JMD First Laminate-Based RF Integrated Passive Device

Atlanta -- JMD, a designer of standard and custom RF passive components for wireless communications products, has released the industry's first non-ceramic, laminate-based RF integrated passive device, the I3002. The I3002 embeds, in a single component, all of the RF passive functions required for a dual-band wireless LAN application.

JMD's new patent-pending technology provides the RF industry with a platform for embedding RF passives (filters, diplexer, baluns, etc.) into integrated passive devices (IPDs) and RF module substrates. This technology has lower RF losses and shorter time-to-market than the commonly used LTCC (low-temperature co-fired ceramic) technology and avoids the pitfalls of ceramic-based solutions. JMD's technology combines the reliability of laminates with size and price that are competitive in the mobile handset and wireless LAN markets.

"This component shows the power of our technology. The industry has long sought an organic laminate-based RF passive solution that provided high performance at a competitive price," said Dr. George White, CTO of JMD. "This is just the beginning -- we are already designing complex RF module substrates for our customer's mobile handset and WLAN applications."

Laminates are a proven, reliable technology, but FR4-based solutions have historically exhibited inferior performance that do not meet the requirements of WLAN and mobile handset RF filters and diplexers. High-end laminates have excellent performance but are expensive. JMD's technology provides the performance needed for mobile handset and WLAN applications at a competitive price.

The I3002 integrates two diplexers, two transmit filters, and two receive filters in a 3.3 x 7 x 0.65 mm device. The product is targeted at IEEE 802.11 b/g/a wireless LAN applications which operate in the 2.4 - 2.5 GHz and 4.9 - 5.9 GHz bands.

Source: JMD