Le blog de l'entreprise Qorvo AWMF-0144 Single Polarization Quad Beamformer For 5G Phased Array Application

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd. supplies and recycles the Qorvo AWMF-0144 single-polarisation four-channel beamformer, suitable for 5G phased array applications.

I. AWMF-0144 Product Overview

The AWMF-0144 is a 37.1–40 GHz single-polarisation, 4-channel transmit beamformer chip (4×1 Tx Beamformer) launched by Qorvo. It has been specifically developed for active phased array antennas in the 5G millimetre-wave n260 band and forms part of the first-generation commercial millimetre-wave beamforming platform. The device employs a highly integrated silicon-based quad-core architecture, with a single chip driving four antenna radiating elements. It utilises analogue RF beam control to achieve high-speed electronic beam scanning, significantly simplifying the hardware design of millimetre-wave active arrays. It is widely used in millimetre-wave phased array systems for 5G macro base stations, small cells and CPE terminals.

The AWMF-0144 utilises a WLCSP (wafer-level chip-scale package) and supports flip-chip mounting, meeting the compact layout requirements of planar phased array antennas. It is the mainstream RF front-end core component for 3GPP n260 band 5G millimetre-wave communication arrays.

II. Key Features of the AWMF-0144

Operating Frequency Band: 37.1 GHz to 40 GHz, perfectly matched to the 3GPP 5G n260 millimetre-wave band

Channel Architecture: Four single-polarisation transmit channels, with a single chip driving four antenna radiating elements

Beam Control Capabilities: 5-bit phase adjustment + 5-bit independent digital gain control, enabling high-precision beamforming and directional control

RF Performance: Typical output power of +12 dBm, with built-in channel gain equalisation circuitry

Intelligent On-Chip Functions

Built-in temperature gain compensation to suppress millimetre-wave channel gain drift across a wide temperature range

Integrated chip temperature monitoring and transmit power telemetry functions for convenient array system status monitoring

On-chip beam weighting registers supporting rapid beam switching to meet beam tracking requirements in mobile scenarios

Power Supply Configuration: Dual power supply +1.8 V / +2.5 V

Reliability Design: ESD protection integrated on all I/O pins, enhancing stability during mass production assembly and in-the-field operation

Package Type: WLCSP (Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Package), dimensions 3.70 mm × 3.70 mm, supporting flip-chip technology to reduce antenna board routing space

System Expansion: A multi-chip cascading solution enables the construction of large-scale active phased array antennas with 64 or 128 elements

III. Analysis of the Technical Advantages of the AWMF-0144

1. High Integration Reduces Array BOM Costs

Phasers, variable gain amplifiers (VGAs), digital control interfaces and telemetry circuits are integrated onto a single chip. Whereas traditional solutions require discrete phasers and VGA combinations, the AWMF-0144 achieves four-channel integration, reducing the number of components, shortening millimetre-wave RF trace lengths and minimising high-frequency transmission losses.

2. Single-polarisation architecture optimises 5G millimetre-wave base station design

The device is designed for single-polarisation transmit arrays, suitable for scenarios involving independent deployment of vertical or horizontal polarisation. For outdoor 5G millimetre-wave small cells and point-to-point millimetre-wave backhaul links, it eliminates the need for dual-polarisation redundancy circuits, achieving an optimal balance between form factor, power consumption and cost.

3. Rapid Beam Steering Adapted to Mobile Broadband Scenarios

Leveraging built-in beam configuration registers, the array controller can pre-store multiple sets of beam parameters, enabling extremely low beam-switching latency. This meets the continuous beam-tracking requirements of high-speed 5G millimetre-wave mobile terminals, thereby reducing the probability of communication disconnections.

4. Suitable for lightweight planar antennas

The WLCSP flip-chip solution can be directly mounted on the rear of the antenna dielectric substrate, shortening the transmission path from the chip to the antenna element and significantly reducing Ka-band millimetre-wave feedline loss, making it ideal for the development of ultra-thin, integrated phased-array antennas.

IV. AWMF-0144 Target Application Scenarios

5G millimetre-wave phased array systems (n260 band)

Active transmit antennas for 5G millimetre-wave outdoor small cells and micro-base stations

Phased array transmit front-ends for 5G millimetre-wave user terminal (CPE) devices

Millimetre-wave wireless point-to-point backhaul communication equipment

Phased array transmit arrays for millimetre-wave test and measurement

Short-range, high-speed, wireless broadband active scanning antennas