RF&WirelessBlog

Teseq acquires Milmega to expand RF PA capability

Teseq has acquired UK-based Milmega, Ltd., a specialist in the design and manufacture of solid state, high-power microwave and RF amplifiers. Established in 1987, Milmega designs and manufactures high power amplifiers for commercial and government applications. The company’s core strength lies in the development of broadband RF power amplifiers operating in a frequency range from 80 MHz to 8 GHz with power levels to 1 kW. 

High-gain linear power amplifier suits LTE Infrastructure

Avago has introduced a high-gain, high-linearity power amplifier for high datarate applications found in 700-800 MHz cellular infrastructure equipment. The new high-linearity MGA-43128 amplifier provides excellent signal transmission quality with low power consumption for LTE AP, CPE, and picocell equipment and can also serve as a base station driver amplifier.

RFMD’s PAs power new smartphones

RF Micro Devices has started volume production of multiple 3G/4G power amplifiers in support of two smartphone families. The two most recent smartphones supported by RFMD feature RFMD's PowerSmart power platform and RFMD's RF724x family of ultra-high efficiency power amplifiers.
The first smartphone featuring RFMD's PowerSmart is a stylish, all-touch handset featuring a brilliant 3.2" high resolution display, a 5MP camera with flash and video recording, and preinstalled social networking apps for a smoothly integrated mobile experience. The second smartphone, featuring RFMD's RF7241, RF7242, RF7244, RF7245, and RF7258, is a powerful, full-featured smartphone with a high resolution touch display, a highly tactile keyboard, and a precise optical trackpad. The smartphone will be available in multiple triple-band 3G versions featuring RFMD's ultra-high efficiency 3G/4G PAs exclusively. Both smartphones are manufactured by a leading North America-based smartphone manufacturer.

RF module combines SAW filter, power amplifier and magnetic stabiliser module for mobile phones

Murata has announced the HFQPRAPCA series of RF wireless modules for mobile phones, comprising a SAW filter, power amplifier and magnetic stabiliser. Believed to be the world’s first module to combine the three components as a single package, it measures just 6.6 x 3.8 x 1.0 mm and aids a more integrated and compact design.

Amalfi launches second-generation CMOS power amplifier architecture

Emerging power amplifier company Amalfi Semiconductor has debuted the second generation of its high-performance CMOS-based transmit modules for front-end GSM/GPRS cellular handsets. The company’s AdaptiveRF architecture can incorporate highly integrated derivative functions including switches and complex filters, which the company says enables a reduction in front-end costs, size and power consumption.  The modules are targeted primarily at the high growth entry and ultra-low-cost (ULC) product segments in the emerging BRIC markets.

Skyworks acquires AnalogicTech

The news has broken that Skyworks, primarily known for its RF power amplifiers, is to acquire power management company Advanced Analogic Technologies (AnalogicTech). It will be interesting to see whether Skyworks merges AnalogicTech’s power management technology with its own, and since AnalogicTech has a big range of completely complementary products (battery chargers, DC-DC converters, voltage regulators, LED drivers) whether this definitively represents a move into markets outside of RF for Skyworks.

Skyworks PA powers Samsung’s first commercial LTE modem

Skyworks Solutions announced yesterday that Samsung Electronics is using one of its power amplifier (PA) modules in the Samsung GT-B3710 - a USB modem that it says is the world's first commercial LTE device. The compact and efficient SKY77706 LTE PA module is designed for multiple handset and data card applications, and will allow consumers to enjoy the benefits of high-speed data services such as advanced Web TV broadcasting, online gaming and Web conferencing.

Skyworks introduces CMOS FEM for entry-level phones

Skyworks has announced a cost-effective CMOS front-end module (FEM) aimed at entry-level Class 12 GPRS handsets. The SKY77555 is a transmit and receive FEM based on CMOS PAs for dual-band cellular handsets that combine GSM900 and DCS1800 operation. Designed in a low profile and compact 5 x 6mm form factor, the FEM includes a complete transmit VCO-to-antenna and a receiver SAW filter. By eliminating the need to optimize matching between the amplifier and the switch, this module helps accelerate customers' time-to-market relative to other more traditional architectures, and simplifies the supply chain for high-volume, cost-sensitive phones.

Freescale moves back into MMICs

Freescale has announced its re-entry into the GaAs MMIC market with four amplifiers designed for use in basestations and femtocells. Freescale pulled out of GaAs MMICs in 2007 when it sold its GaAs line to Skyworks, then began running down its CS1 GaAs fab in Tempe in Spring 2008, but transferred the main designers to the RF Division, where they joined other engineers involved in GaAs device development. They also retained more than 100 GaAs process and development patents.

Microwave semiconductor vendors M/A-COM and Mimix merge

M/A-COM Technology Solutions (M/A-COM Tech) and Mimix Broadband have announced that they are merging, in a move that M/A-COM Tech says will expand its high frequency semiconductor portfolio solutions and accelerate growth. Under the new arrangement Mimix and its subsidiaries will become part of the M/A-COM Tech family of companies.