Single-chip EDGE transceiver has digital interface

The Aero IIed transceiver is designed in a standard 0.13-micron CMOS process and available in a tiny 6 x 7 mm package. A complete quad-band Aero IIed GSM/GPRS/EDGE radio can be implemented with only 18 components in less than 190 mm2 of PCB area.

Silicon Laboratories’ Aero IIed transceiver integrates the RF transceiver and analog baseband (ABB) circuitry in a small monolithic mixed-signal IC pre-validated with leading DigRF basebands to ensure full compatibility and to simplify customer design-in. The ABB functionality integrated into the Aero IIed transceiver consists of transmit modulators, transmit and ramp DACs, front end module control, and a precise radio event controller. The Aero IIed transceiver also includes a proven digitally-controlled crystal oscillator (DCXO) and an integrated low drop out voltage regulator for direct battery connection, both of which significantly decrease bill of materials costs.

This high level of integration results in a 40 percent or greater PCB area reduction when compared with alternative digital interface transceiver solutions. This not only reduces cost for the EDGE terminal manufacturer, but frees up board space to enable smaller form-factor and more feature-rich handset designs.

Along with its unique architecture, the Aero IIed transceiver also ensures the great performance customers have grown to expect from the Aero transceiver family. The Aero IIed uses digital low-IF receiver technology to provide the industry’s best receive sensitivity, which results in fewer dropped calls for consumers. In contrast with polar architecture solutions, Silicon Laboratories’ proven dual-transmit linear architecture enables superior GSM/GPRS/EDGE performance and manufacturability along with the ability for customers to enjoy the flexibility and cost savings from multi-sourcing of all radio components. Silicon Laboratories’ EDGE solutions are also designed to eliminate complex baseband calibrations required by competing transceiver solutions and to minimize system software changes.

“Cellular operators are beginning to aggressively roll out EDGE service for subscribers,” said Dan Rabinovitsj, vice president of Silicon Laboratories. “The Aero IIed transceiver is built upon Silicon Laboratories’ proven Aero family technology. The Aero IIed continues in the Silicon Laboratories tradition of helping manufacturers improve handset performance while reducing costs and improving manufacturability.”