Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA (which manufactures analog and mixed-signal semiconductors) has unveiled its suite of 75Ω low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) and high-performance switches supporting higher data rates across broadband networking platforms in the connected home.
As more devices become connected within the home, consumers are demanding reliable, high-speed, wide-area network (WAN) connections to carry data, voice, video and multimedia content simultaneously, notes Skyworks. The firm's newest solutions support DOCSIS 3.1 standards, which enable speeds of 1Gbps on existing hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) networks and up to 10Gbps on next-generation systems. According to a recent news article, as of March 2015, the top ten states in the USA with the highest networks speeds averaged internet speeds of just over 40Mbps.
"With consumers demanding ever increasing data rates for audio and video streaming, web browsing and other wireless networking applications within the home, there is a need for high-performance analog solutions supporting broadband platforms that can significantly add capacity and lay the groundwork for future increases in download speeds," says John O'Neill, VP of broad markets. "Skyworks' newest products meet these demanding requirements and further demonstrate our ability to deliver innovative, system-level solutions," he adds. "By partnering with OEMs, Skyworks is able to offer consumers some of the world's fastest networking speeds and Wi-Fi connections within the connected home and across the Internet of Things."
According to a May 2015 Visual Networking Index Forecast by Cisco, broadband speeds will more than double by 2019. By 2019, global fixed broadband speeds will reach 42.5Mbps, up from 20.3Mbps in 2014. Skyworks says that its suite of solutions is enabling devices that support these higher data-rate speeds. Specifically, the firm's new broadband networking solutions include the following products:
- The SKY65450-92LF is a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) front-end, low-noise amplifier with bypass mode designed especially for set-top box and home gateway applications. Optimized to operate between 40MHz and 1GHz, the device is claimed to provide high linearity, excellent gain, and best-in-class composite triple beat and composite second order. It is fabricated using silicon germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS technology and manufactured in a 6-pin, SC-70 surface-mount technology (SMT) package.
- The SKY65452-92LF is a MMIC front-end LNA designed for set-top box and home gateway applications. Optimized to operate between 40MHz and 1GHz, the device is claimed to provide high linearity, excellent gain, and best in class composite triple beat and composite second order. It is fabricated using SiGe BiCMOS and manufactured in a 6-pin, SC-70 SMT package.
- The SKY13547-490LF is a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) 75Ω switch. Its high linearity and low insertion loss meet the most stringent requirements of DOCSIS 3.1 applications. The switch is a 'reflective short' on the isolated port and is provided in a compact 2mm x 2mm, 12-pin QFN package.
- The SKY13548-385LF is a SPDT 75Ω switch intended for mode switching in either pre-select filter or post-select filter in set-top boxes and cable modem applications. Using advanced switching technologies and manufactured in a compact 1mm x 1mm, 6-pin QFN package, the SKY13548-385LF is said to maintain low insertion loss and high isolation for all switching paths.
Skyworks is highlighting its Internet of Things product portfolio at the 2016 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall, Meeting Place 25646 (6-9 January).
