PRFI is a UK based design house that specializes in the design and development of RFICs, MMICs and microwave/mm-wave modules. The company primarily focuses on providing RF module design services to its customers for a wide range of RF applications and projects. . Projects range from feasibility studies to the design and development of microwave ICs, components and sub-systems. PRFI’s office and labs are located near Cambridge, in the UK.
PRFI Possesses Vast Experience in RF Module Design Prototypes
PRFI has a dedicated design team with extensive knowledge in developing RF modules and PCBs, ranging from connectorized evaluation boards based on single unmatched GaN transistors to high gain multi-stage Power Amplifier (PA) modules using multiple devices combined in parallel to increase RF output power. They have designed all aspects of RF modules including RF PCBs, mechanical housings, and control boards.
PRFI designs their modules for high RF performance, long-term reliability and low SWaP-C (size, weight, power and cost). Biasing circuitry is included for bias sequencing and generation of negative voltages for depletion mode devices where necessary.
Service Capabilities of PRFI
Module Test and Measurement: PRFI can test prototype RF modules and PCBs up to 50 GHz in its in-house lab. This includes high power testing up to 1 kW pulsed, measurement versus temperature, and linearity measurements.
PCB Fabrication and Assembly: PRFI works closely with selected PCB manufacturers and assembly houses to develop prototype modules which can be taken forward to volume production.
Design Examples Developed by PRFI for Various Industries
Ka-Band 20 W Power Amplifier Modules: 4-off GaN-on-SiC MMIC power amplifiers (also designed by PRFI) were incorporated on a PCB to produce a total output power of 20 W. A two-stage design produced 25 dB gain in a compact form factor.
CubeSat Propulsion: A two-stage RF module optimized for compactness and reliability was deployed in the client’s CubeSat application. Commercial GaAs and GaN devices were cascaded to provide a high power, high gain solution.
Discrete GaN Power Amplifiers: PRFI designed a range of discrete GaN transistor-based PCBs for Qorvo using both copper coin and solid copper via technology at L-, S-, and X-band. Power levels were up to 160 W with efficiencies of 70% Power-Added Efficiency (PAE).
200 W X-band Radar Power Amplifier: PRFI was commissioned to replace a magnetron-based PA with a solid-state PA. This involved undertaking parts of the radar system design as well as the complete development of a 200 W solid state PA.
Till date, PRFI has designed over 150 custom ICs at frequencies ranging from baseband to 100 GHz and are a third party design house for GCS, Wolfspeed, Qorvo and WIN. Their designs are used in a wide range of applications from test instrumentation to infrastructure equipment and very high volume consumer wireless devices. They also have in-house test facilities for both bare die (RFOW) and SMT packaged components. PRFI’s microwave and mm-wave module development activity encompasses a wide range of technologies including conventional SMT on laminate substrates, High Density Interconnect (HDI), chip and wire, thin film, thick film and LTCC.
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