Scintera Announces Availability of Breakthrough Power Amplifier Linearization SoC

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Scintera Networks, Inc., a leading provider of semiconductors for wireless communications, today announced the general availability of its SC1887: Adaptive RF Power Amplifier Linearizer (RFPAL) system-on-chip (SoC). Adaptive linearization, commonly used to increase the efficiency and output power of macro basestation power amplifiers, has previously been very complex and expensive, consumed a large amount of power, and was not applicable to many newer system configurations. The SC1887 SoC operates directly at the carrier frequency, and is a breakthrough in size, power, and simplicity for this advanced signal processing function. SC1887 was first sampled in August 2009 and is designed into products currently in development by leading power amplifier vendors and systems integrators worldwide.

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The deployment of heterogeneous and distributed 3G and 4G broadband wireless networks requires a new approach to solve the problems of power consumption, size and cost of transmitters," said Art Reidel, chief executive officer of Scintera. "Scintera is bringing solutions to the market that meet this need and enable the deployment of highly efficient and cost effective next generation networks."

Prior to the SC1887, engineers designing broadband transmitters were forced to use higher cost RF components and accept low efficiency, or had to use expensive linearization schemes, with multiple high power integrated circuits, which also increased system design and test cost. The SC1887 breaks these complexity, power, and cost barriers by offering an easy to use, low power, single package solution that is inserted into transmitter designs directly in line with the power amplifier. The RFin/RFout solution offers standalone operation and requires neither complex software development nor access to baseband signals. As a result, users are able to quickly bring to market linearized power amplifier solutions, in any configuration required, while minimizing development and manufacturing costs.

Packaged in a small form factor, 9x9 mm plastic package, the SC1887 can be implemented in less than 625 sq mm of board space and is easily integrated directly into power amplifier modules. Consuming less than 600 mW, the SC1887 is ideally suited to lower power transmitters such as those being widely deployed in distributed 4G networks. Operating over the full range of frequencies covering all major cellular infrastructure bands, this flexible solution supports a broad range of modulation standards such as CDMA, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA and OFDMA (WiMax, LTE).

The SC1887 is the first implementation of Scintera's Gigahertz Signal Processing™ technology (GSP™). GSP is a programmable analog signal processor platform offering the advantages of digital signal processing but at the reduced power and size of analog solutions. GSP is an ideal fit for the complex signal processing required for power amplifier linearization as implemented in the SC1887.

The SC1887 is available in volume production and can be purchased directly from Richardson Electronics Ltd. Online at www.rell.com. Pricing starts in volume at $70 at 100 pieces.

About Scintera

Scintera provides a programmable analog signal processing platform that delivers higher performance and lower power consumption than traditional digital signal processing (DSP) solutions. Scintera is applying its breakthrough technology to solve real-world problems in the wireless cellular infrastructure market. The company is enabling the next generation of wireless networks, providing wider wireless coverage at higher data rates with lower costs. Scintera is privately held and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For further information, visit http://www.scintera.com.

The Scintera logo and Scintera are registered trademarks of Scintera Networks, Inc. Gigahertz Signal Processing and GSP are trademarks of Scintera Networks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Scintera Networks, Inc.