» Products for wireless networking showed up well in this category. That's no surprise given that forecasters are saying that the ýmarket for converged mobile devices, which will surpass 20 million units in 2004, has demonstrated strong growth potential as consumers continue to show interest in improved devices combining data and telephony capabilities. This growth will be driven by evolutions in form factor, pricing and power consumption, made possible in part by advances in chip technology...." (IDC)

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ROYAL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS
Wireless LAN and Bluetooth work together seamlessly in mobile devices
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Philips' new 802.11b low-power Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Bluetooth semiconductor "system-in-a-package" (SiP) solutions are specifically designed to operate at the same time in small form-factor systems such as smart phones, PDAs and other portable devices. Philips has developed specialized hardware and software that is embedded in its WLAN and Bluetooth SiPs to meet this challenge. The new SiP technology allows essentially all of the components needed for a complete WLAN or Bluetooth subsystem to be contained in a single semiconductor package, and it results in significant space savings. The BGW200 WLAN SiP requires only three external components and requires less than half the space of competing solutions. The Bluetooth SiP integrates some 15 to 20 separate components that typically surround a Bluetooth IC. Both the WLAN and Bluetooth SiPs are the industry's smallest solutions enabling easy integration into today's advanced, miniature communication devices. "
Readers say: » "The price points are particularily attractive, especially with the dual functionality." » "Definitely a product to recommend and support at key distribution customer applications" » "Is single package Wireless LAN, Bluetooth and UWB on the way?" » "I worked at Nokia for 4.5 years. This device will significantly impact the mobile phone/pda/other device market. Very impressive."
USABILITY RANK: 1

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SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS
WLAN power amplifier eliminates transmit chain filtering with on-chip filtering
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Skyworks Solutions' high-performance power amplifier (PA) for 802.11 b/g WLAN systems, the PA Plus(TM) with on-chip harmonic filtering, eliminates the need for additional filtering in the transmit chain. The PA delivers superior output power at high data rates, improving WLAN throughput while extending battery life in handheld device applications such as PCMCIA cards, mini PCI cards, access points and other wireless data designs. Additionally, PA Plus(TM) offers outstanding linearity and efficiency with its streamlined applications circuit, reducing the component count by 30 percent when compared to alternative PA solutions, and cutting the size and cost of WLAN products while simplifying board layout. "
Readers say: » "This is very relevant for medium size scale deployments of WLAN, particulary those involving wide spread coverage of b/g's with channelizaion limitations." » "An integrated PA for the 802.11.x family is always a welcome device. Solves the common problems people face with having to boost ranges for small 2.4GHz devices." » "I'm sure this product would save many external components increasing PA efficiency and board real estate." » "Good spec, great price, if only it were bi-directional" » "The on-chip harmonic filtering can enable much more compact designs. The capability of withstanding higher bias might make it fit better into mains-powered base-stations."
USABILITY RANK: 3

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AGERE SYSTEMS
Improve wireless network throughput to 150 Mbps
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "This software from Agere is all about speed. It can boost your throughput to 150 Mbps with the Agere chipset. Customers want more information and they want it faster using the existing 802.11 wireless link. There are multiple techniques on the market to improve the transfer rate and Agere is trying to harvest as many as it can to get closer to the theoretical 54 Mbit maximum on the radio link. What makes this really appealing to existing Agere chip customers is that it is simply a software/firmware upgrade that can be done in the field. "
Readers say: » "Good innovation for now. Will be a standard in less than two years, so the impact on their business isn't certain. " » "Extremely attractive software for customers pursuing higher throughput." » "Hard to judge but this seems more of a marketing tool rather than a technology breakthrough" » "Sounds great...on paper. However, I would not bet my own money that they will meet the delivery AND comply with a ratified standard simultaneously, as claimed by Agere." » "Would be interesting to see if this can be adapted to other WLAN implementations"
USABILITY RANK: 2

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TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
TIA offers temperature and long-term stability for photodiode applications
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Texas Instruments' new transimpedance amplifier from the company's Burr-Brown product line features 90MHz gain bandwidth, less than 25uV offset and inherent temperature and long-term stability. The device is ideal for a broad range of high-speed photodiode applications, including optical power monitoring, security scanners, medical diagnostics and current measurement in test equipment. The compnay claims that the OPA380 features a unique combination of speed and precision, making it the leading-edge solution for transimpedance applications."
Readers say: » "The chip is essential in the next design of our security scanner." » "Very good on the precision specs, but 90MHz isn't terribly fast. I guess I've worked 10 and 40 GHz too long." » "It looks like an interesting device to use. I will as soon as I get the opportunity," » "Great new products for optical scanner/medical diagnostics equipment." » "I am amazed at the speed of newer components."
USABILITY RANK: 4

