Fujitsu tips 'smallest' RF module for Mobile WiMAX

Fujitsu Ltd says it has launched the world's smallest RF module for mobile devices, which supports all of the RF circuitry designed for Mobile WiMAX. The MB86K71 RF module, co-developed with Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd, was designed using 90nm CMOS process technology.

This RF module, which is said to feature all the RF circuits for Mobile WiMAX devices including RF IC, antenna switches, a power amplifier, filters and an oscillator circuit, measures 15mm x 15mm x 1.5mm. The RF module supports MIMO technology, thus enabling high-speed and reliable wireless connections that are essential for Mobile WiMAX devices. Moreover, Fujitsu also verified that this RF module can be connected to Fujitsu's Mobile WiMAX baseband chip, MB86K21.

Mobile WiMAX is a next-generation broadband wireless technology featuring faster data transmission than 3G cellular networks, and wider coverage than existing WLANs. Mobile WiMAX service is scheduled to start in the United States and Taiwan in 2008, followed by Japan where the service is scheduled to start in 2009.

With the RF IC, 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 (view image here). Subsequently, the world's smallest size module was realized, with dimensions 15mm x 15mm x 1.5mm which will contribute to a reduction in the form factor of Mobile WiMAX devices.

Sample shipment will start at the end of February.