Dublin, Ireland â February 11, 2026 â Danalto, a pioneer in location intelligence software, today announced the successful integration of Danaltoâs Cardinal⢠Cloud Location Engine (CLE) with Qorvoâs latest Ultra-Wideband (UWB) System-on-Chip (SoC) and industrial and enterprise SDK.
This milestone brings enterprise customers one step closer to scalable, cloud-first UWB Real-Time Location System (RTLS) solutions capable of powering next-generation asset tracking, indoor navigation, and smart facility applications.
By combining Qorvoâs UWB performance with Danaltoâs cloud-native multi-technology positioning framework, developers and integrators can now evaluate and prototype high-accuracy location services with reduced integration complexity and enhanced scalability.
âThe Cardinal frameworkâs compatibility with Qorvoâs SDK and SoC opens exciting possibilities for UWB adoption in enterprise environments,â said Finbarr Coghlan, Chief Product Officer at Danalto. âItâs a strong foundation for future solutions that combine ease of deployment with precision performance.â
âWeâre enabling our ecosystem partners to innovate faster with proven UWB silicon and a robust software platform,â said Nicolas Layus, general manager of Integrated Systems at Qorvo. âOur proven UWB combination lays the groundwork for flexible RTLS architectures that can adapt to evolving enterprise needs.â
About Danalto
Danalto provides physical AI and cloud-based positioning intelligence that enables enterprise customers to deploy real-time location services using multiple positioning technologies. Learn more at www.danalto.com.
Across defense and aerospace programs, the expectations placed on RF power systems continue to intensify. Radar, SATCOM, electronic warfare (EW) and high-duty test environments demand various combinations of higher output power, wider bandwidth, improved linearity and increased operational reliabilityâoften within shrinking size, weight and power consumption (SWaP) constraints.
These pressures create a set of design challenges that legacy RF power architectures can no longer solve. As programs evolve and timelines compress, engineering teams must rethink how they generate and manage RF power at the system level. The challenges include:
Half the size, Built for the Mission
Qorvoâs newest SSPAs enable up to 50 percent smaller and one-third lighter system-level solutions compared to legacy traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), supporting mission continuity and long-term reliability in demanding RF environments.
QPR3238: 32-38âGHz Wideband GaN SSPA Module
To address these challenges, a next-generation RF power amplifier must provide a combination of efficiency, reliability, integration and long-term availability that aligns with modern program requirements.
Among the various solid-state approaches available today, Qorvoâs wideband GaN-based amplifier technologiesâincluding implementations that use spatial combining techniquesâprovide a practical illustration of how modern SSPA architectures can address the performance, reliability and integration needs described above. These solutions demonstrate how wideband GaN devices, efficient power combining and integrated control functions can be applied to meet system-level requirements across radar, SATCOM, EW and test environments.
Qorvoâs approach brings several characteristics that directly map to the needs of todayâs radar, SATCOM and EW systems:
These characteristics make Qorvo solutions suitable for replacing aging TWTAs, improving system reliability and meeting the performance and SWaP-C expectations of modern defense and aerospace programs.
Modern RF systems demand more than incremental improvementsâthey require amplifier architectures that are efficient, reliable, broadband and simple to integrate. As TWTAs face supply limitations and higher sustainment costs, solid-state technology provides a compelling path forward. Solutions that combine high power, broad bandwidth, integrated functionality and rugged reliability will define the next generation of radar, EW, SATCOM and test platforms.
Qorvoâs GaN-based amplifier solutions are engineered to meet these exact demands, providing a field-proven, scalable technology path for programs seeking to modernize their RF power infrastructure.
For more information, read our press release on Qorvo’s new Spatium SSPAs replacing legacy TWTAs. Qorvoâs newest SSPAs enable up to 50 percent smaller and one-third lighter system-level solutions compared to legacy traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), supporting mission continuity and long-term reliability in demanding RF environments.
To learn more about Qorvoâs trusted RF solutions for defense and aerospaceâincluding Spatium SSPAs and GaN-based front ends, visitâŻwww.qorvo.com/spatiumsspa.
Have another topic that you would like Qorvo experts to cover? Email your suggestions to the Qorvo Blog team and it could be featured in an upcoming post. Please include your contact information in the body of the email.
Across defense and aerospace programs, the expectations placed on RF power systems continue to intensify. Radar, SATCOM, electronic warfare (EW) and high-duty test environments demand various combinations of higher output power, wider bandwidth, improved linearity and increased operational reliabilityâoften within shrinking size, weight and power consumption (SWaP) constraints.