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SIGE SEMICONDUCTOR
CDMA power amplifiers deliver on integration, performance, price
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "SiGe Semiconductor acquired intellectual property and certain product-related assets from IBM's cellular power amplifier product line last year. The company focuses on the front end, the space between the input/output of the radio and antenna. SiGe's products work in a high-voltage swing or high impedance mismatch environment such as front-end power amplifiers for handsets and 802.11 applications. The company partners closely, in a non-threatening way, with the reference design houses that either offer radios, base bands or both. This SE510x power amp is SiGe Semi's newest flavor PA that serves the 900 MHz marketplace. Simply put, the new SE510x power amp offers a design to migrate the power amp function from a GaAs bipolar only environment (how they are presently manufactured) to a silicon germanium BiCMOS product. "
Readers say: » "A savings of $3.00 per handset could potentially save our company millions." » "Initial impressions suggest that SiGe has a winner with this product." » "40% efficiency is impressive. I agree with the copper slug and not using vias, but that will add more weight to the devices."
USABILITY RANK: 6

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LINEAR TECHNOLOGY INC.
Active Upconverting Mixer Integrates RF Transformer
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Two new high linearity upconverting RF active mixers with integrated RF transformers from Linear Technology deliver superior performance, linearity and low power consumption. The LT5519 and LT5520 active mixers provide the ideal combination of low distortion, low LO (Local Oscillator) drive requirement, high port-to-port isolation, low conversion loss, and ease of use. The LT5519 operates over the 0.7GHz to 1.4GHz range, while the LT5520 covers the 1.3GHz to 2.3GHz frequency bands without requiring external matching components. Moreover, their single-ended operation makes the design task easier. "
Readers say: » "Ok product but I need either a 1.8V or 3.3V power supply." » "High performance and low loss. That's what we look for in space related applications. That is, if the price is right" » "This device is yet again another driver towards smaller and lower cost frequency converters for the satellite industry."
USABILITY RANK: 5

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M/A COM
Digital multi-mode transmitter is based on revolutionary approaches to RF power amplification
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "MA/COM has developed a digital transmitter technology eliminating the need for major chunks of RF and analog functions, including components such as SAW filters, gain blocks, and power amplifiers, and reduced them to a digital solution. So what process technology does MA/COM use for this design? For the digital portion, its CMOS, but for the power section, the RF power (up to 34 or 35 dBm -- up to 3 Watts) uses gallium-arsenide HBT technology for the digital power amplifier.The company says it focused on getting a precise approach to controlling RF power, based on signal processing techniques. "
Readers say: » "This a very interesting idea. But will take time to catch on - MA/COM needs to provide some very compelling reasons for me to switch from a 'known beast' to this device." » "This approach seems unique but analog is still required for filtering, and power amplification." » "An implementation that has been a long time coming. Congratulations to M/A-Com."
USABILITY RANK: 7

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ANALOG DEVICES
An elegant response to broadband designer needs: it's an industry first two-channel vector multiplier
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Analog Devices has expanded its high-performance family of RF ICs with the industry's first two-channel vector multiplier for gain and phase control applications. The two-channel ADL5390 vector multiplier can replace as many as six discrete components previously required for gain and phase control in wireless infrastructure equipment. The ADL5390 is particularly suited for last-mile broadband connections like LMDS (local multipoint distribution service) WLL (wireless local loop) and cellular infrastructure equipment for GSM, W-CDMA and CDMA2000. The ADL5390 vector multiplier joins Analog Devices' AD8340 and AD8341 family of vector modulators by delivering an unmatched ability to operate over a 10-MHz to 2.7-GHz input frequency range. "
Readers say: » "I can see this device as having a broad range of applications."
USABILITY RANK: 9

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FREESCALE
Freescale goes ZigBee with Developers Starter Kit
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Freescale Semiconductor (formerly Motorola's semiconductor division) is providing manufacturers with a single source ZigBee-ready platform. This comprehensive, scalable solution is engineered to reduce the amount of time and money customers spend developing with multiple suppliers and offer support from one company. ZigBee technology from Freescale enables wireless products for a variety of monitoring, automation, and control applications in the home, industrial, and health related environments. The low cost 13192DSK-A00 developer starter kit (DSK) can be ordered today. This platform tool contains the hardware, software, and documentation necessary to quickly implement efficient wireless designs. "
Readers say: » "If they really want to promote the technology, they should sell this for $20, or give it away." » "Competing standards questions. " » "This is very exciting stuff. Motorola is a bit late in the single-chip-radio arena. The low price point and the highly integrated modules provide a simple starting point for most people." » "Couldn't find any techinical reason to use it in comparison to CC2420 other than their big name. It took forever, not impressed. " » "It looks like a great kit to speed development. Having all components available from a single source is very helpful."
USABILITY RANK: 8

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ANALOG DEVICES
Active receive mixer meets demanding wireless signal processing needs
eeProductCenter's Paul O'Shea says: "Analog Devices' newest RF/IF (radio/intermediate frequency) integrated circuit is an active receive mixer for demanding signal processing requirements within wireless infrastructure designs. In addition to offering designers flexibility in frequency planning and IF selection, the AD8344 boasts the smallest footprint and lowest power specifications available on the RF IC market. Unlike conventional passive mixers that require many external components, the AD8344 active mixer integrates an on-chip LO driver and provides conversion gain, thus minimizing the need for external gain stages. "
Readers say: » "Would be nice if it worked off supplies lower than 5V, and/or it had wider frequency range. Size is nice but no big deal to me." » "Good specs, I wonder about power consumption" » "Analog Devices deserves top marks for innovation." » "Looks useful."
USABILITY RANK: 10