pSemi Corp., formerly Peregrine Semiconductor and a Murata company, introduced what the company says is the world’s first monolithic silicon-on-insulator (SOI), 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi front-end module (FEM) — the PE561221. Developed for Wi-Fi home gateways, routers and set-top boxes, this high performance module uses a smart bias circuit to deliver a high linearity signal and excellent long-packet error vector magnitude (EVM) performance.

The PE561221 combines the “intelligent integration” capabilities of pSemi’s SOI technology and Murata’s expertise in Wi-Fi connectivity solutions and advanced packaging. This 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi FEM integrates a low noise amplifier, power amplifier and two RF switches (SP4T and SP3T). The monolithic die is packaged in a compact, 16-pin, 2 mm x 2 mm LGA package, sized for stand-alone use or in 4 x 4 MIMO and 8 x 8 MIMO modules.

The 2.4 GHz FEM is fabricated with pSemi’s UltraCMOS^® technology platform — a patented, advanced form of SOI. With its outstanding RF and microwave properties, SOI is an ideal substrate for integration. When paired with high volume CMOS manufacturing — the most widely used semiconductor technology — the result is a reliable, repeatable technology platform that offers superior performance compared to other mixed-signal processes. UltraCMOS technology enables “intelligent integration,” the unique design ability to integrate RF, digital and analog components on a single die.

Performance

The PE561221 leverages the intelligent integration capabilities of UltraCMOS technology to deliver exceptional performance, low power consumption and high reliability, with a 2 kV HBM ESD rating.

Through advanced analog and digital design techniques, the Wi-Fi FEM delivers excellent long-packet EVM performance with less than 0.1 dB gain droop while operating across the entire −40°C to 85°C temperature range. At −40 dB EVM (MCS9), the output power is +19 dBm with less than 0.05 dBm droop in output power after a 4 ms packet. The IC delivers best-in-class dynamic error vector magnitude (DEVM) and current consumption without requiring digital pre-distortion (DPD), and it has excellent MCS11 performance for 802.11ax applications.

Availability

Samples and volume production quantities of the PE561221 are available.

The PE561221 is the first product in the pSemi Wi-Fi FEM portfolio; the product roadmap includes 5 GHz Wi-Fi FEMs.

“The new IEEE 802.11ax standard is utilizing high-order modulation schemes (1024-QAM) with demanding EVM requirements. Traditional process technologies struggle to keep up with both performance and integration requirements, and only SOI can offer the ideal combination of integration and high performance. This new monolithic Wi-Fi module is a great example of the types of technology and product advancements pSemi and Murata can accomplish together.” — Colin Hunt, vice president of worldwide sales at pSemi