Integration trends with RF silicon technologies in mobile radio applications

The aim of this paper is to outline the likely future trends in the integration of RF circuits within portable radio applications utilising silicon technology. This is achieved firstly by examining the historical evolution of RF IC products with a particular emphasis on how a component oriented focus has become system oriented, which in turn is causing semiconductor manufacturers to re-think how existing and future technologies may be applied in more effective ways. In particular as semiconductor companies take control of the development of a greater part of the overall radio, new architectures and techniques are evolving and technologies are being applied in radically new ways.