RFMD expands portfolio of 5GHz WiFi FEMs for handsets, smartphones and tablets

GREENSBORO, USA: RF Micro Devices Inc. has announced the expansion of its industry-leading 5GHz WiFi product portfolio to include three new 5GHz high-band WiFi front end modules (FEMs) with integrated power amplifiers (PAs). The three new 5GHz FEMs – the RF5686, the RF5506, and the RF5516 -- deliver industry-leading high power and high linearity and are optimized for the rapidly growing smartphone and tablet markets.

The global WiFi market is growing rapidly and is forecast to represent a greater than $1 billion total addressable market (TAM) by 2014. Adoption of dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz/5GHz) in handsets is estimated to increase from approximately 25 percent of all handsets in 2011 to approximately 50 percent of all handsets in 2012, with increasing emphasis on the 5GHz band for use in 3G/4G smartphones.

The anticipated growth in tablet devices is also forecast to support 5GHz FEM adoption, as mobile WiFi chipsets for tablets increasingly adopt dual-band functionality.

To satisfy the growing market demand, RFMD has developed industry-leading FEMs with high levels of integration, small package sizes, and best-in-class linearity performance. RFMD offers a broad portfolio of highly integrated FEMs that include the PA, the switch, filtering, baluns and an optional low noise amplifier (LNA) for both single-band (2.4GHz or 5GHz) and dual- band (2.4GHz/5GHz) operation. RFMD's WiFi product portfolio also includes discrete PAs, switches and switch/LNA products that support integrated chipset solutions.

Bob Van Buskirk, president of RFMD's Multi-Market Products Group (MPG), said: "RFMD forecasts the WiFi market will expand significantly as dual-band adoption increases and as volume expands across a variety of end markets, including smartphones, tablets, home automation, WiFi TV, automotive and personal computing. Because carrier requirements continue to demand higher power levels, this is placing an even greater focus on product performance and increasing the reliance on RFMD's core technology and product development capabilities."

Samples and production quantities of the RF5686, RF5506, and RF5516 are available now through RFMD sales representatives and through the RFMD online store.