Xilinx has announced a disruptive integration and architectural breakthrough for 5G wireless with the infusion of RF-class analog technology into its 16 nm all Programmable MPSoCs. Xilinx's new All Programmable RFSoCs eliminate discrete data converters, providing 50-75% power and footprint reduction for 5G massive-MIMO and millimeter wave wireless backhaul applications.
Large scale 2D antenna array systems will be key to the increase in spectral efficiency and network densification needed for 5G. Manufacturers must find new ways to meet stringent requirements for commercial deployment. With the integration of high performance ADCs and DACs in an All Programmable SoC, radio and wireless backhaul units can now meet previously unattainable power and form factor requirements, while increasing channel density. Additionally, RFSoC devices allow manufacturers to streamline design and development cycles to meet 5G deployment timelines.
The integrated 16 nm-based RF data conversion technology includes:
- Direct RF sampling for simplified analog design, greater accuracy, smaller form factor, and lower power
- 12-bit ADCs at up to 4GSPS, high channel count, with digital down-conversion
- 14-bit DACs at up to 6.4GSPS, high channel count, with digital up conversion
The RFSoC solution from Xilinx is a game changer in the RRU/massive MIMO active antenna array market. It also allows Xilinx to become the preferred digital solution provider to this market for current and next generation 4G, 4.5G and 5G wireless networks. This will effectively enable their 5G customers to commercially deploy highly differentiated, large-scale, massive-MIMO and millimeter-wave backhaul systems. The new RFSoC architecture has been made available at the perfect time, addressing this urgent problem in 5G development. Click here to learn more about the All Programmable RFSoC architecture.
