News Article
Quad-band modules enhance performance
The RF3235 and 3237 are GSM/GPRS transmit modules employ RFMD's gallium arsenide HBT and silicon CMOS technology
The company says that when paired with one or more discrete 3G power amplifiers such as RF722x or RF724x, the devices enable best-in-class performance at the lowest total solution cost for 3G entry platforms.
Both modules incorporate four (RF3237) to six (RF3235) high linearity UMTS transmit/receive ports. These also serve as GSM Rx ports and are pin-to-pin compatible.
Both devices are built on RFMD's PowerStar integrated power control technology, SOI (silicon-on-insulator) switch technology, and integrated transmit filtering.
These devices are designed for use as the final portion of the transmitter section in a GSM850/EGSM900/DCS1800/PCS1900/UMTS handset and eliminate the need for a PA-to-antenna switch module-matching network. The 50 Ω matched input and output ports require no external matching components and no external DC blocking on TRx ports.
The modules have a high efficiency at rated output power (POUT) and operate at a 3.5 V (VBATT).
For GSM850/EGSM900 applications, efficiency is 43%, while for DCS1800/PCS1900, it is 36%.
Isolation for most port combinations is greater than 35 dB and the TRx insertion loss for low band is 0.6 db and 0.8 db for high band applications. This boosts 3G efficiency and Rx sensitivity.
The devices are suited for single through quad-band UMTS handsets and connected devices including TDSCDMA and CDMA. The GPRS class 12 compliant modules can also be incorporated in GSM850/EGSM900/DCS1800/PCS1900 products and in 3V multimode mobile applications.
The RF3235 and RF3237 are currently available in production quantities.
Pricing for RF3235 begins at $2.70 each for 100 pieces. Pricing for RF3237 begins at $2.47 each for 100 pieces.