Skyworks Solutions Tuesday announced that its highly innovative CMOS switches for satellite receiver applications are gaining significant market traction and have commenced volume production in support of several customers throughout Asia and Europe.
The SKY13264-340LF and SKY13272-340LF, which were first launched in June 2005, are the first true high-isolation direct broadcast satellite (DBS) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) switches that deliver higher levels of integration, are easier to implement, and offer customers a lower-cost alternative as compared to gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based or discrete silicon (Si)-based components.
Across the satellite receiver industry, dual and quad low noise block (LNB) switches are increasingly enabling a single dish to view multiple satellites, and allowing hundreds of channels to be viewed per household. Depending on the architecture, there may be a need for up to eight switches per installation.
"We are delighted to be capturing substantial market share just six months following the introduction of our RF CMOS solutions," said Stan A. Swearingen, vice president and general manager of Linear Products for Skyworks. "This traction exemplifies Skyworks' ability to effectively leverage its core analog and mixed signal capabilities and deliver innovation in both mature and emerging markets."
The SKY13264-340LF and SKY13272-340LF are 4 x 2 switch matrices combining a digital decoder with the RF switching network, accomplishing the same function as GaAs-silicon hybrid circuits or 32 RF PIN diodes and discrete bias circuitry. These switches are Pb-Free and assembled in 4mm x 4mm plastic packages. They are designed with four high-frequency inputs and two high-frequency outputs, requiring only four control lines to put the switch in one of 16 possible states.
In 2004, Skyworks launched the Linear Products business unit with a charter to aggressively leverage the company's core analog product portfolio and modeling capabilities, along with its strong catalog sales channels and specialized rep and distributor networks, in non-handset applications. To date, Skyworks has secured several strategic design wins in the medical, broadband, automotive and industrial markets.
