UWB Chip Hoists Integration Levels

Setting what may be an integration benchmark, the RTMI-100 ultra-wideband (UWB) chip packs a radio, PHY, MAC, I/O, and an application processor, implemented on 0.18-mm, SiGe BiCMOS process. Operating with a 4-GHz bandwidth, the digital portion of the device is CMOS based, while the high-frequency section relies on SiGe technology. Integrated features include power and low-noise amplifiers, an adaptive-channel digital radio, IEEE 802.15.3 MAC, standard PCI 2.3 interface with master/slave, expansion port with dedicated RISC I/O processor, error correction, and encryption. Additionally, the chip employs the company's QoS technology that supports streaming media without the need for further processing, and it complies with FCC Part 15 Subpart F. ARTIMI INC., Santa Clara, CA. (650) 348-0288.