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Antenna Tuning Switch Selection for 5G Systems

Created: September 25, 2019
Updated: October 10, 2024

II 15 wide

With the upcoming rollout of 5G, smartphones will be using more frequency bands, modes, and features than ever. This means new smartphones will need to have arrays of at least four antennas, while some will have more than eight in an array. On top of that, hardware developers are facing challenges to pack everything into smartphone form factors.

This is why it has never been this challenging to come up with suitable radio frequency front-end (RFFE) solutions for these devices. Newer transmitters and antennas will use carrier aggregation to provide higher data rates, as well as take advantage of Wi-Fi MIMO, and 4x4 MIMO. This is where antenna tuning comes into play. This feature can increase the frequency range, which means that the performance will be improved. Thanks to these switches, antennas can use frequencies from 600 Mhz to 6 GHz, which covers both 5G and LTE bands.

Aperture Tuning vs. Impedance Tuning

If an antenna is not perfectly tuned to a desired frequency, it will be less efficient. By increasing the efficiency of an antenna, you boost its sensitivity and thus its usable range, which reduces power consumption in the handset. There are two approaches you can use for antenna tuning:

  • Aperture tuning: this approach can boost isotropic sensitivity and radiated power by optimizing efficiency for receiving and transmitting communications at specific frequencies. In essence, this tunes the resonance frequencies of the antenna to desired values by adjusting the equivalent capacitance and/or inductance in the antenna.

  • Impedance tuning: the idea is to boost power transfer between the antenna and RFFE. Impedance tuning is normally used with frequency-division duplexing (FDD) to broaden the bandwidth of an antenna within a particular range so that it can receive/transmit with uniform insertion/return in a specific frequency band. Adjusting the impedance spectrum (thus the name “impedance tuning”) will boost the isotropic sensitivity and radiated power, as well as decrease the mismatch loss. This approach can help to neutralize environmental factors, such as the user holding their smartphone.

The Vital Role of Advanced Antenna Systems in 5G Networks

5G Americas released a white paper that focuses on exploring the latest technology trends and potential enhancements in advanced antenna systems for 5G. Average data rates should be around 100+ Mbps, and peak rates can go to a whopping 20 Gbps. According to the white paper, the expected boost in network efficiency and traffic capacity is 100x, while network latency should be decreased by a factor of 10 compared to 4G.

Advanced antenna systems will play an integral role in the development and deployment of 5G networks. Beamforming, switching, and management will boost capacity and coverage. Massive MIMO is capable of increasing capacity while keeping the same antenna elements. The 5G Americas whitepaper also discusses the eventual transition to higher frequencies using built-in radio arrays with over 100 antenna and transceiver elements. The initial rollout will utilize up to 6 GHz, covering the existing LTE spectrum while newer technologies are developed. Here are some antenna tuning solutions that can support devices intended for the initial 5G rollout:

Qualcomm QTM525 5G mmWave Antenna Module

Qualcomm is a reputable company known for innovative products in the world of technology and communication. They recently announced a new RFFE (RF front-end) product package intended for 5G mobile devices. Their extensive solution is intended to work together with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 5G modem. The new system should benefit both mobile operators and customers. Operators will appreciate enhanced network coverage and capacity, while users will look forward to smartphones with impressive data speeds, call quality, and reliability.

Qualcomm’s RFFE for an antenna tuning switchQualcomm's new QTM525 5G mmWave antenna module and Snapdragon X55 5G modem. Source: ARSTechnica.

Qualcomm’s solution will deliver PA modules that work with Qualcomm’s QET6100 envelope tracking system. The solution will also include QPM5670 PA high/mid-band module with a built-in LNA, filters, switch, and 5G hexaplexer, as well as a low-band module with features like dual connectivity.

Skyworks SKY19256-701LF

Skyworks has designed numerous antenna switch solutions over the years, including the SKY19256-701LF. The SKY19247-686LF is a comparable tuning switch that is operable up to 2.7 GHz. This particular product is an aperture tuning switch. The extensive bandwidth coverage ranges from 600 MHz to 6 GHz, making it useful for numerous mobile platforms working within those frequencies. This antenna tuning switch includes an array of 4 single-pole, single-throw switches that can serve applications with extremely low on-state resistance (1.1 Ohm) and off-state capacitance (0.145 pF).

Functional diagram of the SKY5−9256-701LF antenna tuning switch.A functional diagram of the SKY5−9256-701LF advanced aperture antenna tuning switch. From the SKY19256-701LF datasheet.

Infineon BGSA13GN10

Infineon is another well-known company that is developing a comprehensive set of solutions to support 5G rollouts. The BGSA13GN10 single-pull, triple-throw aperture antenna tuning switch supports 500 MHz to 5 GHz frequencies with up to 48 V RF output voltage (39 dBm power delivery). This puts the product on par with other antenna tuning switches designed to support the initial 5G rollout.

Functional diagram of the BGSA13GN10 antenna tuning switch.A functional diagram of the BGSA13GN10 aperture antenna tuning switch. From the BGSA13GN10 datasheet.

Telecommunications is evolving quickly, and mobile product designers need all the right technology to ensure new devices will keep up with the transition to 5G. You can find any of the antenna tuning switches outlined here and many other RFFE components on Octopart.

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