NXP Semiconductors showcased a series of innovative new solutions that covered a range of applications from wireless/cellular networks and digital broadcasting infrastructure to RF energy applications. NXP displayed a number of products and applications at their booth at the IMS 2014.
TFF1044 Integrated Mixer Oscillator
The TFF1044 is an integrated mixer oscillator for QUAD LNB applications. This mixer is based on NXP’s unique SiGe process, with the bias function as well as the full matrix for selecting one of the four incoming channels to any of the outputs combined in one device. Highly reliable and easy to implement, the TFF1044 offers satellite systems designers the ability to create a QUAD solution at half the board space of a typical discrete implementation.
Wireless/cellular Infrastructure - Gen9 LDMOS RF power transistors
NXP announced the launch of its ninth generation (Gen9) LDMOS RF power transistors for high-performance LTE base stations. These devices represent a further step-up in performance for LDMOS transistors, having shown up to 5% more efficiency in Doherty applications. The first Gen9 transistors are designed for Doherty applications – symmetric and asymmetric – and offer benchmark power densities in existing high-volume packages. The Gen9 technology is also optimized for operation at 3.4-3.8 GHz in anticipation of these frequency bands being released on a global scale next year for use by mobile telecoms providers.
Wireless/cellular Infrastructure – Plastic Portfolio
NXP displayed its portfolio of plastic transistors for wireless/cellular base stations. By replacing the traditional ceramic package with plastic, these transistors can reduce power amplifier costs by up to 30%. As such, NXP’s plastic portfolio has proved to be a particularly effective fit for cost-sensitive applications while delivering a good price/performance ratio. Plastic transistors are available from low to medium powers, and both single and dual stage, while the MMICs in this portfolio are optimized for Doherty performance in small cells.
Wireless/cellular Infrastructure – Small Cell Portfolio
NXP also had on display the newest members of its family of LDMOS transistors, MMICs and iDPAs (integrated Doherty power amplifiers) specifically designed and optimized for small cell LTE base stations, including picocells and microcells. The RF power transistors in this portfolio span frequency ranges from 700 MHz to 2.7 GHz and include the world’s first asymmetric MMICs, as well as low-cost, low-power plastic devices. In particular, for best performance in the receive chain, the BGU805x wideband LNA series offers very low noise figures, and has been in mass production since the end of 2013.
RF Energy
Building on its pioneering research and development in this area, NXP demonstrated a wide range of applications at IMS 2014 that harness the power of RF as a clean, highly efficient and controllable energy source. Using NXP’s industry-first portfolio of RF power transistors designed specifically for the 2.45 GHz ISM frequency band, demos include: an RF spark plug for automotive engines; an RF plasma lamp delivering bright, sun-like light; and a solid-state cooker that can heat food safely and with incredible accuracy.
Learn more about RF Products from NXP at www.nxp.com/products/rf/
