Atmel Announces 3.5 GHz WiMAX Transceiver With Multiple Bandwidth Options
San Jose, CA -- Atmel Corporation announced the second of its MAX-Link series of transceivers designed specifically for WiMAX applications. Along with enhanced WiMAX system functionality, the AT86RF535B enables low component costs of RF reference designs. This frequency-agile, single-chip transceiver operates at 3.5 GHz with multiple bandwidth options addressing the requirements of WiMAX base stations and subscriber equipment. Internal configuration and control registers can be programmed to integrate with new and existing baseband devices from different vendors. All of the MAX-Link transceivers provide RF performance with low current consumption, low cost, and a minimum of external components for the RF design.
On-chip integration techniques combine a low-noise amplifier, power amplifier driver, receive/transmit mixer, receive/transmit filters, voltage-controlled oscillator, synthesizer, receive gain control, and transmit power control all completely digitally controlled. The fully differential design of the transceiver can be configured for either low-IF or zero-IF applications and requires no external filters. The RF reference design incorporates power efficiency circuitry and antenna diversity all in a footprint of 40 mm x 35 mm on a 4-layer PCB with components on one side only.
The AT86RF535B uses a proprietary internal calibration algorithm decreasing product cost and improving manufacturability. The calibration routine is performed between transmit and receive data frames, totally independent from the baseband and MAC processor, to optimize the image and local oscillator (LO) leakage performance characteristics.
The fractional-N synthesizer in the AT86RF535B utilizes a unique phase interpolation divider (PID) rather than the more conventional modulus divider architecture. The PID allows for frequency resolution and fast tuning speed. The calibrated VCO can be tuned in less than 10 us to support 100 MHz HFDD operations. The synthesizer has the speed and power advantages of an asynchronous divider and is fully programmable within the frequency range of the radio.
Atmel has been working with HULU, an OEM/ODM of WiMAX mass-market subscriber units. HULU has included Atmel's transceiver in its interoperability studies.
"HULU has chosen the Atmel transceiver due to several technical reasons," said Maurizio Hublitz, CTO, HULU AB. "The AT86RF535B has the lowest power consumption on the market. This is very important to us as we are developing nomadic OFDM equipment. The Atmel device is technologically sound. We have tested the complete radio in the smallest form-factor using several different base stations and we are very pleased with its performance and cost effectiveness."
Vice President and General Manager of Atmel's RF and automotive business unit, Bob McConnell, commented, "Atmel's proprietary SiGe BiCMOS process technology provides our designers with the capability to build a better WiMAX radio. You can see the results in the 535."
SOURCE: Atmel Corporation