Akoustis Introduces Advanced RF Filter

Akoustis Technologies (NASDAQ:AKTS), a manufacturer of patented single -crystal bulk acoustic wave (BAW) high-band RF filters for mobile and other wireless applications introduced the AKF-1652, a new 5.2 Ghz BAW RF filter aimed at the billion BAW filter market for future 4G LTE and 5G mobile devices.

As quoted in the press release:

The AKF-1652 is the first 5 GHz BAW RF co-existence WiFi filter available for mobile devices. The filter offers lower insertion loss and a significantly smaller footprint than existing non-BAW co-existence filter technologies that operate at 5.2 GHz.

Dave Aichele, VP of Business Development at Akoustis, said, “We believe the AKF-1652 addresses an enormous potential market for BAW RF filter solutions for mobile device WiFi applications.” Mr. Aichele continued, “Unlike tri-band CPE (customer premise equipment) WiFi routers, currently all mobile devices are limited to either single or dual-band WiFi as no 5 GHz co-existence filters exist. As more access points, set-top boxes and other WiFi CPE upgrade to tri-band technology, mobile OEM’s are beginning to look for ways to incorporate the higher speeds available into mobile devices. The AKF-1652 offers the first BAW RF filter solution for 5 GHz co-existence in a mobile device today.”

Advanced WiFi CPE architectures including 802.11ac 2X2, 4X4 and 8X8 Multi-user Multiple In/Multiple Out (MU-MIMO) are experiencing faster uptake, driving the demand for smaller components as the complexity within WiFi infrastructure devices is increasing exponentially, as experienced in 4G mobile over the past several years. This trend is expected to continue, especially as 802.11ax is finalized and implemented in next generation tri-band CPE.

The AKF-1652 is a high performance, ultra-small passband 5.2 GHz BAW RF filter designed for use in tri-band WiFi mobile applications. The filters are produced using Akoustis’ new proprietary XB1 single-crystal BAW manufacturing process, which delivers high-performance RF filter solutions for frequencies in the sub 6 GHz range. The AKF-1652 provides low insertion loss covering U-NII-1 and U-NII-2A bands and meets the stringent rejection requirements enabling coexistence with U-NII-2C and U-NII-3 bands. The high-power rating satisfies the demanding requirements of the latest WiFi standards including 802.11ac. The filter solution incorporates standard commercial module packaging and is compatible with high-volume, lead-free SMT soldering processes.

Filter Features:

• High frequency operation at 5.2 GHz
• Wide bandwidth covering both U-NII-1 and U-NII-2A
• Low insertion loss (~1.5dB) in both U-NII-1 and U-NII-2A passband
• High power rating with +30dBm maximum
• High rejection with >45dB enabling coexistence with adjacent U-NII-2C + U-NII-3 bands
• Single-ended Ant, Tx/Rx ports
• Ultra-small form factor packaged module at 2mm x 2.5mm x 0.9mm
• Operating temperature ranges from -40C to +85C

“We are excited to announce our first commercial product that targets the large and growing billion-dollar mobile RF filter market,” stated Jeff Shealy, CEO of Akoustis. “The AKF-1652 delivers low insertion loss required for mobile devices along with high-rejection with a significantly smaller footprint compared to existing non-BAW co-existence filter technologies that operate above 5 GHz. This further demonstrates the capability of our patented single crystal materials technology and unique MEMs resonator process to produce high performance BAW RF filters covering sub 6 GHz spectrum for 4G LTE and emerging 5G applications.”

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