With the rapid development of the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G), the 5G technology has introduced 5G NR frequency bands such as N41, N77, and N79 in addition to the original 4G frequency bands, and the latest 5G scheme needs to support 2T4R, which also means that the demand for filters and duplexers has doubled!
The PCB layout area of 5G mobile phone RF front-end is more than three times that of 4G, but the space of mobile communication terminals such as smart phones is limited, so the requirements for miniaturization and modularization of devices used in high-performance terminals, especially filter devices with the function of transmitting and receiving specific frequencies, will be further improved. As a leading domestic filter company, Zuolan Microelectronics not only launched a series of miniaturized products suitable for customers, but also continuously improved its performance and integration.
Small products break through Smaller
At present, ZuoLan Microelectronics has made breakthrough progress in small size packaging products, such as 0907 SAW filter and 1612 duplexer. Among them, the 1612 size B5 band duplexer is entering the mass production preparation stage. The input power reaches 31dBm, the typical value of TX insertion loss is 1.5dB, and the typical value of RX insertion loss is 1.9dB. The isolation performance is equivalent to that of foreign brand manufacturers, and the out of band suppression system meets the needs of the terminal market.
In addition, in some important frequency bands used in North America, Left Blue Microelectronics has also made a lot of progress: such as B12 small size duplexer, and all index simulation data can meet customer requirements. These bands have many requirements for certification and high performance requirements. Miniaturized devices can effectively improve the utilization of board area and the flexibility of layout.
In addition to the 1612 size B5 and B12 frequency bands, other miniaturization series of ZuoLan Microelectronics have also been planned, and more new products will be introduced successively.
Modularization
For RF front-end devices, besides miniaturization, modularization is also an important trend. There are many types of RF front-end modules with different integration levels in the 5G era, such as ASM, FEMiD, PAMiD, etc. At present, PAMiD has the highest degree of modularization. Because PA uses GaAs HBT, LNA and RFSOI used by RF switches, and the filter uses MEMS technology, the integration of the filter is difficult.
Left blue microelectronics also has an important layout in module integration. Since the company entered the modular track in 2021, it has launched two module products integrating RF switches and diversity receivers of left blue WLP filters: SPDM001 and SPDM003, which have been imported into the client project test and fully affirmed.
The diversity receiving module of SPDM001 is packaged with LGA, and the package size is 3.2mm * 3.0mm. The SPDM003 diversity receiving module is also packaged with LGA, with a package size of 3.7mm * 3.2mm. These two module products have the advantages of small size, high integration and high reliability. This is the first step of ZuoLan’s RF module series product planning. Next, we will carry out research and development and breakthroughs in more high-end module products, such as LFEM and PAMiD, to accelerate the launch of related products.
There is a long way to go to replace the domestic 5G RF front-end. The maturity of devices requires the support of large-scale applications, as well as the coordination of upstream, midstream and downstream of the industrial chain. Zuolan Microelectronics will continue to expand more 5G RF band series products in this process, introduce products with miniaturization, integration, higher performance and stronger market competitiveness, and provide customers with better solutions and professional services in place!