SiTune has announced two multi-standard, ultra-wideband, quad-channel transceivers for 5G open RAN infrastructure, including radio units (RU) and distributed radio units (dRU).

SiTune says the two transceivers, named IceWings and SnowWings, are the first multi-standard, ultra-wideband transceivers to support disaggregating the hardware and software in 5G networks, differentiated by lower power consumption and lower cost than competing transceivers.

IceWings has an analog RF architecture, SnowWings a digital architecture, both covering the full sub-6 GHz bands. SnowWings can also be configured as the IF chain for the 5G mmWave bands. The transceivers use a patented high speed and ultra-wideband RF/mixed-mode technology, which SiTune has used in multiple generations of its products.

IceWings and SnowWings Differentiation

• Lower power consumption — Through innovative architecture, sophisticated analog circuit design, high digital integration, novel backend signal processing and calibration, the transceivers consume less power and help enable reduced power consumption of the RU or dRU.
• Multi-standard interface — The transceivers support a wide range of wireless standards with a flexible scalable interface.
• Performance — The transceivers comply with the 5G NR specifications and achieve “superior performance” in signal quality, noise, linearity and power consumption.
• Scalable — SiTune’s family of products support 5G applications including massive MIMO, small cells, private and enterprise networks and IoT systems.
• Sub-6 GHz and mmWave — The transceivers provide network flexibility, with a single IC for the sub-6 GHz bands, including the Citizens Broadband Radio Service LTE band, as well as providing a mmWave IF transceiver solution.

SiTune is working with several first-tier 5G network equipment suppliers to develop state-of-the-art products for this new sector, according to Marzieh Veyseh, CTO of SiTune.

“Our close engagement with Tier-1 network equipment vendors and mobile operators will enable a solution optimized for hardware flexibility, performance and cost,” said Veyseh.

Adil Kidwai, vice president of product management at EdgeQ, said, “The 5G disruption will drive a tectonic shift to reconstitute the entire RAN ecosystem. The unique challenge is to address the tsunami of new end-clients that will require more spectral channels, more bandwidth processing, but at a much lower power profile. This provides enormous innovation opportunity in the field of radio frequency circuits. SiTune’s scalable RFIC solution is an example of the invention needed for the next generation of enterprise and telco base stations.”

Ben Sheen, research director for networking and communications infrastructure enabling technologies at market research firm IDC, said, “Cellular base stations are undergoing a generational transformation for the 5G new radio spectrums, and the technology ecosystem is driving new demands such as programmability, open interface standards and lower power consumption. Dense deployment of mmWave in harmony with long-range sub-6 GHz base stations will complete the hardware prerequisites for the true 5G performance premises. Innovations in new transceiver solution for 5G infrastructure radio unit can help address those markets and industry demands."