Skyworks Unveils New 2.5 GHz WiMAX Front-End Module

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Skyworks Solutions has unveiled a new and highly integrated 2.5 GHz WiMAX front-end module - the SKY77258 - enabling mobile devices such as cellular handsets, smart phones, notebooks, and personal digital assistants. Skyworks’ differentiated solution leverages the company’s leadership capabilities in front-end modules and supports an unprecedented level of linear-output power and gain, along with unmatched ease-of-integration.

Mobile WiMAX, a wireless digital communications system also known as IEEE 802.16e, is intended for wireless "metropolitan area networks", providing broadband wireless access up to 30 miles (50 km) for fixed stations, and three - ten miles (5 - 15 km) for mobile stations. It is a second-generation protocol that allows for more efficient bandwidth use, interference avoidance, and higher data rates over longer distances – bridging the gap between fixed/nomadic wireless access technologies such as WiFi and mobile cellular technologies.

The market has been endorsed by operators, OEMs and semiconductor manufacturers who have increasingly focused their attention on this growing industry. For example, Sprint Nextel’s announcement last year to adopt mobile WiMAX as their next-generation 4G technology platform continued to validate the market.

According to In-Stat, a market research firm, WiMAX is poised for rapid growth as service providers are now able to buy WiMAX Forum-certified equipment. Worldwide subscribers are estimated to reach 222,000 in 2006 and are forecasted to grow to 19.7 million by 2010, with much of WiMAX’s early success coming from the under-developed regions of the world. Most of the subscribers are in the Asia/Pacific region, and almost all subscribers are using a fixed service today, with the exception of South Korea. In addition, WiMAX is primed to be a fixed wireless and mobile access solution that will co-exist alongside cellular 3G. The more developed the region, the more important it will be for WiMAX to be mobile.

The SKY77258 is a highly integrated FEM for WiMAX handsets and terminals. The device incorporates all of the necessary functions – from the transceiver’s differential inputs and outputs to the antenna – enabling industry leading form factors and unmatched ease-of-integration. The power amplifier is fabricated using Skyworks’ high reliability indium gallium phosphide heterojunction bipolar transistor technology, while the switch utilizes Skyworks’ pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor technology.

The PA, switch, coupler, detector, controller, baluns, low noise amplifiers, and matching components are packaged in a 36-pin, 8 x 10 millimeter multi-chip module, which allows for an extremely manufacturable, high-performance solution that enables ease-of-use, printed circuit board (PCB)-area reduction, and efficiency. The FEM provides a linear Pout of 24 decibels (dBm) at the switch output, together with a P1dB of over 35dBm to support the high peak-to-average ratio needed for multi-carrier WiMAX signals.

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