Chipset cuts Edge RF down to three devices

A new fully FTA-compliant quad-band RF system solution for E-GPRS (Edge) handsets is already proven with many different basebands and is highly integrated, comprising just three major components.

A new fully FTA-compliant quad-band RF system solution for E-GPRS (Edge) handsets is already proven with many different basebands and is highly integrated, comprising just three major components.

The solution makes it easy for a manufacturer to implement Edge RF by automatically resolving some of the difficult technical issues, such as power control and managing TX noise, associated with this.

Samples are available now with mass production scheduled for mid-2004.

The highly integrated solution offers a complete quad-band RF subsystem for Edge in just three major components, simplifying procurement and reducing the risk of integrating separate components.

The system comprises power amplifier, RFIC (including direct conversion receiver and polar loop transmitter) and SAW front-end module.

All VCOs, the antenna switch, front-end filtering and power control are fully integrated.

Stephen Graham, RF Product Marketing Manager, Renesas Technology Europe, commented: "In two to three years over half of all GSM terminals manufactured could include Edge-capable radio subsystems.

Our polar loop RF subsystem solution represents the culmination of three years of development effort and offers the most stable and advanced solution for Edge available today".

The RF system offers extremely stable transmitter performance, including high resistance to variations in conditions at the antenna.

This prevents a call being disrupted if the impedance at the antenna changes dramatically.

It also removes the need for an additional, large and expensive isolator between the PA and the antenna that other Edge RF solutions might require to solve this problem.

The integrated system offers excellent TX noise performance, removing the need for any SAW filters in the TX path.

Other architectures, such as direct modulation, often need additional filtering in the transmitter.

The solution also enables dual, triple or quad-band products to be produced from the same platform by choosing different front-end modules with the same footprint.

This optimises handset production and reduces costs.

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