Fujitsu Microelectronics Ltd.
Fujitsu Launches Multimode, Multiband RF Transceiver IC
- Eliminates external SAW filters, LNA, for compact solution -
Tokyo, September 14, 2009 - Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited today announced the first product in its entry into the mobile phone RF transceiver market,
in launching a RF transceiver IC for mobile phones supporting 2G GSM/GPS/EDGE and 3G UMTS/HSPA protocols, that includes a
3G DigRF(1) interface on a single chip. The compact new transceiver IC also eliminates the need for external SAW filters(2) and low-noise amplifiers (LNA)(3), and enables mobile phone manufacturers to reduce component count, board space and bill of materials. Additionally, a new
simplified programming model helps to significantly reduce development time and simplify integration of the RF into a radio
platform. Samples of the MB86L01A transceiver IC are available from today.
In today’s global mobile phone markets there are increasing needs for multimode support for the various 2G and 3G communications
protocols in use, as well as multiband support for the various frequency bands used in different regions, and allotted to
different carriers. Mobile phone manufacturers are faced with trying to supply not only the multitude of combinations of these
modes and frequencies, but also have to deal with the demands of ever-shortening product lifecycles and smaller form-factors.
This new MB86L01A RF transceiver IC is designed to help mobile phone manufacturers meet these demands.
The new RF transceiver IC supports all frequency bands for 2G protocols of GSM/GPRS/EDGE, as well as supporting a maximum
of 4 bands simultaneously within the 10 frequency bands of the 3G protocols. UMTS/HSPA.
The MB86L01A transceiver also embeds LNAs on-chip, so external LNAs are not required, as they were previously. Also, an architecture
is employed that eliminates the need for external SAW filters, thus reducing total component count. Enclosed in a small form-factor
142-pin LGA package of 7.1mm x 5.9mm, the reduced space of the RF system helps realize smaller form-factor mobile phones.
Previously, RF design was focused on hardware with analog circuits. This transceiver IC includes digital circuit technology
so that it can output digital signals to allow control of external components - such as antenna switch and power amplifier
- thus simplifying the system. In addition, an embedded CPU allows simple programming to control functionality of the RF system
and ease of making filtering adjustments. This simplified programming model significantly reduces development, testing and
verification time.
Also integrated into the transceiver is a 3G DigRF interface, a standard for connecting a transceiver IC and baseband IC,
thus making it compatible with DigRF baseband ICs.
The development of the MB86L01A transceiver IC was enabled in part by the recent acquisition by Fujitsu Microelectronics of
licenses and rights to the technology and intellectual property related to Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.’s RF transceiver
products for mobile phones, and by Fujitsu’s acquisition of a RF team from Freescale in Tempe, Arizona, U.S. More than 130
of those design engineers are working on RF transceiver IC design, architecture, validation, verification, and reference designs.
The group is also working on next-generation high bit-rate transceiver ICs.
Fujitsu Microelectronics is dedicated to increasing the competitiveness of its customers’ end products, and thus going forward
will continue to provide advanced RF transceiver solutions and other semiconductor products, such as power management ICs.
Sample Availability
MB86L01A: From early September, 2009
Sales Target
1 million units per month during the present fiscal year ending March 2010.
Key Features
- Reduces component count, board space with elimination of SAW filters and LNAs
Previously, it was necessary to use external SAW filters to reduce noise from the transmitter circuits of the RF IC to the power amplifier. However, with the proprietary design of the transmitter circuits in this new RF transceiver, low noise output is achieved, thus eliminating the need for UMTS transmit SAW filters. Similarly for the UMTS/GSM receiver circuits, previously an external SAW filter was necessary in front of the receiver circuits to reduce degradation of signal-receiving sensitivity. Again, the proprietary design of this transceiver has eliminated the need for receive SAW filters. Also, a LNA was integrated into the receiver circuits of the IC.
This can reduce the number of components needed by a maximum of 20 components compared to previous configurations, thereby simplifying the design of the RF portion of the system. Thus, board space can be reduced by over 10% as well as reduction in the bill of materials. - New programming model reduces development burden
By programming the embedded CPU, it becomes possible to control various internal functionality. Thus, for a change in the internal configuration of a mobile phone, a change in IC hardware is not necessary, but is handled through programming of the CPU to control internal sequencing or tuning of digital filters. This simplified programming model helps significantly reduce development and verification time and simplifies integration of the RF system into mobile phone platforms. - Supports UMTS/HSPA and GSM/GPRS/EDGE protocols in 1-chip
This RF Transceiver supports 4 bands for GSM/GPRS/EDGE: GSM850, EGSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900. As well as supporting a maximum of 4 bands simultaneously within the UMTS/HSPA bands: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, and XI. This transceiver also supports HSDPA(4) with maximum downlink transmissions speeds of 14.4Mbps, as well as HSUPA(5) with maximum uplink transmissions speeds of 5.7Mbps. - Supports DigRF standard interface
This RF transceiver IC includes the DigRF interface, version 3.09, a standard interface between RF ICs and baseband ICs defined by the MIPI Alliance. Thus is compatible with DigRF baseband ICs.
Attachment
PDF Overview of the RF Transceiver IC, MB86L01A [13KB]
Glossary and Notes
- 1 DigRF:
- An interface standard for connection between the RF IC and baseband IC in wireless mobile devices.
- 2 SAW filter:
- A filter designed to reduce noise by using a Surface Acoustic Wave in a piezoelectric material.
- 3 LNA:
- Low Noise Amplifier. Located at the front-end of the receiver, it amplifies the signal while adding as little noise as possible.
- 4 HSDPA:
- High Speed Downlink Packet Access. A specification within W-CDMA for downlink data transmissions.
- 5 HSUPA:
- High Speed Uplink Packet Access. A specification within W-CDMA for uplink data transmissions.
For more information
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About Fujitsu Microelectronics
Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited designs and manufactures semiconductors, providing highly reliable, optimal solutions and
support to meet the varying needs of its customers. Products and services include ASICs/COT, ASSPs, power management ICs,
and flash microcontrollers, with wide-ranging expertise focusing on imaging, wireless, automotive and security applications.
Fujitsu Microelectronics also drives power efficiency and environmental initiatives. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Microelectronics
Limited was established as a subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited on March 21, 2008. Through its global sales and development network,
with sites in Japan and throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas, Fujitsu Microelectronics offers semiconductor solutions
to the global marketplace.
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