RF Micro Devices Introduces Quad-Band POLARIS TOTAL RADIO Transceiver with Direct Conversion Capability
2/4/2003 - RF Micro Devices, Inc. (Nasdaq: RFMD), a leading provider of proprietary radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for wireless communications applications, introduced an enhanced POLARIS(TM) TOTAL RADIO(TM) transceiver with quad-band and direct conversion capabilities.
The POLARIS TOTAL RADIO solution is a highly integrated radio transceiver for GSM and GPRS applications. The chipset performs all functions associated with the RF section of a handset and provides handset manufacturers the benefits of reduced component count, flexible baseband interfaces and lower cost of implementation.
The POLARIS transceiver is comprised of the RF6001 mixed-signal processor, the RF3133 power amplifier module with integrated power control and either of two new receivers - the RF2710 or RF2716. Both the RF2710 and RF2716 add quad-band functionality to the POLARIS transceiver; the RF2716 also offers a direct conversion mode, supporting E-GPRS receive capability.
"By introducing both quad-band and direct conversion capability to the POLARIS transceiver, we are further demonstrating our commitment to providing customers best-in-class complete radio solutions at an affordable price," said Brent Wilkins, senior marketing manager for GSM, GPRS and E-GPRS transceivers at RF Micro Devices. "By offering a true quad-band radio solution, RFMD is providing customers the flexibility to develop a single platform that can be manufactured as a dual-, triple- or quad-band handset, minimizing their engineering effort, time-to-market and development cost."
The quad-band POLARIS transceiver supports the U.S. cellular (850 MHz), GSM (900 MHz), DCS (1800 MHz) and PCS (1900 MHz) frequency bands and consists of the following components.
- RF2710 or RF2716 - The SiGe BiCMOS quad-band receivers feature a polyphase down-converting mixer, a bandpass filter and DC offset correction. Both devices are offered in a 5 x 5 mm leadless plastic package.
- RF6001 - The CMOS mixed signal processor includes digital channel filters, fractional-N frequency synthesizer, digital GMSK modulator and integrated power ramp DAC. The RF6001 is offered in a 7 x 7 mm leadless plastic package.
- RF3133 - One of RFMD's second-generation PowerStar(TM) power amplifier (PA) modules with integrated power control circuitry, the RF3133 is manufactured using GaAs HBT and silicon CMOS technologies and features internal matching components. The device is offered in a 7 x 10 mm leadless plastic package.
The POLARIS transceiver exceeds all European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) specification requirements and features enhanced receiver sensitivity, as well as the ability to handle EDGE modulated signals. 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, significantly reducing the complete radio component count. The POLARIS transceiver offers both very low intermediate frequency and direct conversion modes of operation, eliminating all IF SAW filters. The transceiver includes a fractional-N-based digital modulator for reduced power consumption. The chipset is compatible with all major baseband devices and also provides selectable digital baseband interfaces on both receive and transmit paths enabling direct interface to emerging digital baseband products.
Samples of fully assembled RF system boards of the quad-band POLARIS TOTAL RADIO transceiver are available now. The transceiver chip set is priced at $8.50 in quantities of 10,000 units.
RF Micro Devices, Inc., an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer, designs, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) primarily for wireless communications products and applications such as cellular and PCS phones, base stations, wireless LANs, and cable television modems. The Company offers a broad array of products - including amplifiers, mixers, modulators/demodulators, and single-chip receivers, transmitters and transceivers - representing a substantial majority of the RFICs required in wireless subscriber equipment. The Company's strategy is to focus on wireless markets by offering a broad range of standard and custom-designed RFICs in order to position itself as a "one-stop" solution for its customers' RFIC needs. RF Micro Devices, Inc. is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol RFMD. For more information on RFMD or the POLARIS TOTAL RADIO transceiver, please visit www.rfmd.com.
RF MICRO DEVICES(R), RFMD(R), POLARIS(TM) TOTAL RADIO(TM) and PowerStar(TM) are trademarks of RFMD, LLC.
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