Murata has introduced two new RF sub-modules for Wi-Fi Applications that incorporate the structural components required by the front end circuit. It incorporates required structural elements such as PA, LNA, RF switch, filter, duplexer and coupler.
The modules - LMFE3NFB-J58 & LMFE3NFB-J38 have been developed for Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac applications in smartphones and tablet PCs. They use the Murata semiconductor design technology to reduce the size of the front end circuit in order to incorporate the Wi-Fi function. This enables reduction of the component surface mount area and decreases the number of component contact points in comparison to circuits with the former discrete structure.
Wi-Fi is a standard function of smartphones these days. As this technology is being adpoted widely, we are seeing the use of 5 GHz band more and more, rather than just the former ISM 2.4 GHz band. In addition, transmission speeds have improved with recent communications methods by use of spatial multiplexing, and investigation of a 2 x 2 - MIMO structure with high-end smartphones has begun. Accompanying these trends there is a concern about an increase in front end circuit complexity, additional contact points, and greater surface mount area, in comparison to former structures.
In light of this, Murata has implemented its original monolithic ceramic technology and semiconductor design technology to cater to these new technology requirements in a form factor that is compact and that does not require additional pins, thereby saving customers valuable board area within their design. It is also compatible with the Qualcomm Atheros made WCN3990 chip set.
