M/A-COM Introduces New Integration Technology for Base Stations.

Business/Technology Editors

LOWELL, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2000

M/A-COM, Inc., a leading global provider of wireless radio frequency (RF), microwave and millimeter wave components, today announced a new highly integrated RF switch matrix utilizing industry leading packaging technology. The SW-461 is a non-blocking switch matrix that allows users to switch 800 to 900MHz transmit or receive signals between 4 RF inputs to 6 RF outputs, while providing balanced channel-to-channel insertion loss.

The SW-461 is a breakthrough in high-density RF multi-chip packaging, incorporating 16 separate die into a 45-millimeter multilayer plastic ball grid array. The SW-461 integrates mixed signal, digital, analog and radio frequency signals to achieve a performance level that required 28 separate components and 152 square millimeters of board space in previous generation products. The 45 millimeter package of the SW-461 provides 10X savings in board space and associated cost over the previous generation of products. In addition to providing space savings, this product eliminates complex traces required to route signal paths through multiple components. The SW-461 achieves this by routing and performing all switching internally.

"The SW-461 is another example of how M/A-COM is innovating highly integrated, leading edge technology for today's wireless marketplace," said Larry Ward, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "It is the first standard 4 x 6 switch product of its kind and represents a new integration technology for all the RF signal processing functions in a base station."

The switch comes in a small (45 mm x 45 mm) package, draws very low current (less than 12 mA), and provides very high on/off isolation (greater than 45 dB). Controlling the switch requires a 2-bit CMOS-level control word for each output. This control word selects any of the four inputs. Each control word requires 0 and + 5 volt control inputs. The switch is ideal for TDMA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA and other base-station transceiver applications leveraging common platform approaches.

"Customers can use the SW-461 to reduce part count and board footprint significantly as compared to using conventional discrete RF switches and support circuitry in a matrix," said Paul Schwab, Senior Principal Engineer. "Our team developed this product to meet the integration needs of the ever-expanding wireless marketplace. Using highly integrated solutions like this base station designer can significantly reduce the board complexity for a large array of RF signal processing functions."

Availability

The new SW-461 matrix switches and SW-461 sample boards are available for immediate delivery through M/A-COM's worldwide direct field sales force.

M/A-COM Company Background

M/A-COM, Inc., headquartered in Lowell MA, is a leading supplier of radio frequency (RF), microwave and millimeter wave integrated circuits and IP Networks to the wireless telecommunications and defense-related industries. M/A-COM's products include semiconductor devices, RF integrated circuits, passive and control devices, antennas, subsystems and systems. Employing more than 3,300 people, M/A-COM has offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide.