The F6212 from Renesas is a 16-Channel Rx Active Beamforming IC that operates from 17.7 to 21.2 GHz. This dual-beam IC has 16 (8 per beam) phase/amplitude control channels, eight RF input ports, and two RF output ports. Each control channel has 6 bits of digital phase and gain control to provide phase shift from 0° to 360° and a dynamic range of 26 dB for precise beam pattern and polarization control. The eight input ports of the IC can be driven by eight single-polarized elements or four dual-polarized elements of an electronically scanned array (ESA). It features advanced digital modes and large on-chip memory for fast beam steering and reduces dead time and latency.
The F6212 requires a DC supply of 1.0/2.3 V and includes power management features such as a low-power standby mode, independent enable controls on every channel, and a single-beam mode activated via a dedicated control pin. It has an integrated Hi-Q bandpass filter that provides rejection of SATCOM Tx and 5G mmWave signals and improves the dynamic range without additional power consumption. This IC is available in a CTE-matched FCBGA surface-mount package that measures 7.6 x 7.6 x 0.9 mm and is suitable for use in phased array antennas, Ka-Band SATCOM terminals, and aerospace/maritime applications.
