company blog about Qorvo AWMF-0224 Dual Channel IF Transceiver With Integrated PLL/VCO LO Synthesizer

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd. supplies and recycles the Qorvo AWMF-0224 dual-channel intermediate frequency transceiver with an integrated PLL/VCO local oscillator synthesiser.

I. AWMF-0224 Product Overview

The AWMF-0224 is the industry’s first highly integrated, dual-channel intermediate frequency transceiver chip in a single package, launched by Qorvo (formerly Anokiwave). It features a complete integrated PLL/VCO local oscillator synthesiser and is designed for the 24.25–29.5 GHz millimetre-wave band, compatible with the mainstream 3GPP n257, n258, n261 mainstream 5G millimetre-wave bands.

The device features a half-duplex architecture, enabling 2T2R dual-channel transmission and reception on a single chip, suitable for dual-polarisation phased array systems. It integrates transmit single-sideband up-conversion, receive image-rejection down-conversion, on-chip local oscillator synthesis, selectable frequency-doubling links and drive power amplifiers, significantly reducing the number of external discrete components in the millimetre-wave RF front-end, simplifying phased array hardware design and shortening the development cycle.

II. Key Features of the AWMF-0224 Core Architecture

Integrated On-Chip LO System (PLL + VCO)

The built-in phase-locked loop (PLL) and voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) form a complete local oscillator synthesis chain, supporting on-chip selectable frequency multiplication modes; it is also compatible with both internal LO operation and an external reference PLL. The LO multiplexing design eliminates the need for additional external RF switches in MIMO systems, simplifying array cabling. Compared to generic discrete solutions, it offers superior LO phase noise, improving system EVM, receive sensitivity and adjacent-channel rejection.

Dual-channel complete transmit/receive frequency conversion chain

Transmit channel: Dual single-sideband upconverters for millimetre-wave upconversion of IF signals, with an integrated drive PA eliminating the need for an external drive amplifier;

Receive channel: Dual image-suppressed downconverters to suppress image interference and reduce the load on external filters;

Supports high-intermediate frequency (HI-IF) architectures, is compatible with mainstream digital baseband and intermediate frequency interfaces, and supports single-ended/differential reference clock inputs.

Half-duplex TDD rapid switching

Supports 5G millimetre-wave TDD (Time Division Duplex) operating mode; the transmission and reception channel switching speed meets communication slot timing requirements, making it suitable for small cell and CPE dynamic beamforming scenarios.

III. Key Electrical Characteristics of the AWMF-0224

Operating frequency band: 24.25 GHz to 29.5 GHz

Channel Configuration: Dual-channel 2T2R; single-chip support for dual-polarisation antennas

Function Integration: Dual-transmit single-sideband up-conversion + dual-receive image-rejection down-conversion + integrated PLL/VCO LO synthesiser + on-chip frequency multiplier + transmit driver amplifier

LO Characteristics: Selectable multiplication configuration, multi-LO multiplexing, superior phase noise performance

Package Type: FC-CSP (Flip-Chip Small Package), compact footprint, suitable for large-scale phased array deployment

Standard Compliance: 3GPP n257 / n258 / n261 5G millimetre-wave bands

IV. Advantages of the AWMF-0224 Solution

1. High integration, reducing BOM costs

The frequency conversion chain, local oscillator and drive amplifier are integrated onto a single chip, eliminating the need for discrete components such as VCOs, PLLs, RF switches and driver transistors, thereby reducing the number of PCB layers and material procurement costs.

2. Simplified millimetre-wave phased array system architecture

Can be used in conjunction with 4×2 beamforming chips such as the Qorvo AWMF-0221 to form a complete intermediate frequency transceiver + beamforming millimetre-wave active antenna link, enabling rapid deployment of phased array platforms.

3. Suitable for Miniaturised Arrays

The FC-CSP package facilitates high-density mounting, making it suitable for large-scale, multi-channel antenna arrays and meeting the space constraints of 5G small cells and compact CPE devices.

4. Flexible System Expansion

With a choice of dual modes—internal LO or external reference clock—the device can operate independently as a single chip or support synchronisation via a shared reference clock across multiple chips in an array, meeting the synchronisation requirements of large-scale active phased arrays.

V. Typical Application Scenarios for the AWMF-0224

5G millimetre-wave active phased array small cells

5G millimetre-wave customer premises equipment (mmWave CPE)

Dual-polarisation 2T2R millimetre-wave communication arrays

Broadband wireless access systems

Millimetre-wave test and measurement RF front-ends

Point-to-point millimetre-wave line-of-sight communication equipment

VI. Summary of the AWMF-0224

As an intermediate frequency (IF) main transceiver frequency conversion unit, the AWMF-0224 outputs millimetre-wave IF signals to interface with beamforming ICs; the baseband output IF signals are connected to the chip’s IF port, where an on-chip integrated PLL/VCO generates a stable RF local oscillator to perform up-conversion and down-conversion. In multi-chip array applications, an external reference clock can be standardised to achieve phase synchronisation across multiple RF channels.