Programmable Transceiver First For Handsets And Femtocells

Promising seamless switching between multiple wireless bands and protocols in the cellular handset and femtocell markets, the BW1102 Softransceiver RFIC is reportedly the first programmable CMOS RF transceiver. The device is software configurable across all channels in the frequency bands between 700 MHz and 3.8 GHz. This allows configuration for multiple wireless protocols such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA, CDMA2K, EVDO, 802.11b/g, and 802.16d/e. Additionally, the BW1102 supports emerging bands such as the 700-MHz band becoming available in the US in 2009, and new protocols such as LTE, the next generation protocol in the UMTS family. Based on a standard digital CMOS process, it comes in a 7 mm x 7 mm PBGA package integrating all requisite RF, analog, mixed-signal and digital circuitry, and built-in test and calibration. Samples of the BW1102 will begin shipping next month and volume production shipments will begin during the third quarter. BITWAVE SEMICONDUCTOR INC., Lowell, MA. (978) 888-0200.