At the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain (24–27 February), analog semiconductor maker Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA has introduced a suite of products targeting low-cost smartphones for emerging, high-growth markets.
Skyworks’ portfolio of scalable and flexible front-ends includes multi-band power amplifiers, antenna switches and diversity modules for low- to high-end TD-LTE platforms. The highly efficient solutions deliver enhanced functionality, support multiple modulation schemes and enable handset makers to reduce the number of discrete components. GTI (the industry association for the Global TDD Initiative) recently presented Skyworks with the 2014 GTI Innovation Award for developing products that address the performance, cost and size challenges of the TD-LTE market.
Skyworks is capitalizing on the enormous LTE upgrade cycle and demand for low-cost smartphones across emerging markets, says Reza Kasnavi, VP & general manager of open market platforms at Skyworks. “Our high-performance products provide customers with a complete system solution as well as a broad range of architectural implementation options.”
According to a Credit Suisse report ‘Five Takeaways for Wireless’ in January, LTE handsets will double in terms of volumes in 2014 to 537 million, and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33% long term. In addition, emerging markets will rise from 71% of volume to 80% long term, driving a CAGR of 20%.