These pressures create a set of design challenges that legacy RF power architectures can no longer solve. As programs evolve and timelines compress, engineering teams must rethink how they generate and manage RF power at the system level. The challenges include:
To address these challenges, a next-generation RF power amplifier must provide a combination of efficiency, reliability, integration and long-term availability that aligns with modern program requirements.
Among the various solid-state approaches available today, Qorvoâs wideband GaN-based amplifier technologiesâincluding implementations that use spatial combining techniquesâprovide a practical illustration of how modern SSPA architectures can address the performance, reliability and integration needs described above. These solutions demonstrate how wideband GaN devices, efficient power combining and integrated control functions can be applied to meet system-level requirements across radar, SATCOM, EW and test environments.
Qorvoâs approach brings several characteristics that directly map to the needs of todayâs radar, SATCOM and EW systems:
These characteristics make Qorvo solutions suitable for replacing aging TWTAs, improving system reliability and meeting the performance and SWaP-C expectations of modern defense and aerospace programs.
Modern RF systems demand more than incremental improvementsâthey require amplifier architectures that are efficient, reliable, broadband and simple to integrate. As TWTAs face supply limitations and higher sustainment costs, solid-state technology provides a compelling path forward. Solutions that combine high power, broad bandwidth, integrated functionality and rugged reliability will define the next generation of radar, EW, SATCOM and test platforms.
Qorvoâs GaN-based amplifier solutions are engineered to meet these exact demands, providing a field-proven, scalable technology path for programs seeking to modernize their RF power infrastructure.
For more information, read our latest press release announcing Qorvoâs newest SSPAs enable up to 50 percent smaller and one-third lighter system-level solutions compared to legacy traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), supporting mission continuity and long-term reliability in demanding RF environments.
To learn more about Qorvoâs trusted RF solutions for defense and aerospaceâincluding Spatium SSPAs and GaN-based front ends, visitâŻwww.qorvo.com/spatiumsspa.
At the Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUT) in Blagnac, France, a quiet revolution in ultra-wideband (UWB) education and research is underway. Thanks to a long-standing collaboration with Qorvo, faculty and students are developing real-world applications that bridge the gap between innovation, education and industry.
What began with a challenge in a PhD research project, accurately localizing nodes that kept getting nudged out of place, has grown into a robust, multi-facility UWB test bed. The project, spearheaded by IUT Blagnacâs educators and researchers Carine Livoti, Adrien Vonenbosch and RĂŠjane Dalcet, is part high-tech experimentation, part professional training platform, and entirely driven by passion for accessible innovation.
âOur platform was built opportunistically,â said Adrien. âIt wasnât directly funded at the beginning, but every time we had a project, we looked for ways to expand and improve the platform.â With Qorvoâs early support and technology access, the team was able to get hands-on with UWB modules before the broader market recognized their potential. âThis gave us a real head start,â he added.
The test bed spans two main locations: a research facility and a âsmart homeâ environment in Blagnac. In the research building, UWB nodes are deployed in open spaces and even inside anechoic chambers to simulate radio-isolated conditions. Some nodes are installed on rails to allow for controlled movement, and recent additions include robotic mobility to add a higher degree of experimentation.
But itâs the smart home installation that reveals the human-centered possibilities of UWB. âItâs about more than experiments,â said RĂŠjane. âItâs about providing a service to people, testing how UWB can function in real environments, with real users.â From locating lost keys to optimizing hospital asset management, their UWB applications focus on transforming technical localization data into intuitive, human-readable outputs. Instead of cryptic coordinates, systems can say, âYour keys are next to the coffee maker in the kitchen.â
The demo room at IUT Blagnac.
The team also places an emphasis on education and training. Their platform supports both undergraduate students and professionals from engineering schools and industry. As Carine noted, âAt first, students may tune out when we explain that UWB occupies at least 500 megahertz of spectrum. But once they participate in hands-on activities, like a treasure hunt app built on UWB, the technology becomes real and exciting.â
That spirit of engagement drives the teamâs larger mission: to popularize UWB and make cutting-edge research accessible to startups, educators and professionals. âA few years ago, I had never even heard of ultra-wideband,â said Carine. âNow, thanks to Qorvo, we are working with startups and developing training sessions that help people outside of academia understand and apply this technology.â
The test bed is deployed at a building scale, over the first floor of building C of IUT Blagnac, using Qorvoâs DWM1001C.
