Skyworks expands small cell PA family
Skyworks Solutions has expanded its portfolio of small cell solutions with the addition of new, high efficiency power amplifiers targeting License Assisted Access (LAA) and LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) spectrum for LTE-Advanced base stations.
With leading wireless carriers and telecommunications manufacturers transitioning from 4G to 5G networks and deploying new equipment, there is an increasing demand for efficient, highly integrated system architectures to support emerging requirements.
Skyworks' innovative devices offer four times higher efficiency than competing products available in the market today and enable small cells to easily meet Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) standards.
When combined with the pin-to-pin compatible SKY6629x small cell product family, Skyworks is able to support all 3GPP bands. Analog Devices, Inc. is usingthis power amplifier family for its AD9375 small cell radio reference design with integrated digital pre-distortion, offering customers a single platform with the highest efficiency and linearity available in the industry.
 "Skyworks is focused on developing the most advanced solutions for 5G base stations," said John O'Neill, vice president of marketing for Skyworks. "As our highly innovative small cell amplifiers demonstrate, we are addressing challenging infrastructure performance requirements for next generation networks. At a higher level, Skyworks is driving connectivity across diverse applications within the wireless ecosystem, ultimately enhancing the consumer experience."
According to an estimate from Small Cell Forum, small cell shipments are expected to more than double from a base of 3.8 million units in 2016 to 7.8 million units by 2020, creating a $6 billion market segment.
The SKY66288-11 is a compact 5 x 5 mm high-efficiency, four watt peak power amplifier with high gain designed for the unlicensed spectrum of LTE-advanced small cell base stations. The amplifier delivers more than four times higher efficiency when compared to other products available in the market today.
Skyworks will be showcasing its broad markets solutions at the IMS2017 Symposium being held at the Hawaii Convention Center from June 5-9, 2017.
