Guest Column
The Impact Of Smartphones On Discrete RF Components
This article is part of a series of quarterly guest columns by Rick Cory, Applications Engineering Manager, Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
Was it only 20 years ago when:
- Almost all RF components were single-function, discrete devices?
- Almost all packaged RF components were available in any package style you wanted, as long as expensive metal-ceramic packages were what you wanted?
- Highly integrated, inexpensive RF integrated circuits (RFICs) were a futuristic concept?
The state of technology in electronics has advanced at an ever-increasing pace, and the RF/microwave segment of this market is no exception. We deal with this technology every day, and many of those who may read this article are directly involved in and responsible for these rapid changes. We are so immersed in these advances that sometimes we "cannot see the wood for the trees" (apologies to the 16th century English playwright John Heywood). If we take a step back for a moment and consider how far our industry has come in such a short time, we are challenged to avoid the feeling that we have a great deal in common with Washington Irving's classic character Rip Van Winkle.
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