Qorvoâs contribution has gone far beyond supplying hardware. Their partnership has helped IUT Blagnac create an educational and experimental environment that merges technical rigor with public-facing impact. Itâs a model for how industry and academia can collaborate to make complex technology both approachable and transformative.
Looking ahead, the Blagnac team sees even more opportunities to grow. They are working on turning UWB data into natural-language feedback for use in healthcare, smart homes and public services. Their goal is to continue opening research to the world and bringing innovation from the lab to everyday life. As RĂŠjane put it: âWe want to make ultra-wideband popular, understandable and useful. Not just for researchers, but for everyone.â
Find out more about Qorvo UWB solutions here.
At Qorvo, weâre proud to lead the industry in high-performance RF filtersâa title we work hard to earn every day. As spectrum becomes more crowded and devices grow smaller and more complex, filters must perform better than ever in less space.
We sat down with Gernot Fattinger, vice president of Global Operations Technology, to talk about how Qorvo is pushing the boundaries of filter innovation and why it matters to our customers across industries. His message was clear: filters are everywhere, and innovation is non-negotiable.
Q: Why are RF filters so important in todayâs wireless world?
Gernot:Acoustic filtersâspecifically bulk acoustic wave (BAW) and surface acoustic wave (SAW)âare critical to virtually all wireless communication above 500 MHz, from smartphones and Wi-Fi networks to radar and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) applications.
Filters isolate and shape signals, allowing devices to connect faster, more reliably and more efficiently. Todayâs premium smartphones contain nearly 100 filters, with Qorvo contributing across low-band, mid-band, high-band and ultra-high-band frequencies, and even Wi-Fi and UWB modules. However, filters arenât just for mobile devices. They are essential for robust defense communications, aerospace, 5G base stations, the IoT and emerging wireless applications.
Q: Whatâs the latest innovation coming out of Qorvoâs filter technology?
Gernot: One of the biggest breakthroughs is our 7th generation BAW technology, also known as GEN7 BAW. GEN7 removes the cavity structure used in prior uBAW designsâa major step to shrinking size without compromising performance. GEN7 BAW is 30% smaller on average than its predecessor and offers better power handling, all while simplifying integration into compact modules. In short, we found a way to eliminate the cavity and can even place connections right on top of the resonator. This kind of innovation helps us deliver the performance our customers need.
Q: What about lower frequencies? Are you innovating there too?
Gernot: Absolutely. While BAW technology remains the predominant choice at higher frequencies, SAW filters play a vital role below 1.5 GHz, particularly in low-band applications, as well as for some specific mid-band frequencies. This is where our new low-loss resonator SAW (LRT-SAW) technology is leading the way. LRT-SAW delivers dramatically better performance than legacy SAW platforms, such as temperature-compensated SAW (TC-SAW). LRT-SAW enables sharper transitions and more efficient filteringâexactly whatâs needed as more devices compete for low-band spectrum. I expect LRT-SAW to become the go-to solution for low-band frequencies and a critical component in future integrated modules. LRT-SAW will be Qorvoâs next crown jewel.
Q: What makes Qorvoâs approach to filter development different?
Gernot: Having our own BAW and SAW filter technologies isnât just about performance â itâs a strategic advantage. Weâre the only company manufacturing both SAW and BAW filters in the U.S., and our in-house technology gives us unmatched flexibility in how we build and integrate modules.
That matters more than ever, because the future is about integration. What used to be a few discrete parts has now evolved into highly integrated front-end modules. Soon, there will be one fully integrated RF front-end module per phone, containing every band and filter.
Final Thoughts
RF filters may be small, but their impact is massive. At Qorvo, our teams are already working on technologies that are five years aheadâand that will power products launching in 2030 and beyond. This is our commitment to helping our customers stay ahead with world-class technology, deep integration capabilities and relentless innovation across every band. Whether you’re building smartphones, defense systems, or the next-gen IoT device, Qorvo filters are built to power whatâs next.
Explore surface acoustic wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) technologies, how temperature affects filter performance, how multiplexers and antennaplexers help engineers create more complex wireless next-generation solutions and the secret of how RF filters help our many wireless devices coexist.
Staying ahead of the curve in the technology business is essential. With Wi-Fi 8 on our industryâs doorstep, its promise to dramatically advance connectivity as we know itâItâs time to make ready. This new standard promises not just faster internet speeds but also smarter, more efficient networking. To help us navigate the intricacies of Wi-Fi 8 and its implications for design engineers, we spoke with several experts, including Qorvo Connectivity Product Line Directors Kevin Gallagher and Wayne Polonio. Here, Kevin and Wayne share their expert insights on what engineers can expect from Wi-Fi 8 and how it will shape the future of wireless networking, including how key front-end innovations will support the next leap in wireless networking.
