Imec宣布用於5G的世界级低功耗IP模块诞生

今天，在新加坡的Imec東南亞科技論壇上，世界領先的納米電子和數字技術研究與創新中心imec將展示兩款具有創紀錄低功耗的關鍵構建模塊，用於將來的5G應用。第一款是逐次逼近型模數轉換器（SAR ADC），它運算速度快，體積非常緊湊，專為在6GHz以下頻段（4G / 5G）上運行的消費電子產品而設計，例如手機。第二款是具有射頻（RF）相移和片上收發切功能的60GHz前端模塊，針對5G固定無線接入和小蜂窩回傳應用而開發感興趣的公司可通過加入imec的產業聯盟計劃或獲得知識產權許可，獲取這兩款構建模塊。

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.