Axiom

 
Technology Overview

Axiom’s technology innovation is the ability to implement high power RF components using conventional Silicon CMOS technology.  

The PA function has been difficult to migrate to CMOS for two primary reasons:

  • CMOS breakdown voltages are low — typically around 2 - 3V. A 2 Watt PA will need to deliver peak voltages approaching 20V.
  • The PA output must be matched to 50 Ohms. High-Q components are required to achieve this with acceptable efficiency. These components are not readily fabricated using conventional CMOS techniques.


Achieving GSM/GPRS power levels and performance specifications in CMOS required some very sophisticated innovations.  The result was a new class of amplifier and the now-famous DAT – Distributed Active Transformer.  The DAT solved many of the critical barriers to generating high power in Silicon CMOS.

This innovative technology, exclusively licensed to Axiom, was first demonstrated at Caltech (shown below) and serves as the foundation for Axiom’s existing and future products.  These products deliver on the value of Silicon CMOS by providing greater security of supply, better reliability, and lower cost.  

The initial DAT technology developed and proven at Caltech is shown below.  

DAT 1            DAT 2

Click on the embedded links to learn more about Axiom’s DAT architecture and Watt-level CMOS power amplifier technology.  There are many industry papers and presentations on this topic.