Triad Semiconductor Inc., a supplier of via-configurable mixed-signal ASICs, and Kaben Wireless Silicon Inc., a provider of high performance mixed-signal IP, announced the development of a programmable and via-configurable RF array (RF-VCA) for use in a wide variety of wireless applications. Implemented in a 65 nm RF-CMOS process, the RF-VCA makes integrating ARM processors, a customer’s proprietary digital circuits and custom RF receivers into small, cost effective solutions a reality.
Traditionally, RF IC design has been expensive, time-consuming and risky! RF ICs often need from three to four expensive silicon fabrication cycles and they require two years to develop a production worthy device. Using the Triad-Kaben RF-VCA approach, designs can go from concept to working silicon in four to six months. As the RF-VCAs are configured with a single mask layer change, designs can be modified and revised silicon can be delivered in four weeks at a fraction of the cost of a full-custom RF IC re-spin.
“Not everyone has cell-phone-like production volumes and the development budgets necessary to create their own custom 65nm RF receiver ASIC paired with an embedded ARM processor and custom analog and digital,” said Reid Wender, VP of Marketing at Triad Semiconductor. “Now, with the Kaben Powered RF-VCA, many companies that would have never considered ASIC integration can afford their own custom RF-VCA solution.”
The RF-VCA contains two complete RF receiver signal chains that can be configured for applications such as GPS, cellular base stations, cognitive radio, military receivers, FM tuners, ISM-band receivers, and MRI channels. Central to the RF-VCA’s architecture is Kaben’s patented SIF-ADC™ technology that implements RF down-mixing, SAW filter replacement, and analog to digital conversion (ADC) and can be dynamically programmed in the field. The SIF-ADC architecture is ideally suited for implementation on Triad’s VCA architecture. Implemented in an RF-optimized 65nm process, the RF-VCA combines high-performance RF and IF processing with 12-14 bit, 156MSPS SIF-ADCs, onboard RF synthesizers, 2-million configurable ASIC gates, 2-Mbits of dual-port SRAM, and dual 3.125Gbps SERDES channels. The RF-VCA is a complete RF and digital solution for applications spanning frequencies from DC to 3 GHz.
“Combining the performance and field programmable capabilities of the SIF-ADC with the configurability of the VCA technology is very powerful,” said Seste Dell’Aera, Kaben’s Director of Marketing. “A single product can now be applied to a wide a range of wireless and wireline receiver applications.”
