RF Micro Devices has rolled out four front end modules that are suitable for 3G and 4G switch and signal conditioning applications. The company's switch and signal conditioning product portfolio includes antenna switch modules, switch filter modules, switch duplexer modules, RF power management components, and low noise amplifiers. The RF8889A, the RF1291, the RF1194A, and the RF1196 front end modules are optimised to solve the complex RF requirements of 3G and 4G smartphones related to high band count and harmonics.
The RF8889A and RF1291 single-pole 10 throw ASMs (antenna switch modules) deliver good linearity performance and insertion loss for high-throw count applications. The ASMs are compatible with reference designs from Qualcomm, Intel and ST-Ericsson. They company claims that the ASMS are specifically targeted at smartphone applications in which the coexistence requirements of multiple radio standards place critical importance on switch linearity and harmonic performance.
The RF1194A SFM (switch filter module) delivers the linearity and insertion loss performance of the ASMs and expands the functionality by adding GSM (global system for mobile communication) Rx surface acoustic wave filters. The RF1196 SDM (switch duplexer module) delivers the switch and filter capabilities of the company's ASMs and SFMs, in addition to integrating a wideband code division multiple access band 1 duplexer. The SDM reduces the total solution size by delivering front end integration of all switch and filter requirements in a single front end module.
