Skyworks Solutions Inc., an innovator of high performance analog and mixed signal semiconductors enabling mobile connectivity, introduced a highly integrated RF subsystem for GSM, GPRS and EDGE femtocell base stations and cellular repeaters. The RF subsystem supports femtocell base station and cellular repeaters in GSM850, EGSM900, DCS1800 and PCS1900 frequency bands.

As mobile usage significantly increases, operators are exploring new ways to expand capacity and coverage, while fundamentally wrestling with expensive site acquisition and call-quality problems. In addition, one of the key challenges for OEMs is to make these femtocell base stations affordable for the consumer market.

“Skyworks’ new and innovative RF subsystem solves a variety of real-world issues that manufacturers face daily,” said Stan Swearingen, Skyworks’ vice president and general manager of Linear Products. “Ultimately, we’re enabling them to reap considerable benefits by reducing space, expense, and time-to-market.”

Skyworks’ new dual-chip RF subsystem solution also provides excellent linearity, blocker performance, dynamic range, and output power required by cellular operators, carriers and equipment manufacturers deploying femtocell base stations and cellular repeaters globally.

Femtocells, or small cellular home base stations designed for residential and small business environments, provide enhanced indoor cellular coverage and increase overall network capacity, while at the same time lowering backhaul costs and capital expenditure. The cellular repeaters extend services in poor coverage areas by amplifying both transmit and receive signals. In addition, the repeaters reduce problems with signal fades and dropped calls while improving voice quality, service range and access.

According to In-Stat, worldwide femtocell subscriptions (installed devices) are expected to grow to 40 million by 2011 and represent a market opportunity of over $4 B.