Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd. supplies and recycles the Qorvo AWMF-0236 highly integrated dual-polarisation silicon RF beamformer.
As Qorvo’s fourth-generation silicon-based RF beamforming chip, the AWMF-0236 is a highly integrated, dual-polarisation, four-channel beamformer specifically designed for the 5G FR2 millimetre-wave band. Leveraging a mature CMOS process architecture, it achieves the integrated consolidation of the RF link, beam control and gain calibration, perfectly meeting the requirements of the new generation of lightweight, high-efficiency, and scalable millimetre-wave communication equipment, making it the preferred core component for 5G millimetre-wave array systems.
I. Core Positioning and Basic Specifications of the AWMF-0236
The AWMF-0236 is a 4×2 dual-polarisation RF beamforming IC developed by Qorvo using advanced silicon processes. It belongs to the brand-new fourth-generation beamforming chip product family, targeting the ultra-wide 37 GHz–43.5 GHz millimetre-wave operating band. It precisely aligns with the mainstream 5G millimetre-wave bands defined by 3GPP—namely n259 and n260—whilst also being compatible with extended bands such as n257, n258 and n261, providing comprehensive coverage of the mainstream spectrum resources for commercial 5G millimetre-wave communications.
The chip operates in a half-duplex transmit/receive mode and supports a single-aperture antenna transmit/receive multiplexing architecture. A single chip can realise either a 4-channel dual-polarisation or an 8-channel single-polarisation antenna configuration, significantly simplifying the hardware architecture design of millimetre-wave phased arrays. Compared with traditional gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN) beamforming devices, the silicon-based process endows the chip with the core advantages of high integration, low mass-production costs and lightweight design. It can be directly embedded within the grid of active antenna radiating elements, making it suitable for miniaturised, high-density antenna array layouts, and serves as a core RF component for commercial 5G millimetre-wave base stations and terminal communication equipment.
II. Core Integration Features and Technical Highlights of the AWMF-0236
1. Ultra-high integration architecture, simplifying hardware design
The AWMF-0236 breaks away from the design paradigm of traditional beamforming solutions, which rely on the stacking of discrete components, by integrating four RF beam control channels, a phase control module, a gain adjustment unit, a signal transceiver chain and a telemetry reporting circuit entirely within a single chip. Without the need for additional external phase adjusters, gain amplifiers or calibration circuits, a single chip can complete the entire process of millimetre-wave signal beamforming, directional control and signal optimisation, significantly reducing the number of RF front-end components, effectively minimising the PCB footprint of the equipment, and lowering the complexity of hardware routing and the overall failure rate of the device. Furthermore, the chip utilises a new FC-CSP compact package, which further reduces the device’s footprint to meet the design requirements of lightweight terminals and micro-base stations.
2. Independent Dual-Polarisation Control, Excellent Beam Performance
The AWMF-0236 is equipped with independent dual-polarisation beam control capabilities, supporting separate phase and gain control for horizontally and vertically polarised signals. It enables precise beam steering adjustments for millimetre-wave signals of different polarisation directions, effectively enhancing signal interference resistance and spatial multiplexing efficiency. Leveraging rapid beam scanning technology, the device achieves millisecond-level beam switching and tracking, precisely matching the characteristics of high-speed mobility and frequent handover scenarios in millimetre-wave communications, thereby ensuring the stability of high-speed communication links. Its beam control accuracy fully complies with 3GPP standardisation requirements and is compatible with all types of compliant 5G millimetre-wave signal waveforms.
3. Proprietary zero-calibration technology reduces operational and maintenance costs
The AWMF-0236 is equipped with Qorvo’s exclusive ZERO-CAL® zero-calibration patented technology, which completely eliminates the cumbersome processes of factory calibration and periodic recalibration associated with traditional phased array equipment. The chip maintains stable phase and gain consistency without the need for manual array calibration after leaving the factory, significantly simplifying mass production processes and improving production yield. At the same time, it reduces the labour and time costs associated with subsequent operation and maintenance, greatly enhancing the capacity for large-scale mass production of millimetre-wave array equipment.
