- 06 April 2006 -

Skyworks dual-band front-end modules target ultra low-cost handset market

Skyworks Solutions, Inc., has introduced a pair of ultra compact, dual band transmit GSM/GPRS front-end modules (FEMs) for handsets targeted at emerging markets. The SKY77517 and SKY77518 are low-cost, highly integrated solutions that simplify radio design and leverage Skyworks' advanced manufacturing techniques to shrink the RF footprint and reduce bill of materials - two key challenges OEMs face when designing low-cost phones.

In emerging markets, both consumers and operators require handsets that are inexpensive yet meet or exceed specific requirements for quality, reliability and size.

"Skyworks is pleased to lead the effort to provide cost-effective, high-performance solutions which meet the primary development obstacles for cellular phones in emerging markets," said Kevin D. Barber, senior VP and GM for Mobile Platforms at Skyworks. "Our simplified front-end module architecture provides significant cost benefits in R&D, logistics and manufacturing, enabling handset providers to meet the increasing demands of this high-volume market."

With the addition of the SKY77517 and SKY77518, Skyworks' family of Intera(TM) front-end modules now support all key air interfaces and market segments, expanding the company's highly successful GPRS, EDGE, CDMA and WCDMA product portfolio that today are at the heart of over 100 million handsets.

Designed in low profile, compact form factor, the highly efficient 6 x 8 x 1.2 mm SKY77517 and SKY77518 offer a complete transmit VCO-to-antenna and antenna-to-receive SAW filter solution. The module also supports GPRS multi-slot operation and consists of impedance-matching circuitry for 50 ohm input and output impedances, transmit harmonics filtering, high-linearity and low-insertion loss pHEMT RF switches, diplexer and power amplifier control block with internal current sense resistor.

A custom BiCMOS integrated circuit enables the internal PAC function and decoder circuitry to control the RF switches. The two HBT blocks are fabricated on a single GaAs die. In addition, the SKY77517 and SKY77518 are compliant with Skyworks' "Green Initiatives" program for lead-free and restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS)-compliant products.

Editorial Comment: Skyworks is among the Top 5 III-V MMIC providers and is showcasing its wares at the popular CTIA Wireless 2006 show in Las Vegas this week. It is also promoting its Intera FEMs and Helios EDGE radio solutions. The latest offerings, the SKY77517 and SKY77518, will be on show but sampling will not be for another few months - June, the company said, and they will be priced at a very competitive US$2.50 apiece (in quantities of 10,000) and anticpating huge customer demand, they will go into full production by the year-end. To gauge likely take up one only has to look at what the industry watchers are predicting for this new segment of the RF chip market. ABI Research reckons that even though some 80% of the world's population lives within range of a cellular network, only a quarter presently subscribe to mobile phone services. In order to get them on board, industry observers - and just about all the big OEMs - have set in action plans for lower-cost handsets. These are key to establishing and growing the market. Not surprisingly since the estimated market could reach three billion customers.