Skyworks Expands Family of Switch Modules for Cellular Handsets; New Highly Integrated LTCC-Based Solutions Significantly Increase User Talk Time
WOBURN, Mass., Oct 9, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Skyworks Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq:SWKS), the industry's leading wireless semiconductor company focused on radio frequency (RF) and complete cellular system solutions, today expanded its family of leadership Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) switch products with the addition of two new highly integrated antenna switch modules designed for next-generation cellular handsets.
Antenna switch modules perform transmit and receive switching as well as band switching while filtering power amplifier (PA) harmonics, and are a key component in reducing a handset's system complexity.
Skyworks' AM107-602 and AM108-603 switch modules are designed to support all key wireless standards as well as the stringent cost and small-size requirements of global handset manufacturers. Both of the new modules are based on the company's low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology, obtained through the acquisition of Aimta Inc. earlier this year.
LTCC improves system integration levels, enhances performance and increases user talk time.
"Following three generations of switch leadership, we have again set the industry standard for performance with the introduction of our new LTCC-based switch modules," said David Fryklund, Skyworks' vice president of switch and control products.
"Our multi-chip module expertise in GaAs PHEMT, silicon decoder ICs and now LTCC, allows our customers to shrink board space, reduce power consumption and simplify handset design."
AM107-602
Skyworks' new AM107-602 is a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)-based dual-band antenna switch module, operating on the enhanced global standard for mobile communications (E-GSM) 900 and digital cellular system (DCS) 1800 bands.
This module was designed to provide an alternative to PIN diode-based products and offers improved insertion loss and lower current drain in all conditions leading to increased handset talk time. During transmit mode this solution will draw 5 microamps (uA), while a typical PIN diode module draws 5 to 10 milliamps (mA).
Additional features of the new module include integrated SP2T GaAs switches, a decoder for two-line control, low-pass transmit filters and diplexer. Packaged in a 12-pin 5.4mm x 4.0mm x 1.6mm land grid array (LGA) module, the AM107-602 is the one of the industry's smallest antenna switches.
AM108-603
Skyworks' AM108-603 is a tri-band GaAs-based antenna switch module operating on the GSM 900, DCS 1800 and PCS 1900 bands. This module offers comparable insertion loss and lower current drain in all states (typical less than 5 uA in receive), relative to competing products.
The AM108-603 offers an integrated decoder chip that allows the handset designer to choose from a variety of switching topologies. For example, the high band can be turned off while transmitting in GSM mode. This function is not available in PIN diode modules and allows for isolation between DCS/PCS receive and the antenna to be improved by 20 dB.
Additionally, the module includes SP2T/SP3T GaAs switches, a decoder for three-line control, low-pass transmit filters and diplexer. The AM108-603 is packaged in a 12-pin 6.7mm x 5.0mm x 1.7mm LGA module.
Price and Availability
Skyworks' new antenna switch modules are available now. The AM107-602 is priced at $0.95 in quantities of 10,000. The AM108-603 is priced at $1.25 in quantities of 10,000.
In addition, both of the new modules can be combined with any of the company's existing products, including Skyworks' leadership PA modules, RF subsystems and cellular system solutions.
About Skyworks
Skyworks Solutions is the industry's leading wireless semiconductor company focused on RF and complete cellular system solutions for mobile communications applications. The company began operations in June 2002, following the completion of the merger between Alpha Industries Inc. and Conexant Systems Inc.'s wireless communications business.
Skyworks is focused on providing front-end modules, RF subsystems and cellular systems to wireless handset and infrastructure customers worldwide.
Skyworks has headquarters in Woburn and has executive offices in Newport Beach, Calif. The company has design, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, sales and service facilities throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia Pacific. For more information visit www.skyworksinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include information relating to future results of Skyworks (including certain projections and business trends). All such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, and may affect the company's future operating results, financial position and cash flows.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: maintaining a consistent and reliable source of energy; global economic and market conditions, such as the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the markets addressed by the company's and its customers' products; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; the ability to develop, manufacture and market innovative products in a rapidly changing technological environment; the ability to compete with products and prices in an intensely competitive industry; product obsolescence; losses or curtailments of purchases from key customers or the timing of customer inventory adjustments; the timing of new product introductions; the availability and extent of utilization of raw materials, critical manufacturing equipment and manufacturing capacity; pricing pressures and other competitive factors; changes in product mix; fluctuations in manufacturing yields; the ability to continue to grow and maintain an intellectual property portfolio and obtain needed licenses from third parties; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; labor relations of the company, its customers and suppliers; economic, social and political conditions in the countries in which Skyworks, its customers or its suppliers operate, including security risks, possible disruptions in transportation networks and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Skyworks and Skyworks Solutions are trademarks or registered trademarks of Skyworks Solutions Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and in other countries. All other brands and names listed are trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT:
Skyworks Inc.
Lisa Briggs (media relations), 949/231-4553
lisa.briggs@skyworksinc.com
or
Thomas Schiller (investor relations), 949/231-4700
or
Mark Ayvazian (marketing), 978/241-7722