Q: Whatâs the real difference between Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 8?
Kevin Gallagher: At a glance, it might seem like Wi-Fi 8 offers only incremental changes over Wi-Fi 7âboth support high data rates and similar throughput. But under the hood, Wi-Fi 8 introduces important enhancements focused not on raw speed but on efficiency, coordination, and futureproofing.
The most visible change is an increase in available spectrum. Wi-Fi 8 extends the upper band limit from 7.125 GHz to 7.25 GHz. This subtle shift enables the addition of one more 320 MHz channel and another 160 MHz channelâcritical assets in reducing interference and enhancing performance in dense environments.
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Wayne Polonio: Not exactly. While faster data rates are always desirable, Wi-Fi 8 is about smarter Wi-Fi. It builds on the technologies introduced in Wi-Fi 7, like Multi-Link Operation (MLO), but adds features that enable better coordination between access points (APs) and client devices.
One standout feature is multi-AP coordination, which allows multiple routers or access points to work together to optimize coverage and reduce latency. This is a shift from the brute-force model of todayâs home networks where devices cling to a weak signal until they drop, rather than seamlessly handing off to a better AP.
Q: How will these changes affect CPE and mobile design?
Kevin Gallagher: On the CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) side expect more emphasis on adaptive transmission modes. Historically, routers operated in a single, high-power mode to ensure coverage. But this isn’t always optimal, especially for nearby devices.
Wi-Fi 8 encourages a shift toward dynamic front-end modes, similar to mobile handsets. This means APs will intelligently select different transmit profiles based on range and throughput needs, improving efficiency and thermal performance.
In mobile, the requirements are diverging regionally. For example, some phone makers are demanding higher output power (up to 26 dBm) to enable unique use features, while others are focused on minimizing current draw thus extending the battery life per charge. This variability increases pressure on front-end module (FEM) designers to offer more flexibilityâwithout compromising range or battery life.
Q: What challenges do engineers face when designing for Wi-Fi 8?
Wayne Polonio: There are several:
Q: What solutions are emerging to meet these challenges?
Kevin Gallagher: Qorvo is focusing on three core pillars to enable Wi-Fi 8 system design:
Q: Will the shift to Wi-Fi 8 be as disruptive as 5G?
Wayne Polonio: No. Unlike the bumpy transition to 5G, Wi-Fi standards mandate backward compatibility. Consumers will be able to use Wi-Fi 8 routers with legacy devices, and infrastructure upgrades are more evolutionary than revolutionary.
That said, with emerging applications like VR/AR demanding ultra-low latency and consistent handovers, Wi-Fi 8âs system-level improvements will become critical to user experience.
Q: Final takeaway: What should design engineers prioritize?
Kevin Gallagher: Wi-Fi 8 wonât be defined by eye-popping data rates, but by intelligence and efficiency. To build systems that are ready for this shift, engineers should focus on:
Qorvo remains committed to supporting both CPE and mobile solutions across the ecosystemâenabling our partners to deliver robust, efficient, and future-ready Wi-Fi 8 experiences. Learn more about Qorvoâs Wi-Fi technology and innovations.
While Ultra-Wideband might sound like Ultra-Weird-band to some, UWB continues to gain traction in automotive circles. This ultra-precise, low-power radio technology is making your car smarter, safer and possibly more judgmental about how loudly you sing in traffic.
UWB in Cars: Not Just a One-Key Wonder
UWB first popped up in cars to enable Digital Key systems, giving drivers the futuristic ability to unlock their car without touching a thing. Unlike traditional key fobs that yell “I’m nearby!” to anything that’ll listen (including hackers), UWB precisely tells your car not just that you’re there, but where you are within a few centimeters, in fact. That’s close enough to unlock the door, but not close enough to judge your fast food choices.
Qorvo’s new automotive-qualified UWB SoC, the QPF5100Q, is a slick piece of silicon packed with security, configurability and enough swagger to impress German car engineers. It’s currently going through design verification with top automotive OEMs and no, you can’t install it in your 2002 minivan just yet, but we admire your enthusiasm.
One of the most important new UWB applications is Child Presence Detection (CPD). With high-precision sensing, the car can now detect tiny movements like breathing or the heartbeat of a sleeping child to alert parents if someone’s left behind.
