Imec宣布用于5G的世界级低功耗IP模块诞生

Imec宣布用于5G的世界级低功耗IP模块诞生

比利时鲁汶，2017年9月6日 - 今天，在新加坡的Imec东南亚科技论坛上，世界领先的纳米电子和数字技术研究与创新中心imec将展示两款具有创纪录低功耗的关键构建模块，用于将来的5G应用。第一款是逐次逼近型模数转换器（SAR ADC），它指令周期快，体积非常紧凑，专为在6GHz以下頻段（4G / 5G）上运行的消费电子产品而设计，例如手机。第二款是具有射频（RF）相移和片上收发切功能的60GHz前端模块，针对5G固定无线接入和小蜂窝回传应用而开发感兴趣的公司可通过加入imec的产业联盟计划或获得知识产权许可，获取这两款构建模块。

5G mobile networks, promise massive connectivity through much higher data rates, lower latency and lower battery consumption than current 4G standards. To realize this, frequencies below 6GHz and also millimeter-wave frequencies, especially at the 57-66GHz unlicensed band, are explored, promising speeds of multi-Gb/s with low latency.

“Imec is developing novel IP building blocks for 5G, operating below-6GHz as well as in the 60GHz frequency band,” stated Wim Van Thillo, program director perceptive systems at imec. “Our portfolio includes record-breaking analog-to-digital convertors (ADCs), reconfigurable low-noise frequency synthesizers, millimeter-wave phased array transceivers, antenna modules and more. These building blocks show state-of-the art performance, excel in low-power operation and are low cost by leveraging scaled CMOS technologies. They give our partners a unique advantage in realizing their next-generation SoC for 5G wireless communication”

Targeting smartphone applications in the below-6GHz band, imec has developed a compact, low-cost, low-power and high-speed (300Ms/s) ADC that meets the requirements of multimode multiband 5G communication. The ADC is a SAR with a reduced core area of only 350µmx 325µm which is fabricated in 16nm CMOS. It achieves a dynamic low power consumption of only 3.6mW at 300Ms/s and low-frequency signal to noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) of 70.2dB at 204MS/s.

Imec also developed a compact, energy efficient and low-cost radio front-end (TRX) that operates at 60GHz. The chip features 8-way calibration-free beamforming at RF frequencies to support a large number of antennas, making the technology attractive for fixed wireless access and small cell backhaul. The on-chip transmit-receive switching allows to share the antenna array between transmit and receive mode. The 9.6mm² chip is implemented in 28nm CMOS and consumes 231mW in receive and 508mW in transmit mode (0.9V supply).

16nm ADC chip

60GHz 8-way phased array TRX front-end chip.

These results are presented at ITF Southeast Asia (Sept 6, Singapore), one of imec’s leading high-tech events, offering an exclusive research and innovation perspective on the emerging opportunities of nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Under the theme “Tech solutions for a smart world”, imec presents innovations on hardware and software innovations that drive a smart society.