Date: 27/10/2010

RF Micro Devices introduces product families of integrated configurable components

RF Micro Devices has released the RFFC207x and RFFC507x product families of integrated configurable components that can perform multiple common RF functions in a small footprint. These components are aid the development to develop radio systems that operate over a wide dynamic range and across a broad range of frequencies and channel bandwidths.

The RFFC207x and RFFC507x product families integrate RFMD's fractional-N PLL/VCO combination with RF mixers. These product families represent the second generation of RFMD's RF205x family of integrated configurable components. The RFFC207x and RFFC507x is suggested for fixed and mobile infrastructure, radio repeaters, super-heterodyne radios, diversity receivers, frequency band shifters, CATV, software-defined radios, point-to-point radios, satcom, VHF/UHF radios, military, industrial and other applications. The product family's wide bandwidth enables use in multiple systems and applications. The RFFC207x series has a local oscillator (LO) range from 85MHz to 2700MHz, with a 30MHz to 2700MHz mixer on-chip. The RFFC507x series has an LO range of 85MHz to 4500MHz with mixer range extending up to 6000MHz. The RFFC207x and RFFC507x offer integrated phase noise of 0.18deg rms at 1GHz. The integrated fractional-N synthesizer features an advanced sigma-delta modulator to achieve ultra-fine step sizes and low spurious products. The components also feature a LO path on-chip thus eliminating the need for designers to work with the highly sensitive interface from VCO to mixer.

The RFFC207x and RFFC507x series opperate using only 125mA from a 3-volt supply and the current can be reduced to 100mA by reducing the programmable mixer linearity setting. The 4500MHz components use only 10mA more than the 2700MHz components.

All of the components can be programmed through a simple 3-wire serial interface. They also feature a programming mode that allows up to four devices to be controlled from a common serial bus. The RFFC207x and RFFC507x eliminates the need for separate chip-select control lines between devices and host controller. Finally, two frequencies can be loaded into the device when it is initialized, allowing convenient switching between frequencies, and lock detect and general purpose pins are available, enabling control though the serial bus.

RFMD is showcasing its products at the Electronica Tradeshow, in Munich, Germany, November 9-12 at booth #A4.135.

Price:
2700MHz RFFC2072: Starts at US$7.00 for 10K pieces.
5000MHz RFFC5072: Starts at US$9.00 for 10K pieces.

Availability: Sampling now. Production quantities are expected to be available by the end of the December 2010 quarter.