This goes way beyond motion sensors. UWB-powered CPD (as demoed at CES 2024 with Qorvo tech inside) can distinguish between a child, a gym bag or the burrito that rolled under your seat months ago.
Wave Hello to Gesture Control
UWB’s talents also extend to gesture control. Want to skip a track or adjust the stereo without hunting for a touchscreen? Just wave. Wave left to skip the track. Wave right to pump the bass. Wave up to adjust the volume. Qorvo’s QM35825 SoC makes these midair interactions feel like sc-ifiI sense the music is strong in you, Luke. I am your fader.”
This same tech can monitor movement, improve cabin personalization andââŹâperhaps someday soonââŹâdetect when you’ve nodded off mid-podcast.
What’s Next for UWB?
Want to Geek Out?
For more on how Qorvo is driving the future of automotive UWB (with actual engineers, not just blog posters), check out:
So yes, UWB might have started as the misunderstood, oddly named member of the wireless tech family, but today it’s the hero that quietly makes your car safer, smarter and a whole lot cooler. And no, it’s not Ultra-Weirdband. It’s more like Ultra-Wowband!
This article first appeared in Brent’s Musings in Microwave Journal
Linearity of a receiver plays an important role in the overall performance of the system. It affects system-level parameters like link budget and receiver sensitivity. Designing high-performance RF receivers involves navigating the classic tug-of-war between two critical specifications: Noise Figure (NF) and input linearity, typically expressed as input third-order intercept point (IIP3). Lower NF improves sensitivity but often requires higher Gain. Conversely, high IIP3 supports better tolerance to interference but usually comes at the cost of reducing Gain.
This article explores the interaction between these specifications and how receiver linearity performance is critical to the overall system performance. We’ll also cover key concepts in intermodulation distortion, the difference in linearity optimization for transmitters versus receivers, and how tools like Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) can simplify the overall system-level trade-offs.
A Brief Review of Linearity
Linearity is the ability of the amplifier to produce an output signal that is a linear representation of the input signal. Having a good linear signal helps maintain signal integrity. Non-linearity can lead to distortion, intermodulation products and spectral regrowth â all of which can lead to a degraded signal quality in the system. Linearity performance is measured at medium signal levels, i.e., the system is not driven into compression, but intermodulation distortion is generated.
Second- and Third-Order Intercept & IMD Products
The second and third-order intercept-point (IP2 and IP3) products are widely used to benchmark the linear performance of an RF system. IIP3 refers to the hypothetical input power level where the power of third-order intermodulation products (IMD) equals the power of the fundamental output signal. To fully understand IP3, it’s important to know the difference between Input IP3 (IIP3) and Output IP3 (OIP3).
IIP3 is the signal power going into the device at the intercept point, while OIP3 is the signal power coming out of the device at that same point. Both values help us understand how an RF device performs when dealing with different input signal levels. Understanding the relationship between Input IP3 (IIP3) and Output IP3 (OIP3) can provide invaluable insights into the behavior of RF devices and systems. OIP3 can be calculated using the formula:
Before the IP3 point is reached, the device usually hits saturation. This means it canât increase its output power in a straight linear line anymore, no matter how much you raise the input. The result is signal compression and distortion. See Figure 1.
Two-tone tests shown in Figure 2 can be performed to measure IP2 and IP3. Two closely spaced sinusoidal signals (Fundamental Tones) with equal power level input power (Pin) at frequencies f1 and f2 are applied, and the level of the second order IMD (IM2) at frequencies |f2 â f1|, 2f1 and 2f2 is then observed as Pin increases. For third-order intermodulation products, the two-tone frequencies are chosen such that the IM products fall inside the received signal band. For IP3, the IM3 components at |2f1âf2| and |2f2âf1| are observed as Pin increases.
The IP3 is a result of third-order IMD products, specifically |2f1 â f2| and |2f2 â f1| as shown above. The third-order intercept is a figure of merit that characterizes an RF receiverâs tolerance when subjected to multiple RF signals within the desired passband. These IMD products apply to both transmit and receive sides of the RF system. But optimizing each end of the system requires slightly different approaches.
As shown in Figure 3 below, the graph illustrates two distinct slopes that represent different regions of amplifier behavior. In the initial linear region, the output power increases proportionally with input power at a 1:1 slope, reflecting the ideal, distortion-free operation of the device where the fundamental signal dominates. This region indicates that the amplifier operates within its linear dynamic range, preserving signal integrity.
