High data rates and low latency optimize 28 GHz fixed wireless base stations

GREENSBORO, N.C., Dec. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qorvo^® (Nasdaq:QRVO), a leading provider of innovative RF solutions that connect the world, has expanded its offering for 5G applications with the industry’s first 28 GHz Gallium Nitride (GaN) front-end module (FEM).This new FEM reduces overall system costs for base station equipment manufacturers as they expand into 5G.

According to SNS Telecom & IT, the 28 GHz frequency band is widely preferred for early 5G-based fixed wireless access (FWA) deployments¹, enabling operators to meet the speed, latency, reliability and capacity requirements of 5G.

The QPF4001 FEM integrates a high linearity LNA, a low loss transmit/receive switch and a high-gain, high efficiency multi-stage PA in a single MMIC. The compact 5×4 mm air-cavity laminate surface mount package is optimized for the phased array element spacing at 28 GHz for 5G base station architectures. 

Qorvo’s new GaN FEM enables smaller, more powerful and efficient millimeter-wave, phased array systems, which will steer signals to areas of greater bandwidth demand. Using Qorvo’s highly efficient 0.15-micron GaN-on-SiC technology in this application allows the user to more efficiently achieve higher EIRP levels while minimizing array size and power dissipation, resulting in a lower cost system.

James Klein, president, Qorvo Infrastructure and Defense Products, said, “Qorvo is making 5G a reality by leveraging our long history of millimeter-wave technology. Thirty years of solving the power, size and efficiency challenges of integrated circuits for the point to point, satellite communications and defense industries are now shaping Qorvo’s 5G innovations. Our GaN technology is used in dozens of 5G field trials, and this new module will enable further reductions in size and power consumption, which are essential for the very small arrays critical to mmW frequencies.”

Engineering samples of the QPF4001 FEM are available now to qualified customers.

Telecom equipment manufacturers are realizing significant improvements in efficiency and operational bandwidth with Qorvo’s GaN-on-SiC products, which deliver high power density, reduced size, excellent gain, high reliability, process maturity, and volume production dating back to 2000. The QPF4001 complements Qorvo’s portfolio of innovative 5G products, including the 39 GHz FEMs for 5G, announced in June 2017. Qorvo’s popular e-book, 5G For Dummies, is available here.

About Qorvo
Qorvo (Nasdaq:QRVO) makes a better world possible by providing innovative Radio Frequency (RF) solutions at the center of connectivity. We combine product and technology leadership, systems-level expertise and global manufacturing scale to quickly solve our customers’ most complex technical challenges. Qorvo serves diverse high-growth segments of large global markets, including advanced wireless devices, wired and wireless networks and defense radar and communications.  We also leverage unique competitive strengths to advance 5G networks, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and other emerging applications that expand the global framework interconnecting people, places and things. Visit www.qorvo.com to learn how Qorvo connects the world.

¹ “5G for FWA (Fixed Wireless Access): 2017 – 2030 – Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts,” SNS Telecom & IT, August 2017

Qorvo is a registered trademark of Qorvo, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries.

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently.  You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management’s current judgment and expectations, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.  We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as is required under the federal securities laws.  Qorvo’s business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including variability in operating results, the inability of certain of our customers or suppliers to access their traditional sources of credit, our industry’s rapidly changing technology, our dependence on a few large customers for a substantial portion of our revenue, a loss of revenue if contracts with the U.S. government or defense and aerospace contractors are canceled or delayed, our ability to implement innovative technologies, our ability to bring new products to market and achieve design wins, the efficient and successful operation of our wafer fabrication facilities, assembly facilities and test and tape and reel facilities, our ability to adjust production capacity in a timely fashion in response to changes in demand for our products, variability in manufacturing yields, industry overcapacity and current macroeconomic conditions, inaccurate product forecasts and corresponding inventory and manufacturing costs, dependence on third parties and our ability to manage platform providers and customer relationships, our dependence on international sales and operations, our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and develop leaders, the possibility that future acquisitions may dilute our shareholders’ ownership and cause us to incur debt and assume contingent liabilities, fluctuations in the price of our common stock, additional claims of infringement on our intellectual property portfolio, lawsuits and claims relating to our products, security breaches and other similar disruptions compromising our information and exposing us to liability, and the impact of stringent environmental regulations. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail in Qorvo’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other reports and statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements.