iCana Launches 5G-NR FR1 RF Front-End Reference Designs for Indoor Small Cells

iCana has launched 5G-NR FR1 RF Front-End Reference Designs for indoor small cells. The RF Front-End interfaces directly with the AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC DFE ZCU670 Evaluation Kit and demonstrates iCana’s line-up for high-performing, power-efficient, and BOM-conscious RF Front-Ends. The layout is pin-to-pin compatible in covering all major 5G Bands and is available for evaluation for n41, n77, n78, CBRS, and n79 bands.

iCana’s RFFE Reference Design includes:

• ARQSP3336-4: 3.3 - 3.6 GHz 4W High-Efficiency Power Amplifier providing 28 dBm average output power with excellent compatibility for digital pre-distortion (DPD) linearization, high efficiency, and strong ruggedness handling up to 10:1 VSWR output mismatch.
• ARQSF2442-RX-A: 2.4–4.2 GHz Dual-Channel Receiver Front-End Module combining a high-power handling Switch and a Low Noise Amplifier with bypass function in a dual channel configuration. The FEM delivers a low noise figure of < 1.5 dB, 37/16 dB Gain, and high channel isolation while minimizing the footprint to a 6 x 6 mm² package.
• ICASD3338-D2S: 3.3–3.8 GHz Differential to Single-Ended Gain Amplifier and ICASD3338-S2D 3.3–3.8 GHz Single-Ended to Differential Gain Amplifier. The gain amplifiers combine a balun and a low noise gain stage in a small 2 x 2 mm² footprint to provide a high and flat gain of > 17 dB, high linearity > 30 dBm, and low noise figure.
• ICASS1050-4T: 1–5 GHz SP4T RF Switch to control the DPD feedback path between the transmission chains. The Switch excels in fast switching time < 450 ns, high isolation > 65 dB and is specially designed to reduce the phase and amplitude variation during hot switching on the signal paths.

“We are delighted to work with iCana on these optimized RF Front-End small cell solutions,” said Anthony Collins, Director 5G Radio and RF Ecosystem, AMD. “These proven solutions will accelerate our mutual customers’ time to market”

iCana was showcasing these solutions at MWC 2023 in Barcelona this week. Click here to see everything RF's coverage of MWC Barcelona 2023.