Skyworks Solutions has introduced the industry’s first suite of high performance broadband synthesizers spanning ultra wide frequency ranges from 375 MHz to 5.6 GHz. Skyworks’ new device, which is designed to cover all GSM, WCDMA and LTE frequency bands with one device, supports the world’s leading 3G and 4G base station providers including Ericsson, Huawei, ZTE, Alcatel/Lucent, and Nokia/Siemens. Leveraging state-of-the-art design techniques, Skyworks has been able to deliver very stringent requirements all on a single silicon die. The SKY73134’s performance allows radio designers to support increasing levels of voice and data traffic volumes, enables design flexibility across multiple applications, and is applicable for use in microwave-link and software-defined radios. With the addition of this new synthesizer, Skyworks continues to broaden its infrastructure and linear products portfolio. At a higher level, the company is capitalizing on mobile Internet applications – supporting both handsets as well as infrastructure networks. According to Cisco, mobile data traffic volumes are projected to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of 131 percent from 2008 to 2013. As a result, mobile operators will need to begin to install new base stations, routers and backhaul network equipment starting now to avoid network traffic jams and to preserve their highly profitable data service revenue. Furthermore, upgrades and expansion to existing infrastructure will be needed – requiring increased analog and mixed signal content. The SKY73134 addresses these needs and does so with one common device for all platforms. “Skyworks is pleased to be expanding its product portfolio with a solution offering the broadest frequency range available on the market today,” said Wesley Boyd, director of marketing at Skyworks. “This breakthrough synthesizer enables customers to implement a one-chip solution for all frequencies versus more than ten different discrete solutions – significantly reducing board size requirements, cost, and streamlining customer supply logistics.” About the SKY73134 The SKY73134 is a wideband integer-N frequency synthesizer with an approximate 6 GHz locking range. This extremely small 5 x 5 millimeter (mm) device includes four differential VCOs which, by applying internal VCO frequency division, continuously cover the output frequency from 0.375 to 5.6 GHz. The integrated phase noise from 100 Hz to 100 kHz measures less than 0.6 degree RMS at 960 MHz frequency. In addition, the phase noises at 100 kHz, 1 MHz and 3 MHz frequency offsets are -115 dBc/Hz, -143 dBc/Hz and 150 dBc/Hz respectively, making the SKY73134 an ideal solution for GSM/EDGE, CDMA/WCDMA and LTE base station transceivers. The SKY73134 is controlled by a bi-directional read/write serial to parallel interface which allows flexible device configurations that may be locked with an external VCO or external PLL, or be used as a divider chain only. Furthermore, the device is a key building block for any radio system design including backhaul, military and satellite applications that require a combination of high performance, low power and multi-purpose features. Pricing and Availability Volume production of the SKY73134 is scheduled to begin in April 2010.

 

 

RAYSPAN announced the availability of RAYSPAN MTM-E™ solutions for long-term evolution (LTE). MTM-E™ is the only antenna solution that can support six or more bands operating from 698 MHz to 960 MHz in the low band and 1710-2170 MHz as well as 2.6 GHz in the high band without requiring any switching elements or matching circuits. MTM-E™ is the smallest LTE antenna platform available, meeting the requirements for portable LTE devices such as mobile phones, laptops, USB dongles, wireless routers and wireless modems. The RAYSPAN® MTM-E™ solution is the only antenna technology that offers integrated LTE, 3G, Bluetooth and GPS all from a single-feed antenna solution.

"RAYSPAN® MTM-E™ is uniquely suited to the requirements of wireless and mobile standards, and especially LTE,” stated Gregory Poilasne, VP of Business Development at Rayspan. “We are pleased to be able to offer an LTE antenna solution that not only leads the industry in performance, integration, low power consumption and time to market, but is ready for manufacturers today.”

Unlike competing 3D antennas designed for LTE, the MTM-E™ antenna is a simple 2D design in which copper artwork is printed directly on a device’s printed circuit board (PCB) using standard PCB manufacturing techniques. This enables MTM structures to be built using the finest line widths and spacing available for antennas. These MTM structures, along with eliminating the need for switching elements and matching circuits, simplify system integration, lower power consumption, accelerate time to market and allow for smaller handset designs.

