GaAs IC receivers for wireless communications: what makes them so good?

The technical feasibility of GaAs monolithic circuits for wireless communication application has been long proven in theory and practice. Still, the commercial success of the GaAs monolithic parts is not always guaranteed. In a paper published recently (Huang, 1994), an explanation was offered which attributes the reluctance of the large manufacturers to replace existing designs with monolithic designs. The cause according to the author is that competing designs based on discrete components are as inexpensive and available as monolithic solutions. This in fact is probably the single most important obstacle to a widespread commercial success of GaAs monolithic receivers for consumer wireless applications so far. In this paper we will present new receivers that solve the problem mentioned above in an innovative and economical way. The unique feature of these receivers is the added value they bring to the manufacturer in their increased functionality and ease of use. The receiver IC´s are fabricated using GaAs technology which offers considerable advantages over other competing technologies. We will demonstrate these advantages through the use of specific examples