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Freescale Semiconductor has readied an RF subsystem that combines a transceiver (MMM6000) and front-end power amplifier module (MMM6027) to create a complete radio solution for GSM, GPRS and EDGE terminals. Offering antenna-to-bits functionality in a less than 250 mm² board space, it delivers a manufactured radio with low current and small size.

The transceiver is DigRF compliant, and provides direct conversion receive architecture that integrates the low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), as well as the receive and transmit voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs). The transmit section is based on a polar modulation architecture with direct modulation of the VCO by a fractional-N synthesizer, and allows for a filter-free transmit lineup. An on-chip transmit/receive sequencer generates appropriate timing events for the transmitter calibration and the EDGE/GMSK transmit/receive burst; therefore, limiting the RF hardware dependency of the L1 engine software to an absolute minimum. The MMM6000 provides all of this functionality in a compact 9×11mm package.

The MMM6027 front-end power amplifier module integrates the rest of the radio subsystem. It provides power amplification, power coupling, power detection, low-pass filtering, output power control, and antenna switching functions. The MMM6027 is specified to operate with both GMSK and 8PSK modulation schemes and is optimized to perform with the MMM6000 transceiver. Two modes of power control are supported with the MMM6027: bias control for GMSK modulation and input power control for 8PSK modulation. All of this functionality is provided in a small 8×8mm package.

Both devices are part of Freescale's i.275 Innovative Convergence platform solution, but due to the industry standard DigRF interface, this solution can interface with other digital basebands in the marketplace. In essence, the key benefits of this solution include:

• Complete antenna-to-bits functionality — no separate analog baseband required.

• Highest level of integration providing extremely compact 250 mm2 board area.

• Polar-lite architecture provides complete closed loop control for manufacturability ease and extremely low current consumption.

• Complies with industry standard DigRF interface for ease of design.

• Embedded microcontroller to provide less dependency on Layer 1 software and simplifying software programming.

For more information, visit www.freescale.com/wireless.