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Optichron(R) Second-Generation Digital Pre-Distortion Processor Provides Wide-Band, Class 1 Performance for Multi-Protocol BasestationsFREMONT, CA, Aug 10, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Optichron, Inc., the leader in digital nonlinear signal processing, today announced the OP6180 family, the second generation of the company's single-chip digital pre-distortion (DPD) ICs that eliminate power amplifier (PA) distortion to improve efficiency and signal quality of wireless infrastructure equipment. With increased DPD performance and the integration of a proven crest factor reduction (CFR) engine, the OP6180 devices are the first commercial solutions to meet the demanding 3GPP multi-carrier GSM (MC-GSM) Class 1 specifications. Providing wideband distortion elimination and increased PA efficiency, the new OP6180 devices enable cost-effective multi-standard basestation upgrades to support 2G, 3G and 4G traffic simultaneously. Achievable levels of ACPR improvement are on the order of 30dB when operating a Doherty class PA processing CDMA, WCDMA, WiMAX or LTE signals and operating the PA at efficiency levels in excess of 40%. In a MC-GSM environment using a similar Doherty class PA, designers can expect an ACPR performance improvement of greater than 40dB. Using Optichron's proprietary nonlinear processing technology, the devices are universal and able to process any protocol or mix of protocols. This enables flexible, future-proof platforms that can adapt dynamically to meet the changing mix of network traffic as operators migrate from 2G to 3G and 4G protocols. Higher efficiency reduces overall equipment cost through the use of smaller, less expensive PA components, and cuts operating expenses by lowering the total power consumption of the basestation. The OP6180 family offers IMD suppression of more than -70dBc, with the first two products offering signal bandwidths for MC-GSM of 20MHz and 30MHz, respectively, and with bandwidths up to 50MHz available for 3G and 4G applications. Target applications include GSM/EDGE, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, WiMAX, 3G LTE, WiBro, CDMA2000, and point-to-point communications. "With the still-growing demand for cost-effective 2G GSM services, wireless infrastructure OEMS and carriers feel great pressure to expand capacity within a crowded spectrum. At the same time, they face a dynamic market evolution and need to ensure a smooth transition to 3G and 4G capabilities," said Roy Batruni, CTO of Optichron. "The OP6180 family offers 8-carrier Class 1 GSM performance in 30MHz of contiguous signal bandwidth, providing designers a high-performance universal platform to upgrade existing designs or advance into new markets with the ability to implement 2G, 3G and 4G services in the same basestation." The OP6180 family does not require an external processor or support circuitry, allowing simpler, less costly system designs. The devices require no algorithmic programming and support multiple PA configurations (including class AB and Doherty) and any modulation scheme or signal chain architecture. In the field, such flexibility enables remote upgrades, dramatically reducing the cost of upgrading an entire basestation and bypassing the complexities of local installations or site permits. Tools Optichron provides a development platform, reference design and USB debug adapter, which handle spectral frequencies from 700MHz to 3.7GHz and support system development for standard wireless protocols. A common GUI drives the development platform and USB debug adapter for ease of system evaluation, development, implementation, manufacturing and QA. OP6180 Packaging, Availability and Pricing The OP6180 family includes two devices: -- OP6180-1 with 20MHz of 2G and 35MHz of 3G/4G signal bandwidth -- OP6180-2 with 30MHz of 2G and 50MHz of 3G/4G signal bandwidth -- 27mm x 27mm PBGA package -- Operation over the full industrial temperature range of -40 degrees to 85 degrees C Engineering samples are now available with production scheduled for the first quarter of 2010. Pricing is available upon request; contact [email protected]. About Optichron Optichron, Inc., the leader in digital nonlinear signal processing technology, designs and manufactures high-volume integrated circuits that enable significant improvements in system-level cost and performance for communications applications. Optichron(R) proprietary linearization technology is the industry's most efficient solution for correcting nonlinear distortion, a problem present in all signal processing systems. Signal linearization gives system designers more headroom to implement faster, more efficient systems that cost less to build and operate. For more information and product details please visit www.optichron.com. OPTICHRON(R) and Hexagon Design(TM) are all trademarks of Optichron, Inc. Any product name of another company mentioned is the property or trademark of its respective owner. Media Contact: Jeff Muscatine Prospero Consulting Group Tel: +1 650-969-6950 Email Contact SOURCE: Optichron, Inc. http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=B9CCF314505505DC |