WiSpry integrates three tunable RF-MEMS capacitors in single chip

IRVINE, USA: WiSpry, Inc., the leader in high-performance tunable radio frequency (RF) semiconductor products for the wireless industry, today announced the WS1050 tunable RF capacitor, combining three individually controllable and configurable capacitors into a single chip.

The new chip reduces cost, board space and design time while improving linear performance and design flexibility. The WS1050 delivers performance equaling a fixed passive component network, the industry's highest Q, the widest impedance coverage and lowest loss, as well as the highest capacitance tuning range available. The linear performance of the chip offers full power LTE third harmonics as low as -150dBc which is typically 30 dB better than other solutions. Support for up to eight USIDs allows for multiple tuners per system. The WS1050 is optimally suited for antenna tuning, particularly for carrier aggregation solutions. For more technical information, visit http://www.wispry.com/products-capacitors.php#ws1050

For mobile device designers, the WS1050 allows an electrically very small and physically thin smartphone antenna to tune over a wide frequency range, eliminating the need for a separate low-band LTE (Long Term Evolution) antenna. The single chip is a totally integrated solution, saving up to half the board space when compared to competing solutions. Design time is reduced allowing one antenna to meet regional requirements through software reconfiguration, dramatically speeding time to market. The flexible RF capacitor also future-proofs design by enabling extended frequency range operation, including the proposed 600MHz band.

As wireless networks evolve and cell deployment expands, infrastructure design engineers face challenging antenna and signal conditions. With ample linear performance and capacitance tuning range, the WS1050 enables infrastructure designers to address the most complex signal mismatch environments. Basestation OEMs can easily tune both antennas and amplifiers, thereby enabling signal chain improvements of up to 3dB through software control instead of manual tuning. Picocells and femtocells realize improved effectiveness in electrically complex environments.

For the RF network designer, the WiSpry WS1050 offers tremendous flexibility that goes beyond antenna tuning. By providing three independently addressable, tunable, highly accurate capacitors, the product is also ideal for measurement/test instruments, phase shifters, tunable filters and amplifiers.

"The industry need for tunability is becoming more clear, now that the initial handsets have cycled through the market," said Joe Madden, principal analyst with Mobile Experts. "In particular, handset OEMs need more flexibility with tuning solutions to meet the needs of multiple different LTE bands. Solutions like the WiSpry product, with multiple independent tuning elements, will give OEMs the ability to use common components in multiple handset models."

"Our customers are faced with a challenging dilemma - supporting increasingly diverse, complex global networks more effectively and in less time," said Jeff Hilbert, president and founder of WiSpry, Inc. "The WS1050 delivers the flexibility and performance of three independent RF capacitors in an easy-to-use, ultra-compact single chip solution. WiSpry's Tunable RF leadership is evident in this product, and is the first of many new Tunable RF products scheduled for release in the coming months."

WS1050 Technical Features and Benefits

• 18pf of total capacitance, each capacitor individually tunable

• Configurable in a series or shunt mode with individual pin-out for each capacitor

• MEMS-based technology delivers ultra-low harmonics and intermodulation

• 8 hardware configurable USIDs allows for up to 8 individual tuners per bus in a mobile device

• External mode control pin enables quicker power-down and less power consumption

• Integrated, high-accuracy digital auto-calibration

• ADS simulation models available for easier, more accurate designs

• Small, industry-standard LGA package for ease of board design