STMicroelectronics Launches Integrated RF Synthesizers With Embedded VCOs

Geneva -- STMicroelectronics announced its new integrated RF synthesizers with embedded voltage-controlled oscillators. ST claims its synthesizers are the only single-chip devices with available output frequency above 3.0 GHz. The introduction of the STW81101 and STW81102 meet the increasing demand of equipment manufacturers for solutions in radio applications from cellular base stations to satellite communications and CATV equipment.

Targeted at a wide range of radio-transceiver applications from cellular network infrastructure to point-to-point radio, cable TV and satellite systems, ST's STW81101 and STW81102 exhibit integrated phase-noise performance for single-chip RF Integer'N synthesizers. The measured values are 0.2° RMS (Root Mean Square) at 1 GHz, 0.5° RMS at 2 GHz, and 1.3° RMS at 4 GHz with a frequency step of 200 kHz. Suppression of random frequency fluctuations in a signal provides more design margin and the low phase noise also satisfies the requirements of system manufacturers for minimized bit-error rates in voice and data transmission.

ST's new RF synthesizers provide multi-band capabilities and frequency coverage. The combination of embedded VCOs (voltage-controlled oscillators) with automatic center-frequency calibration and multiple output options allows the devices to operate in multiple bands, over a wide spectrum from 750 MHz up to 4.65 GHz. Instead of using a dedicated device for each frequency range, equipment suppliers can now fit any multi-band radio application, such as a quad-band base station transceiver, with a single ST synthesizer.

Versatility of the STW8110x product family is further enhanced by the dual digital interface, with the I²C protocol for connecting multiple devices, complemented with the fast, Serial to Parallel Interface (SPI) bus.

"ST raises the performance bar for integrated RF devices, addressing the industry's demand for more integrated and flexible solutions," said Guillaume Pertinant, RF Product Marketing Manager of ST's Wireless Infrastructure Division. "At the same time, we are first to the market with a single-chip synthesizer for the booming segment of emerging microwave applications."

Pin-to-pin compatible with its predecessor (STW81100), the STW81101 and STW81102 synthesizers are supplied in QFN-28 lead-free packages. The evaluation kits include an evaluation board, the STWPLLSim software for PLL filter design and noise simulation, the programming GUI (Graphical User Interface), and the guidelines for application board design.

The new STWPLLSim is enables fast and accurate PLL design and optimization of the STW8110x devices, starting from high-level parameters such as the loop bandwidth and the phase margin. The accuracy of the noise modeling ensures successful first–loop-filter design in a course of minutes.

Evaluation kits and production devices will be available in May 2006.

SOURCE: STMicroelectronics