GSM/GPRS Transceiver Achieves High Levels Of Integration

Assuming the title of the industry’s most integrated single-package GSM/GPRS transceiver, the Aero I also claims to reduce component counts by 85% and board space by 75%. The transceiver allows an entire triple-band radio, excluding power amplifier and switch, to reside in an area measuring just 1.2 cm x 1.2 cm using a total of 15 discrete components, including SAW filters. On-chip integrated features include all RF and IF voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), loop filters, clock coupling capacitors, and all VCO tuning components. A software programmable universal baseband interface provides compatibility with all standard basebands. The Aero family includes four devices: the Aero and Aero+ and the Aero I and Aero I+. The Aero+ and Aero I+ transceivers add a digitally controlled crystal oscillator (DCXO) to accommodate a 13/26 MHz crystal instead of a VC-TCXO module for the RF reference clock. Available in 8 mm x 8 mm, 32-pin land grid array (LGA) packages, pricing begins at $5.34 each/10,000. An evaluation board is available for $250. SILICON LABORATORIES INC., Austin, TX. (877) 411-7522.