RF4180 Reduces Complexity And Lowers Cost Of Implementation Of Emerging
Market Handsets
BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RF Micro Devices,
Inc. (Nasdaq GS: RFMD), a global leader in the design and manufacture of
high- performance radio systems and solutions, today announced the
introduction of the RF4180 PowerStar(R) dual-band GSM/GPRS transmit module.
RFMD's RF4180 is designed to reduce front end complexity and address the
price and performance requirements of today's emerging market handsets.
The RF4180 PowerStar transmit module leverages RFMD's state-of-the-art
power control capabilities to deliver reduced solution size, simplified
transmitter design, best-in-class harmonics and ease of implementation. The
RF4180 is a dual-band transmit module featuring two symmetrical receive
ports, 50-ohm matched input and output ports and GSM/GPRS Class 12
compliance. The transmit module, which is designed for use as the final
portion of transmit sections in GSM900/DCS1800 handsets, minimizes the
requirement for PA-to- antenna matching. When mated with leading cellular
baseband system-on-chip (SoC) solutions, the RF4180 delivers a highly
integrated radio solution capable of accelerating time to market
cost-effectively.
The RF4180 PowerStar transmit module combines RFMD's patented PowerStar
integrated power control technology enhanced with the addition of power
flattening technology and integrated Vbatt tracking to provide a complete
power control system. RFMD's automatic Vbatt tracking circuit monitors
battery voltage and prevents the power control loop from reaching
saturation, thereby preserving handset switching spectrum at low battery
voltages. RFMD's power flattening circuitry significantly reduces current
and power variation into non-ideal loads (also known as "antenna
mismatch"), resulting in shorter handset development time and more robust
handset performance. The RF4180 includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD)
filter to provide ESD protection at the antenna port and is designed to
minimize loss, providing maximum efficiency at rated output power (Pout).
Paul Augustine, general manager of RFMD's Components Solutions Business
Unit, said, "The RF4180 provides handset manufacturers high efficiency and
improved performance in a cost-competitive, reduced size transmit module
architecture. This results in improved battery life and talk time as well
as reduced thermal dissipation, all of which are key metrics in the
development of emerging market handsets. RFMD will continue to focus on
solving our customers' complex RF challenges, as we introduce additional
innovative architectures and design techniques that lower costs, ease
implementation, reduce size and accelerate time-to-market."
RFMD is the market leader in GSM/GPRS front ends and leads the industry
in shipments of cellular transmit modules.
The RF4180 is Pb-free and complies fully with the Restriction of
Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS). The RF4180 is currently available
for $1.12 in quantities of one million pieces.
RFMD will showcase its industry-leading portfolio of cellular front end
products at the 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain,
February 11-14, 2008, in Hall 8, Stand 8B79.
About RFMD: RF Micro Devices (Nasdaq GS: RFMD) is a global leader in
the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency systems and
solutions. RFMD's cellular front ends, cellular transceivers, RF components
and system-on-chip (SoC) solutions enable worldwide mobility, provide
enhanced connectivity and support advanced functionality in the cellular
handset, cellular base station, wireless local area network (WLAN), CATV
networking, aerospace, defense, and global positioning systems (GPS)
markets. Recognized for its diverse portfolio of state-of-the-art
semiconductor technologies and vast RF systems expertise, RFMD is a
preferred supplier to the world's leading mobile device and RF equipment
manufacturers.
Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., RFMD is an ISO 9001- and ISO 14001-
certified manufacturer with worldwide engineering, design, sales and
service facilities. RFMD is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under
the symbol RFMD. For more information, please visit RFMD's website at
http://www.rfmd.com.
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and
contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by
use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "plan,"
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue" and
similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed
differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements
included herein represent management's current judgment and expectations,
but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from
those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We do not intend
to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the
results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as
is required under the federal securities laws. RF Micro Devices' business
is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including variability in
quarterly operating results, the rate of growth and development of wireless
markets, risks associated with the operation of our wafer fabrication
facilities, molecular beam epitaxy facility, assembly facility and test and
tape and reel facilities, our ability to complete acquisitions and
integrate acquired companies, including the risk that we may not realize
expected synergies from our business combinations, our ability to attract
and retain skilled personnel and develop leaders, variability in production
yields, our ability to reduce costs and improve gross margins by
implementing innovative technologies, our ability to bring new products to
market, our ability to adjust production capacity in a timely fashion in
response to changes in demand for our products, dependence on a limited
number of customers, and dependence on third parties. These and other risks
and uncertainties, which are described in more detail in RF Micro Devices'
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and
developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by
any of these forward-looking statements.
RF MICRO DEVICES(R), RFMD(R), PowerStar(R) and POLARIS(R) TOTAL
RADIO(TM) are trademarks of RFMD, LLC. All other trade names, trademarks
and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE RF Micro Devices, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.rfmd.com
http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/homepage.htm
CONTACT:
Dean Priddy, CFO, +1-336-678-7975, or Doug
DeLieto, VP, Investor Relations, +1-336-678-7968, both of RFMD
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