PRODUCT SUMMARY
SKY77518–11 Tx–Rx iPAC™ FEM for Dual-Band GSM/GPRS
Applications
Description
The SKY77518–11 is a transmit and receive front-end module (FEM) with Integrated Power Amplifier
Control (iPAC™) for dual-band cellular handsets comprising GSM900 and DCS1800 operation.
Designed in a low profile, compact form factor, the SKY77518–11 offers a complete Transmit VCO-to-
Antenna and Antenna-to-Receive SAW filter solution. The FEM also supports Class 12 General Packet
Radio Service (GPRS) multi-slot operation.
• Dual-band cellular handsets
encompassing
- Class 4 GSM900
- DCS1800
- Class 12 GPRS multi-slot
operation
The module consists of a GSM900 PA block and a DCS1800 PA block, impedance-matching circuitry
for 50 Ω input and output impedances, TX harmonics filtering, high linearity and low insertion loss
PHEMT RF switches, diplexer and a Power Amplifier Control (PAC) block with internal current sense
resistor. A custom BiCMOS integrated circuit provides the internal PAC function and decoder circuitry
to control the RF switches. The two Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) PA blocks are fabricated
onto a single Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) die. One PA block supports the GSM900 band and the other PA
block supports the DCS1800 band. Both PA blocks share common power supply pads to distribute
current. The output of each PA block and the outputs to the two receive pads are connected to the
antenna pad through PHEMT RF switches and a diplexer. The GaAs die, PHEMT die, Silicon (Si) die
and passive components are mounted on a multi-layer laminate substrate. The assembly is
encapsulated with plastic overmold.
Features
• High efficiency
- GSM900 48%
- DCS 41%
• Low transmit supply current
- GSM900 1.26 A
- DCS1800 0.9 A
• Internal ICC sense resistor
Band selection and control of transmit and receive modes are performed using two external control
pads. Refer to the functional block diagram in Figure 1 below. The band select pad (BS) selects
between GSM and DCS modes of operation. The transmit enable (TX_EN) pad controls receive or
transmit mode of the respective RF switch (TX = logic 1). Proper timing between transmit enable
(TX_EN) and Analog Power Control (VRAMP) allows for high isolation between the antenna and TX-
VCO while the VCO is being tuned prior to the transmit burst.
for iPAC
• Closed loop iPAC
• 50 Ω matched Input/Output
• TX–VCO-to-antenna and
antenna-to-RX-SAW filter
RF interface
The SKY77518–11 is compatible with logic levels from 1.2 V to VCC for BS and TX_EN pads,
depending on the level applied to the VLOGIC pad. This feature provides additional flexibility for the
designer in the selection of FEM interface control logic.
• TX harmonics below –33
dBm
• PHEMT RF switches afford
high linearity, low insertion
loss, and less than 20 μA
supply current in receive
modes
• Small outline: 6 x 8 mm
• Low profile: 1.1 mm
• Compatible with multiple
logic families
• Low APC current: 25 μA
Figure 1. SKY77518-11 Functional Block Diagram
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. • Phone [781] 376-3000 • Fax [781] 376-3100 • sales@skyworksinc.com • www.skyworksinc.com
201056A • Skyworks Proprietary and Confidential Information • Products and Product Information are Subject to Change Without Notice. • March 13, 2009
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