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Low-Cost RF Subsystem Supports Femtocells

July 31, 2008

Skyworks Solutions has developed a highly integrated RF subsystem for use in GSM, GPRS and EDGE femtocell base stations and cellular repeaters. It works with the GSM850, EGSM900, DCS1800 and PCS1900 frequency band and provides a cost-effective means for system operators to expand capacity and coverage area in these systems. According to Stan Swearingen, Skyworks' vice-president and general manager of Linear Products, "Skyworks' new and innovative RF subsystem solves a variety of real-world issues that manufacturers face daily. Ultimately, we're enabling them to reap considerable benefits by reducing space, expense, and time-to-market."

The dual-chip RF subsystem solution consists of the SKY74219-21 transceiver, with four LNAs, a quadrature demodulator, I/Q interface, and baseband filters, and a SKY65330 transmit/receive front-end module (FEM) with two power-amplifier (PA) blocks for the GSM/EGSM and DSC/PCS bands.

About the Author

Jack Browne | Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.