Nujira Delivers World Record 40 MHz Bandwidth For 4G Envelope Tracking PA

Nujira Ltd, the world’s leader in Envelope Tracking (ET) technology, has successfully demonstrated in its latest lab tests that it is able to support 40 MHz channel bandwidths for 4G LTE-Advanced signals, using its NCT-L1300 ET modulator IC and a commercially available handset RF Power Amplifier. Enabled by Nujira’s world leading ET technology, it is the first time that an ET system has delivered 40 MHz bandwidth, while meeting stringent regulatory compliance standards.

The results used the Carrier Aggregation feature of the LTE-Advanced specification to transmit a 200 Resource Block LTE waveform – the highest bandwidth currently specified (CA Class C), corresponding to an instantaneous data rate of approximately 150 Mbps.

Performance was measured at 27 dBm at the PA output, corresponding to 23 dBm at the antenna, the maximum power permitted for LTE terminals.  Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) of 3% and Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio of -35 dBc were achieved using Nujira’s patented ISOGAIN ET Linearization technique, giving comfortable margin over regulatory requirements without relying on Digital PreDistortion or other modem assistance techniques.

Achieving the full bandwidth is important, as it is always preferable for the handset to transmit data at the highest data rate for as short a time as possible, to maximize network capacity and to save energy. Transmitting the same amount of data over a 20 MHz channel, rather than 40 MHz, would take twice as long and use almost twice as much power.  Field trial data from LTE networks has shown that high bandwidth transmissions from the handset can represent more than 50% of the energy consumed by the RF front end.

Tim Haynes, CEO of Nujira said: “Nujira’s patented High Accuracy Tracking architecture for ET has consistently delivered the highest bandwidths in the industry.  Our Coolteq-L chips were the first to deliver the 20 MHz bandwidths needed for today’s LTE smartphones, and this result shows that we can support the 40 MHz LTE-A Carrier Aggregation requirements of leading operators such as China Mobile, Softbank and Clearwire.”

“Competing ET solutions are either limited to a few MHz of signal bandwidth in ET mode, or deliver no useful efficiency advantage at higher bandwidths.  By supporting the highest possible channel bandwidths in ET mode, our Coolteq.L chips offer twice the energy saving of lower bandwidth ET solutions, increasing battery life, improving coverage, and boosting data rates.”

About Nujira
Nujira is enabling the design of cost-effective multi-mode, multi-band handsets that deliver faster data rates, longer battery life, and better coverage. A fabless semiconductor company, Nujira is realizing its mission to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of transmitters for 3G and 4G handsets, base stations and TV broadcast applications by reducing the amount of waste energy dissipated as heat in the RF Power Amplifier circuit.

Nujira’s patented Coolteq Modulator technology dynamically modulates the power supply to the circuit in line with the amplitude of the signal, enabling the creation of highly efficient RF Power Amplifiers. Today, Coolteq technology powers the industry’s most energy efficient and highest performing 4G base stations and TV broadcast transmitters.

Underpinned by the industry’s largest portfolio of Envelope Tracking technology patents, Nujira is applying the same energy efficient technology to smartphones and other portable wireless devices.

Nujira is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with design centers in Cambridge, UK and Edinburgh, Scotland.
For more information, visit www.nujira.com.