Fujitsu Launches World's Smallest RF Module for Mobile WiMAX Devices; Supports MIMO Technology Enabling High-speed, Reliable Communication

JCN Newswires, Feb 7, 2008

Tokyo, Japan, Feb 7, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Limited today announced the launch of the world's smallest radio frequency(RF) module for mobile devices, which supports all of the RF circuitry necessary for Mobile WiMAX[1], the highly anticipated next-generation broadband wireless technology. The new RF module, MB86K71, co-developed with Fujitsu Laboratories Limited, was designed using 90-nanometer CMOS process technology. Sample shipment is scheduled to start at the end of February 2008.

This new RF module from Fujitsu, the world's smallest to feature all of the RF circuits necessary for Mobile WiMAX devices including RF-IC[2], antenna switches, a power amplifier, filters, and an oscillator circuit[3], measures just 15mm x 15mm (height: 1.5mm) in dimension. Thus, this RF module will enable significant reduction of the form-factor of Mobile WiMAX devices.

The new RF module also supports MIMO[4] technology, thereby enabling high-speed and reliable wireless connections that are essential for Mobile WiMAX devices. Furthermore, Fujitsu also verified that this RF module can be connected to Fujitsu's previously released Mobile WiMAX baseband chip[5], MB86K21, enabling customers faster development and faster time to market of Mobile WiMAX devices through the use of both of these chips.

Fujitsu will exhibit this RF module at the GMSA Mobile World Congress 2008 to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from February 11-14, 2008. (Stand J45, Hall 1)

Mobile WiMAX is a next-generation broadband wireless technology featuring data transmission that is faster than that of 3G cellular networks, and wider coverage than existing wireless LANs. Mobile WiMAX service is scheduled to start in the U.S and Taiwan in 2008, followed by Japan where the service is scheduled to start in 2009. With this ramp-up of WiMAX, opportunities for new markets and services are expected to be created.

Fujitsu will continue to pursue the integration of baseband chips and RF modules, and in addition to adding products to its line-up which will feature even lower power consumption and smaller form-factors, Fujitsu aims to contribute to the expansion of the Mobile WiMAX market through the further miniaturization of RF-IC.

Key Features

1. World's smallest RF module realized by utilizing 90nm CMOS process technology

With the RF-IC fabricated in 90nm CMOS process technology, combined with antenna switches, a power amplifier, filters, and an oscillator circuit, all the necessary RF circuits for a Mobile WiMAX device are in one module. Subsequently, the world's smallest size module was realized, with dimensions 15mm x 15mm (height 1.5mm) which will contribute to a reduction in the form-factor of Mobile WiMAX devices.

2. High-speed, reliable connections using MIMO

This product supports MIMO, which utilizes multiple antennas, to achieve high-speed and reliable wireless connections. This product also supports WiMAX Forum's Wave 2[6] specifications.

Sample Pricing and Shipment

- Product: MB86K71

- Sample Price: JPY 5,000

- Start of Sample Shipment: End of February 2008

Sales Target

Accumulated revenues of 5 billion yen (JPY) by the end of fiscal year 2010 (March 31, 2011).

Key Specifications of the MB86K71 RF Module

Module Size:              15mm x 15mm x 1.5mm
Pin Count:                94 pins
Pin Pitch:                0.5mm
Operating Voltage:        1.2V/2.925V/3.3V (3 voltages)
RF band:                  2.496GHz to 2.69GHz
Bandwidth:                5MHz, 10MHz
Wireless Access Method:   512/1024 FFT OFDMA
Modulation method:        64QAM(**1), 16QAM, QPSK(**2)
Antenna:                  2x2 STC/MIMO
                          (supports MatrixA & MatrixB)
Antenna Impedance:        50 Ohm
Diversity:                Antenna Diversity
Transmission Standard:    IEEE 802.16e-2005

(**1) QAM:                Quadrature Amplitude Modulation.
                          A digital modulation technique used in
                          wireless communication.
(**2) QPSK:               Quadrature Phase Shift Keying. A digital
                          modulation technique used in wireless
                          communication.

Related Websites

- Fujitsu Limited - Microelectronics and Electronic Devices: http://www.fujitsu.com/microelectronics

- Related WiMAX baseband press release: http://www.fujitsu.com/emea/news/pr/fme_20070521.html

[1] Mobile WiMAX: Conforms to the IEEE 802.16e-2005 Mobile WiMAX standard.

[2] RF-IC: Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (high-frequency IC). A communication device that utilizes high-frequency bands to receive and transmit wireless signals, and processes analog signals.

[3] Oscillator circuit: Refers to a voltage-controlled, temperature-compensated crystal oscillator.

[4] MIMO: Multiple Input Multiple Output. A technology that uses multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to improve high-speed communication performance.

[5] Baseband chip: Circuits that process communication protocols for wireless networks.

[6] WiMAX Forum's Wave 2: Certification testing by WiMAX Forum for Mobile WiMAX equipment using MIMO.