flexible baseband interfaces and lower total cost will generate great interest in a market that values small size, low cost and ease of implementation."
David A. Norbury, president and CEO of RF Micro Devices, said, "As part of our ongoing growth strategy, we intend to continue to expand our content in wireless handsets. By integrating all the components of the radio, we expect the POLARIS transceiver will increase our content in GSM and GPRS handsets while providing customers a cost-effective solution with significantly fewer components than competitive products."
With approximately 650 million subscribers, GSM is the world's leading air interface standard. Derivatives of GSM, such as GPRS and EDGE, have much higher data rate capabilities and are expected to drive new subscriber growth and replacement purchases.
"The introduction of our POLARIS transceiver is a testament to the extensive development and design resources of our digital cellular and power amplifier product lines," said Bob Bruggeworth, president of the wireless products group at RF Micro Devices. "The POLARIS transceiver underscores our commitment to providing a range of integrated RF solutions, and we anticipate significant customer interest."
The POLARIS transceiver exceeds all European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) specification requirements and features enhanced receiver sensitivity and the ability to handle EDGE modulated signals.
Technical Features
Driven by high levels of integration in both the transmit and receive functions, the POLARIS transceiver significantly reduces the number of components required to implement a complete GSM/GPRS radio. All VCOs, associated loop filters and many of the power supply bypass capacitors are integrated on silicon, reducing the complete radio component count to fewer than 20.
The POLARIS transceiver includes the first commercially available fractional-N-based digital modulator, eliminating the I/Q modulator, phase detector, mixer and loop filters implemented in translational-loop transmitters - the world's most common GSM transmit architecture. This direct digital modulator architecture enables outstanding spectral performance at a fraction of the power consumption of translational-loop transmitters.
The POLARIS transceiver uses a very low intermediate frequency (VLIF) architecture. VLIF enables the elimination of IF SAW filters, thereby contributing to the reduction in overall component count.
To ensure compatibility to all major baseband products, the receiver is designed to output a fully filtered DC signal eliminating any dependence on filtering within the baseband. Programmable analog I/Q baseband inputs and outputs are provided to support historic radio-to-baseband interfaces. Selectable digital baseband interfaces are also provided on both receive and transmit paths, enabling direct interface to emerging digital baseband products.
The POLARIS transceiver consists of the following:
--RF2708 - A SiGe BiCMOS receiver with three LNAs, polyphase down-converting mixer, bandpass filter and DC offset correction. The RF2708 is offered in a 5mm x 5mm leadless plastic package.
--RF6001 - A CMOS mixed signal processor with digital channel filters, fractional-N frequency synthesizer, digital GMSK modulator and integrated power ramp DAC. The RF6001 is offered in a 7mm x 7mm leadless plastic package.
--RF3133 - A GaAs HBT power amplifier module with internal matching components and integrated closed-loop power controller. The RF3133 is offered in a 7mm x 10mm leadless package.
Sampling of fully assembled RF system boards has begun, and production quantities are expected to be ready for shipment in the fourth quarter of 2002. The transceiver chip set is priced at $8.50 in quantities of 10,000 units.
RF Micro Devices plans to sample a quad-band version of the POLARIS transceiver later this year.
Benefits of VLIF
Similar to direct conversion, VLIF architecture reduces component count through the elimination of IF SAW filters. VLIF, however, overcomes known issues associated with direct conversion radios, such as errors caused by local oscillator signals leaking into the RF path. Also, direct conversion radios generally require higher IIP2 and more complex DC offset correction schemes, at the expense of increased circuit complexity and higher power consumption. VLIF radios avoid these issues and are easier to implement on a phone board.<<
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I believe -- but am not sure -- that RFMD is talking about its fiscal year. this would be the 4th Q right now. Tempted to call IR on this one.
Cheers, Tuck |
