Q&A with Qorvo’s Gernot Fattinger: Why RF Filter Innovation is Non-Negotiable

At Qorvo, we’re proud to lead the industry in high-performance RF filters—a title we work hard to earn every day. As spectrum becomes more crowded and devices grow smaller and more complex, filters must perform better than ever in less space.

We sat down with Gernot Fattinger, vice president of Global Operations Technology, to talk about how Qorvo is pushing the boundaries of filter innovation and why it matters to our customers across industries. His message was clear: filters are everywhere, and innovation is non-negotiable.

Q: Why are RF filters so important in today’s wireless world?

Gernot:Acoustic filters—specifically bulk acoustic wave (BAW) and surface acoustic wave (SAW)—are critical to virtually all wireless communication above 500 MHz, from smartphones and Wi-Fi networks to radar and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) applications.

Filters isolate and shape signals, allowing devices to connect faster, more reliably and more efficiently. Today’s premium smartphones contain nearly 100 filters, with Qorvo contributing across low-band, mid-band, high-band and ultra-high-band frequencies, and even Wi-Fi and UWB modules. However, filters aren’t just for mobile devices. They are essential for robust defense communications, aerospace, 5G base stations, the IoT and emerging wireless applications.

Q: What’s the latest innovation coming out of Qorvo’s filter technology?

Gernot: One of the biggest breakthroughs is our 7th generation BAW technology, also known as GEN7 BAW. GEN7 removes the cavity structure used in prior uBAW designs—a major step to shrinking size without compromising performance. GEN7 BAW is 30% smaller on average than its predecessor and offers better power handling, all while simplifying integration into compact modules. In short, we found a way to eliminate the cavity and can even place connections right on top of the resonator. This kind of innovation helps us deliver the performance our customers need.

Q: What about lower frequencies? Are you innovating there too?

Gernot: Absolutely. While BAW technology remains the predominant choice at higher frequencies, SAW filters play a vital role below 1.5 GHz, particularly in low-band applications, as well as for some specific mid-band frequencies. This is where our new low-loss resonator SAW (LRT-SAW) technology is leading the way. LRT-SAW delivers dramatically better performance than legacy SAW platforms, such as temperature-compensated SAW (TC-SAW). LRT-SAW enables sharper transitions and more efficient filtering—exactly what’s needed as more devices compete for low-band spectrum. I expect LRT-SAW to become the go-to solution for low-band frequencies and a critical component in future integrated modules. LRT-SAW will be Qorvo’s next crown jewel.