TriQuint Promotes Complete RF Front-End Design for WCDMA / EDGE Handsets
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HILLSBORO, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2006--
Products to be Released at GSM World Congress Support 3G Design Evolution, Offer Best-in-Class Integration / Better Power Conservation / Greater Cost Savings / Quicker Design Cycles
TriQuint Semiconductor (Nasdaq:TQNT) today announced the release of its Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) total RF front-end solution supported by a complete product line-up of highly-integrated modules that offer manufacturers best-in-class power efficiency, greater battery conservation, lower cost and smaller module sizes that enable the compact 3G handsets consumers favor. Development of TriQuint's complete WCDMA RF front-end solution (signal amplification, switching and filtering between the antenna and transceiver) comes in response to the wireless phone industry's transition from GPRS (general packet radio service), to the higher data rates offered by EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution), and the move toward full-3G data rates (up to 2.3 Mbps) offered by WCDMA.
As EDGE systems grow (more than 37 million subscribers in 2005, according to the GSM Association), and manufacturers look toward realizing even higher data rates in WCDMA systems, TriQuint sees the opportunity to use its broad in-house technology portfolio (gallium arsenide (GaAs) for switches and power amplifiers, surface acoustic wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) for filtering, along with TriQuint's proprietary technology including CuFlip(TM) flip-chip copper pillar interconnect processes), to maximize efficiency between front-end components, producing multiple benefits for WCDMA / EDGE manufacturers.
"TriQuint's goal is to simplify design of the handset RF front-end," remarked Bruce Fournier, TriQuint Vice President. "To that end, we have assembled an array of technologies that enable us to provide designers with integrated RF blocks that speed time to market while providing the performance and size advantages that have long been associated with technology integration."
TriQuint's system for maximizing WCDMA and EDGE handset efficiency is detailed in Figure 1 and Figure 2. These figures use simplified 'block diagram'-type representations to describe key system components.
"The GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) reported in January that by the end of 2005, there were 100 3G (WCDMA) networks operating in 42 countries -- growth of more than 20% in one year. Consumers are drawn to the high data rates of 3G and the services they enable, but, because 3G handsets are more complex, the handsets at first tended to be bigger and bulkier than previous generations. TriQuint has been driving size through integration, enabling designers to create small and thin form factors for their next generation of handsets," said Fournier.
TriQuint will unveil products that realize the promise of a truly integrated WCDMA and EDGE RF front end at the 2006 GSM World Congress in Barcelona. These future releases will include:
-- WCDMA switch module (p/n 890047): TriQuint's switch module combines GaAs signal switching with a diplexer providing a seamless switch function between the GSM and WCDMA bands. These switch modules also deliver the essential high linearity and out-of-band blocking that WCDMA signals require while also preserving the GSM harmonic requirements.
-- WCDMA transmit modules for key bands within 3G handsets (p/n TQM616017, TQM666017 and TQM676001). These modules incorporate integration along the signal path to maintain integrity. The first two modules also provide the essential 'duplexing' function needed in WCDMA handsets to separate transmit (Tx) from receive (Rx) signals for simultaneous transmission and reception. The modules include a fully matched power amplifier module (PAM), transmit (Tx) filtering and a duplexer. The TQM676001 includes a PA module, WCDMA filters and power detection / bias control features.
-- WCDMA / EDGE (WEDGE) receive modules (p/n 890057 and 890060), combine essential multi-mode switching, low pass transmission signal (Tx) harmonic filtering and receive (Rx) SAW filtering for all GSM bands. The modules provide improved WCDMA linearity that is essential to meet the 3GPP specification for out-of-band blocking requirements. TriQuint's modules (tri-band and quad-band, respectively) preserve signal integrity and provide very low insertion loss, which effectively increases battery life in the handset.
-- TQM7M5003: quad-band GSM EDGE polar power amplifier module (PAM) that provides the market's best GSM/GPRS and EDGE efficiency for wireless (cellular) handsets in a footprint compatible with all major transceiver makers' designs. It offers greater efficiency, which translates into longer battery life for next-generation EDGE phones.
-- TQM6M5001, an EDGE quad-band transmit module is the smallest on the market and provides a highly integrated solution for system architectures offering data rates superior to older GPRS systems. The amplifier is optimized for highly efficient signal amplification, which can extend battery life. With a form factor the same size and layout the same as previous standards, manufacturers can move from existing designs to higher EDGE data rates without significant phone board layout changes, speeding time to market and reducing costs. This all-in-one RF transmit module contains full GMSK (Gaussian minimum shift keying) and EDGE linear functionality, combining a quad-band EDGE PA, a linear transmit / receive switch, plus PA and switch control along with ESD protection.
TriQuint's new system design for the RF front-end of WCDMA / EDGE wireless handsets maximizes signal fidelity and system efficiency while keeping module sizes small. These advancements assist manufacturers making the move from incumbent, slower GPRS systems to the benefits of EDGE and WCDMA 3G networks. By matching every element along the transmit and receive chains with the transceiver, and including all matching components within the module whenever possible, TriQuint offers manufacturers all the benefits needed to extend battery life, shrink handset form factors, increase mobile device functions and satisfy consumers' demands for high-bandwidth services such as streaming video and high speed Internet access.
See TriQuint's new WCDMA and EDGE system solutions at the GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, (13th-16th February). TriQuint will debut new products supporting its system architectures in Hall 2, Space H75. The World Congress is the largest convention and exhibition dedicated to GSM wireless communications, now with more than 2 billion global subscribers.
For more information about these products and supporting technical documentation and application notes, visit www.triquint.com, or contact a local sales representative.
ABOUT TRIQUINT
TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (Nasdaq:TQNT) is a leading supplier of high performance components for communications applications. The company strives for diversity in its markets, applications, products, technology, and customer base. Markets include wireless phones, base stations, broadband and military with a specific focus on RF, analog and mixed signal applications. TriQuint provides customers with standard and custom product solutions as well as foundry services. Products are based on advanced process technologies including gallium arsenide, surface acoustic wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW). TriQuint customers include major communications companies worldwide. TriQuint has manufacturing facilities in Oregon, Texas and Florida, a production plant in Costa Rica, and design centers in New England and Germany. All manufacturing and production facilities are certified to the ISO9001 international quality standard.
TriQuint is headquartered at 2300 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124 and can be reached at 503-615-9000 (fax 503-615-8900). Visit TriQuint at www.triquint.com.
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CONTACT:
TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.
Bruce Fournier,
503-615-9000
Office: 503-615-9410
or
Mark Andrews,
407-884-3404
GSM Mobile: 407-353-8727