Skyworks Increases Shipments of GPRS Front-end Modules for SoC Applications

(Product News, 21 Feb 2008)

Skyworks Solutions Inc. has expanded its position in GPRS front-end modules (FEMs) through strategic engagements with leading system-on-chip (SoC) providers. To date, Skyworks has shipped more than 750 million GPRS power amplifiers (PAs) and FEMs, supporting the increasing demand for entry-level handsets in emerging markets.

Part of Skyworks' InteraLite portfolio of solutions, the low cost and small-form factor FEMs are now in volume production with several leading SOC providers including Infineon, MediaTek, Texas Instruments and NXP Semiconductors.

"Skyworks is uniquely suited to meet handset demand in this key segment," said Liam K. Griffin, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for Skyworks. "Capitalizing on our PA scale and innovative design strengths, the InteraLiteTM FEMs complement our existing EDGE and 3G portfolio, furthering our partnerships with baseband suppliers and OEMs who leverage SoC architectures as part of their low-end handset strategy."

Integrating a PA, PA controller and a switch, the FEMs leverage the company's advanced manufacturing techniques to reduce the radio frequency (RF) footprint and overall bill-of-materials. In emerging markets, both consumers and operators require handsets that are inexpensive, yet meet or exceed specific requirements for size, quality and reliability. Given its high-power efficiency, these solutions also maintain overall thermal performance and improve battery life.

The InteraLite Portfolio is led by three key devices. The SKY77318 module is designed for quad-band cellular GSM850/900, DCS1800 and PCS1900 handset applications, while the SKY77518 is a Tx-Rx FEM with integrated PA control (iPACTM) for dual-band cellular handsets comprising GSM900 and DCS1900 operation. Both solutions support GPRS multi-slot operation. The SKY77531 is a high-power efficiency Tx-Rx quad-band FEM with iPAC that contains a quad-band gallium arsenide (GaAs) heterojunction bipolar (HBT) PA, a 1P6T switch to enable flexible phone layout, and an integrated complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based controller to manage the PA and switch.

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Click here for more information on the SKY77531 module


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