The RAYSPAN® MTM-E™ solution complies with the current LTE standard which calls for multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) technology requiring two separate antenna structures that operate over the same frequency band, at the same time, and from the same location. The MTM-E™ MIMO antenna solution exhibits excellent MIMO gain performance with >50% efficiency values in free-space for handset applications, better than -10dB in near field isolation, and better than 0.3 far-field envelop correlation coefficient. The secondary LTE MIMO antenna also supports 3G diversity and GPS applications.

The RAYSPAN® MTM-E™ solution has been demonstrated for handsets, USB dongles, and integrated laptop applications as well as customer premise equipment such as Femtocell devices and is available for license today.

Anritsu Company extends its leadership position in LTE test with the introduction of an option that allows its MT8221B BTS Master handheld base station analyzer to accurately and easily measure all defined LTE bandwidths and frequencies. The first handheld instrument to cover LTE end-to-end, the MT8221B allows field engineers and technicians to conduct RF, modulation, and Over-the-Air (OTA) measurements on signals during the deployment, installation, and operation of LTE networks.

When equipped with the new LTE measurement option, the MT8221B BTS Master provides RF and modulation quality measurement capabilities for LTE bandwidths from 1.4 MHz all the way through to 20 MHz. No other handheld instrument provides similar LTE coverage and measurement capability.

Anritsu has also developed LTE options for its MT8222A BTS Master and MT8212E Cell Master, to offer operators testing flexibility. The LTE option for the MT8212E allows the handheld instrument to measure RF and modulation at 1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, and 10 MHz bandwidths, while the option for the MT8222A extends its LTE bandwidth coverage down to 1.4 MHz. An existing option allowed the MT8222A to measure the 10 MHz bandwidth.

Users can validate the over-the-air performance of the complete eNode-B system, as well as troubleshoot problems with an LTE signal when the BTS Master and Cell Master analyzers are equipped with the OTA option. The OTA option can also be used to verify/validate LTE signal coverage with the instruments’ scanner functionality.

The enhancements were designed to meet operator requirements worldwide and continue Anritsu’s commitment to developing test solutions for the design, manufacture, and deployment of LTE devices, systems, and networks. Anritsu is the only company that offers LTE handheld test solutions and has one of the widest test portfolios to ensure the successful rollout of the LTE technology.

Designed for Use with Handheld Analyzers

The MT8212E is a handheld multi-function base station analyzer that combines all the tools required to deploy, maintain and troubleshoot wireless base stations into a lightweight, battery-operated package. Integrating all this functionality in a single instrument eliminates the need to buy separate equipment for new and legacy networks, which increases efficiencies and simplifies data acquisition.

BTS Master is an integrated multi-functional base station test tool that eliminates the need to carry and learn multiple test sets. In addition to RF, demodulation and OTA measurements, capabilities include spectrum analysis, precision return loss, VSWR, cable loss, distance-to-fault, two-port gain/loss, one- and two-port magnitude and phase, interference analysis, and spectrogram.

Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) has recognized Aeroflex’s contributions to 4G wireless technology with a 4GWE Product of the Year award for the 7100 Digital Radio Test Set. Award recipients represent the most innovative new products brought to market during 2009.

“TMC’s editors selected companies that demonstrated vision and leadership. Companies are recognized for their proven commitment to quality and excellence while addressing needs in the marketplace,” said Carl Ford, founder and community developer of Crossfire Media.

“The 7100 Digital Radio Test Set is a breakthrough product,” said Phil Medd, product manager, Aeroflex Test Solutions. “It puts an unprecedented level of control of layers 1, 2, and 3 at the fingertips of the development engineer.”

About the 7100 Digital Radio Test Set

Based on Aeroflex’s tried and tested RF and baseband technology, the 7100 Digital Radio Test Set is unique in its support of both RF parametric and protocol testing for LTE terminal devices. The 7100 Series simulates a network from the physical layer to the core network IP infrastructure.

Aeroflex Wins 4GWE Product of Year Award

Handsets—the Aeroflex 7100 Series is a comprehensive test system for LTE mobile devices incorporated into a small footprint, single bench-top instrument.

Price and availability

The 7100 Digital Radio Test Set is available immediately for order. Pricing depends upon the hardware and software options ordered.