NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver

Overview

The NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver is built to comply with the Release 13 standard from 3GPP. It can also operate in a Release-14-compliant mode.

Both the transmitter and the receiver offer performances that meets or exceeds the 3GPP specifications with comfortable margin.

The NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver operates in the cellular band consistent with LTE Advanced Release 13. It offers analog input and output for ease of testing on FPGA and with silicon baseband modules. It is extremely programmable with an easy SPI interface.

The receiver has internal calibration schemes for DC offset correction and provides the necessary control knobs for IQ mismatch correction

Specifications

Operating Frequency 699 MHz to 960 MHz/1695 MHz to 2200 MHz
Supported Bandwidth 200 kHz
NF < 3 dB
IIp3 > -17 dBm
Max Input Signal -10 dBm
Supported Interfaces SPI/SDIO, JTAG, UART, I2C, GPIO, I2S

The transceiver offers a low-power profile, including the radio, and can be upgraded to meet Release 14 using an external power amplifier that offers +23 dBm output power. Offers 15 dB margin to ACS GSM testing and 8 dB margin for ACS E-UTRA testing.

Easy Integration, Robust Design

Designed to interface with the baseband and MAC layers on a system-level chip. Comprehensive documentation and support make platform integration easy. Built to the highest standards using state-of-the-art RF design methods. Silicon-proven design by Palma Ceia customers worldwide.

Key Features

Receiver

  • Supported bandwidth = 200 kHz
  • NF < 3 dB
  • IIP3 > -17 dBm
  • Max Input signal = -10 dBm
  • Gain range >100 dB
  • TX Current consumption: 22 mA

Transmitter

  • Power range = 70 dB
  • Gain step =~ 0.5 dB
  • OP1dB = +10 dBm
  • Return loss < -8 dB
  • Minimal latency of 1 μs in the receiver
  • Max output transmit power of +10 dBm
  • RX Current consumption: 18.3 mA

Benefits

  • Easy link to commercial cellular networks
  • Low power design for maximizing batter life
  • Robust performance for the best response in the field
  • Built-n calibration for maximizing performance
  • Optimized for NB-IOT 3GPP Release 13 at 200kHz

Block Diagram

NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver Block Diagram

Applications

  • Consumer and Industrial IoT
  • M2M Communications
  • Low Power Wide Area Sensor Networks
  • Wearables
  • Automotive Vehicle to Infrastructure Communications

Deliverables

  • GDS
  • User Documentation
  • Test Bench

Technical Specifications

Foundry, Node
TSMC 40LP
Maturity
MPW Silicon
Availability
GDS Available Now
TSMC
Pre-Silicon: 40nm LP
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Semiconductor IP