SKY74073

The SKY74073 SPR™ module combines all of the circuitry required to design a dual-band EGSM900 and DCS1800 radio into the world's smallest single package module. This small package is approximately one-third the size of alternative radio solutions and uses Skyworks low cost, multi-layer laminate substrate technology. The SKY74073 can save handset designers significant space and design-cycle time while providing a roadmap for future multi-band and 3G applications.

The SPR module SKY74073 contains Skyworks certified Full Type Approval (FTA), single-chip BiCMOS direct conversion transceiver technology. Direct conversion architecture eliminates costly Intermediate Frequency (IF) conversion steps while reducing the number of components required to support multi-band GSM/GPRS handsets. Agile channel switching enables support of GPRS multislot operations. Translation loop architecture of SKY74073 is used in the transmit path. Transmit loop filters and all supporting circuitry of SKY74073 are also integrated in the SPR module. Impedance-matching for the50 Ω antenna port, I/O bias control circuitry, and DC blocking circuitry are integrated into the module.

Two separate Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) Power Amplifier (PA) blocks of SKY74073 are fabricated on a single Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) die to provide maximum performance with the smallest possible footprint. Optimized for lithium ion battery operation, both PA blocks share common power supply pins. A custom CMOS integrated circuit provides the internal interface to the PA. The CMOS PA controller die also provides the antenna switch decoding functionality. Transmit low pass circuitry designed to filter out signal harmonics, a diplexer, and two receive Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filters of SKY74073 are also integrated in the radio module.

The front-end radio circuitry of SKY74073 uses two of Skyworks high performance, low current consumption Pseudomorphic High Electron Mobility Transistor (PHEMT), Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) GaAs switches. The switches typically draw less than 10 µA of current during operation and are designed for low insertion loss and high linearity performance. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection circuitry is integrated into the SPR module and ensures the module's ruggedness under extreme conditions.

A functional block diagram of the SKY74073 SPR is shown in Figure 1.