Tegal 2008 AlN Workshop - SiP/SoC Integration of RF SAW/BAW Filters

Radio frequency (RF) filters employing surface or bulk acoustic waves (SAW/BAW) have been mass produced and widely used in modern mobile communication equipment. Nowadays various analog functions are going to be merged into the baseband chip, and current concern is how to integrate remaining one, namely the RF front-end. This is not a simple task because major RF functional devices are based on non-Si technologies, and the RF section becomes complex rapidly for supporting multi-band and multi-mode operation.  This lecture discusses research trends of the RF SAW/BAW filters, focusing on their possible integration into RF ICs.  First, modern SAW/BAW technologies are introduced, and it is shown how high performances are achievable by the use of current state-of-the-art technologies.  Secondly, current front-end modules are surveyed, and then it is discussed how they are going to be integrated with active elements.  Finally, System-in-Package (SiP) and System-on-Chip (SoC) technologies are discussed as a possible solution for the full integration of the RF front end including SAW/BAW devices into RF ICs.