Anokiwave [Now Qorvo] Introduces World’s First Ka-Band 5G Si AESA Core IC

Anokiwave Inc. announces the world’s first Ka-band silicon AESA quad core IC for 5G wireless networks.

SAN DIEGO, CA – May 18, 2016 – Anokiwave [Now Qorvo], an innovative company providing highly integrated core IC solutions for mmW markets and AESA based solutions, today announced the worldwide release of the world’s first commercially available Ka-band silicon AESA quad core IC for 5G communications markets.

The AWMF-0108 operates at 27.5-30 GHz, supports 4 Tx/Rx radiating elements, and includes all requisite beam steering controls for 5-bit phase and gain control. The device operates in half duplex, enabling a single antenna to support both Tx and Rx operation. Anokiwave’s patent-pending IP blocks implemented in silicon technology enable low-cost hybrid beam forming for multi-antenna arrays with high energy efficiency.

Additional features of the AWMF-0108 include gain compensation over temperature, temperature reporting, Tx power telemetry, and fast beam switching using eight on-chip beam weight storage registers.

“Novel AESA core IC solutions for 5G systems will require dramatically increased performance, features, and functions. A primary enabler for a planar 5G array is for the Tx/Rx functionality to physically fit in the lattice at mmW frequencies with the required integration level,” states Robert Donahue, Anokiwave CEO. “Innovative AESA systems solutions are solved with unique integration of functionality to achieve successful system cost and performance goals in 5G systems.”

The AWMF-0108 is a highly integrated half-duplex transmit-receive IC in a commercial QFN-style surface mount plastic package with dimensions of 6mm x 6mm x 0.9mm, easily fitting within the typical 5.3mm lattice spacing at 28 GHz. The IC is controlled though a 5-wire serial to parallel interface (SPI) bus and has ESD protection on all pins.