4. High Energy Efficiency and Low Power Consumption, Meeting Low-Carbon Requirements
As a fourth-generation upgraded product, the AWMF-0236 chip optimises the RF power amplification and circuit power consumption architecture, achieving industry-leading linear RF power output and DC power efficiency. Whilst ensuring high linearity and high signal bandwidth, it significantly reduces both quiescent and active power consumption, enabling terminal and base station equipment to operate with a low carbon footprint and aligning with equipment manufacturers’ research and development goals for net-zero emissions. Furthermore, its excellent linear power characteristics support high-order modulation schemes and ultra-wideband signal transmission, with a maximum instantaneous bandwidth of up to 1.4 GHz, fully unleashing the communication advantages of 5G millimetre-wave technology, namely ultra-high speeds and low latency.
III. AWMF-0236 Compatibility and Supporting Solutions
The AWMF-0236 offers exceptional system compatibility; it not only supports 5G NR standard communication waveforms but is also compatible with high-speed wireless local area network waveforms such as 802.11ac and 802.11ax, enabling cross-scenario adaptation for both millimetre-wave mobile communications and high-speed wireless access equipment. In terms of system integration, this chip integrates seamlessly with Qorvo’s AWMF-0218 intermediate frequency (IF) up/down converter and the AWMF-0196 dual-channel IF transceiver, forming a complete ‘IF–millimetre-wave’ end-to-end RF solution. This enables the construction of a standardised, highly compatible 5G millimetre-wave signal chain system, helping manufacturers rapidly complete the development of complete device solutions and shorten time-to-market.
Furthermore, the AWMF-0236 supports scalable array design; antenna arrays built using this device can achieve an effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) adjustment range of over 30 dB. Manufacturers can flexibly scale the array size according to equipment power requirements, balancing the low-power demands of compact devices with the high-power coverage needs of macro base stations.
IV. Core Application Scenarios for the AWMF-0236
1. 5G Millimetre-Wave Base Station Equipment
Compatible with various 3GPP-compliant 5G millimetre-wave macro, micro and pico base stations. Leveraging its high integration, low power consumption and calibration-free advantages, it addresses the pain points of traditional millimetre-wave base stations—such as large size, high power consumption and complex commissioning—thereby enhancing deployment flexibility and supporting scenarios such as high-density urban networking and precise indoor coverage.
2. High-Speed Millimetre-Wave Terminal Equipment
Suitable for use in 5G CPEs, millimetre-wave gateways, high-speed industrial IoT terminals and similar devices. Thanks to its compact form factor and low power consumption, it enables lightweight terminal designs without compromising communication speeds or signal stability, meeting the requirements of applications such as high-speed industrial data transmission and ultra-broadband home access.
3. Dedicated Millimetre-Wave Communication Systems
With excellent interference resistance and broadband adaptability, these solutions are suitable for dedicated private networks, short-range high-speed data transmission and industrial wireless interconnection. Leveraging dual-polarisation beamforming technology, they enhance communication reliability in complex electromagnetic environments.
V. Summary of the AWMF-0236’s Comprehensive Advantages
The Qorvo AWMF-0236, with its five core advantages—highly integrated silicon-based architecture, precise dual-polarisation control, calibration-free operation and maintenance, ultra-low power consumption, and wide-band compatibility—completely resolves the industry pain points associated with traditional millimetre-wave beamforming solutions. Compared with competing devices, it achieves higher radiation efficiency and communication bandwidth for the same array size, whilst significantly reducing overall equipment costs and power consumption, thereby balancing performance, cost, energy efficiency and mass-production feasibility. As a fourth-generation innovative beamforming chip, the AWMF-0236 provides core hardware support for the large-scale commercial deployment of 5G millimetre-wave technology, the widespread adoption of lightweight equipment, and the development of low-carbon RF systems; it is a highly competitive, benchmark-setting product in the current millimetre-wave RF front-end sector.
VI. Beamformer Product Series
AWMF-0247
AWMF-0108
AWMF-0109
AWMF-0144
AWMF-0145
AWMF-0156
AWMF-0158
AWMF-0164
AWMF-0165
AWMF-0236
AWMF-0200
AWMF-0240
AWMF-0241
AWMF-0221
AWMF-0224
AWMF-0146
AWMF-0147
AWMF-0197
AWMF-0198
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