SBAA650 August 2024 AFE7728D , AFE7768D , AFE7769D
In an era with increasing demand for high-speed internet connectivity in both residential and commercial applications, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) emerges as a compelling alternative to traditional, wired broadband solutions. FWA leverages wireless technology to provide cost-effective internet solutions to fixed locations, such as homes, businesses, and remote areas. Common frequency bands associated with FWA include 2.4GHz and 5GHz, which are used worldwide. Major telecommunication companies invest heavily in FWA to improve coverage across diverse regions, diving into opportunities to serve both densely populated and remote locations.
As highlighted in FWA is boosting RAN — Industry Voices: Pongratz, major telecommunication companies actively explore opportunities to improve broadband access in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). These efforts are particularly noticeable in Saudi Arabia, where FWA is projected to reach 23 million subscribers by 2027, covering 75% of the population. On a global scale, Radio Access Network (RAN) analysts predict that the number of FWA users will grow from 60 million to 200 million by 2025, underscoring the increasing demand for wireless solutions and, consequently, reliable internet connectivity.
The potential of FWA to bridge connectivity gaps is significant - according to reports by FWA is boosting RAN — Industry Voices: Pongratz, approximately 40% of the two billion households worldwide still lack a broadband connection. In the U.S., a major mobile company highlights that 50% to 60% of households are in areas with limited broadband options, positioning FWA as a viable solution to enhance connectivity. As the market evolves, continued investment and innovation in FWA technology is essential to meet the growing demand for high-speed, reliable internet access to bridge the digital divide.
As FWA continues to grow, advanced RF transceiver technologies play a crucial role in addressing the challenges of signal integrity, range, and data rates. Texas Instruments has multiple devices for FWA, depending on the application scenarios. The first family of device is AFE77xxD. The AFE7769D has integrated Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD), which leads to savings in system cost and power.
The AFE77xxD RF transceiver is an acceptable solution for integration within FWA networks due to its advanced technical capabilities. Key features include:
RF frequency range: 600MHz to 6GHz, covers most common frequency bands for FWA.
Integrated Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD): Provides for efficient signal transmission by correcting nonlinearities in the power amplifier.
Integrated Crest Factor Reduction (CFR): Enhances Power Amplifier (PA) linearization, contributing to a cleaner signal output.
Multi-channel capability: Supports four transmit and four receive channels, allow for dual and triple-band flexibility within one transceiver, enabling complex multi-antenna systems.
Direct RF sampling: Simplifies the system calibration.
The AFE77xxD integrated DPD algorithm provides for a cleaner signal and reduces interference from out-of-band spectrum growth due to PA nonlinearity, extending the range and reliability of FWA connections. The quad-channel device simplifies the deployment of multi-antenna systems, which is critical for achieving broader coverage and higher transmission rates.
In addition, the low power consumption of the AFE77xxD is designed for remote or off-grid locations which can have limited power resources.
The AFE79xx family of devices is a viable solution, which is for regions looking to expand to use 6GHz+ radio frequency and 400MHz+ bandwidth. The AFE7952 RF transceiver from AFE79xx family supports up to 12GHz of frequency and 2.4GHz of instantaneous bandwidth.
The Texas Instruments AFE transceiver portfolio, including AFE77xxD, AFE79xx, and AFE7952, offer a comprehensive set of solutions tailored for the diverse requirements of FWA networks. From enhancing signal quality and reducing interference to supporting high-speed data rates and efficient power consumption, these transceivers are equipped to handle the evolving demands of modern wireless connectivity. By leveraging these advanced technologies, internet service providers deliver robust, reliable, and scalable FWA services to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet access in urban and remote areas.