Single-chip transceiver reduces component count

Silicon Laboratories has introduced the Aero IIe single-chip Edge transceiver - an easy-to-use, high performance RF transceiver for GSM/GPRS/Edge handsets, smart phones and data modems.

Silicon Laboratories has introduced the Aero IIe single-chip Edge transceiver - an easy-to-use, high performance RF transceiver for GSM/GPRS/Edge handsets, smart phones and data modems.

Based on Silicon Laboratories' Aero architecture, the Aero IIe transceiver delivers high data rates and industry leading performance to enable worldwide high-volume production of Edge devices.

It employs a unique dual-transmitter architecture for Edge that eliminates the transmit SAW from conventional linear transmitter architectures without the calibration complexity of existing polar radios.

The Aero IIe transceiver integrates the proven Aero digital low-IF receiver technology to deliver the highest receive sensitivity in the industry, says the company.

The Aero IIe transceiver also integrates the highly-integrated digitally-controlled crystal oscillator (DCXO) to minimise the radio bill-of-materials.

Unlike competing polar architectures that require custom components, the Aero IIe architecture is compatible with PAs and basebands from all leading vendors in the market.

"Many cellular service operators have upgraded their existing networks from GSM/GPRS to Edge to offer new services such as audio and video download as well as multi-media streaming that was not possible before with 2G networks", said Dan Rabinovitsj, Vice President of Silicon Laboratories.

"Handset makers need optimised silicon solutions that deliver the highest performance with minimal calibration complexity to facilitate high-volume production of Edge handsets in the market".

"The Aero IIe one-step transmitter calibration for Edge dramatically simplifies the manufacturing flow resulting in increased production yield and throughput for handset manufacturers".

The Aero IIe transceiver is the fourth generation of Silicon Laboratories' proven Aero transceiver family which has shipped into more than 225 million handsets worldwide.

The Aero IIe uses a standard 0.13um CMOS process and is available in a 5 x 6mm package.

With the option of a receive SAW filter bank, the Aero IIe transceiver enables an entire quad-band GSM/GPRS/Edge radio to be implemented with only 26 components and 3.3cm2 of board space, making it ideal for feature-rich GSM/GPRS/Edge handsets, smart phones and PDAs.

The Aero IIe transceiver is available in a standard 36-pin QFN package.

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