However, as the input power continues to rise, the device transitions into a non-linear region where intermodulation distortion products, particularly third-order (IMD3), begin to emerge. In this region, these distortion components increase at a much faster rate than the fundamental, with a characteristic slope of 3:1. This means that for every 1 dB increase in input power, the IMD3 components grow by 3 dB, quickly surpassing the desired signal and degrading overall performance. Understanding these two regions and their respective slopes is essential for accurately characterizing the linearity of RF components and for predicting how they will perform under real-world signal conditions.
Optimizing the Receiver via IIP3
Designing RF receivers with a focus on output linearity can be misleading, as it often focuses on Gain that ultimately compromises receiver performance.
While higher output Gain helps maximize output linearity (like one would do for a transmitter), it simultaneously degrades input linearity by making the system more susceptible to compression from smaller input signals, as shown in Figure 4. The data shows that optimal receiver performance requires a careful balance between input-referenced linearity and NF. Lower NF is achieved with higher front-end Gain, but this comes at the cost of reduced input linearity. Conversely, maximizing input linearity calls for lower overall Gain, which can raise the NF. Therefore, effective receiver design demands trade-offs between these parameters, so neither parameter is sacrificed excessively. Designers must avoid the transmitter-oriented mindset that more Gain is inherently better and instead select a Gain profile that optimally balances NF and IIP3 for the intended application.
But why is the receiver linearity IIP3 so important? It is because it directly impacts the receiverâs ability to handle multiple signals and prevent IMD. A high IIP3 in a receiver design indicates the receiver is more linear and therefore can better separate designed signals from unwanted IMD products.
It is important for system designers to understand the influencing factors such as Gain, NF, OIP3 and IIP3. Balancing the trade-offs between these parameters is critical to ensuring the overall system is optimized.
EVM and the Bathtub Curve Explained
âŻThe manifestation of Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) (a measure of the difference between an ideal signal and the actual received signal in digital communication systems) can come from many different sources. The EVM figure of merit is typically a combination of noise and distortion. As shown in Figure 5, at lower power levels, noise tends to dominate, and the EVM increases as we lower the power. At high power levels, distortion tends to dominate, and we observe increased EVM as we increase power levels. In the middle, we often see the minimum EVM, and so the overall shape resembles a bathtub curve. As such, the EVM bathtub curve becomes an essential visualization tool for system-level optimization, offering a comprehensive view of how different impairments jointly impact overall performance.
And yes, weâre keeping an eye on the next wave, too. AI-powered radar? Ultra-wideband-enabled machine vision? BAW and SAW filters that are smaller, faster and even smarter than the systems they serve? Thatâs all in our wheelhouse.
While most frequency devices exhibit low phase noise below 2 GHz, this advantage diminishes at higher frequencies and wider signal bandwidths, where integrated phase noise can increase substantially and degrade system performance. This challenge is particularly acute in millimeter wave (mmWave) systems operating above 20 GHz, where elevated phase noise directly contributes to higher EVM.
To address this, system-level design often begins with cascade analysis, using low-level performance metrics of individual components to estimate overall system behavior. In these situations, EVM serves as a highly practical system-level performance metric, enabling engineers to consolidate the effects of multiple impairments, such as noise, non-linearities and phase noise, into a single optimization target. Rather than tuning several individual parameters, designers can focus on minimizing the root-mean-square (rms) EVM value for an efficient and effective design process. This optimization is visually aided by the EVM bathtub curve.
The System Advantages of Optimized Receiver Linearity
High linearity in an RF receiver is critical for maintaining robust system performance in the presence of strong or closely spaced signals. One of the primary benefits of high receiver linearity is an expanded spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), which quantifies the usable signal range before intermodulation products rise above the noise floor. SFDR is directly proportional to the IIP3 and inversely proportional to the noise floor (No), with the relationship defined by this formula.
Conclusion
In summary, optimizing RF receiver performance demands a careful balancing act between input linearity and NF, as both parameters critically influence system sensitivity, interference tolerance and overall signal fidelity. While conventional design approaches may prioritize output metrics like OIP3 or default to maximizing Gain, this can lead to suboptimal trade-offs, particularly in dynamic RF environments. A focus on IIP3, supported by tools like EVM analysis and cascade modeling, enables more accurate predictions of receiver system behavior and better-informed design choices. Whether operating in low-interference conditions that favor higher Gain and lower NF or in high-interference scenarios that require improved linearity through Gain reduction, adaptive receiver architectures that dynamically adjust to their signal environment offer the greatest design flexibility. By embracing a system-level perspective that accounts for all impairments, including intermodulation, compression, noise and phase distortion, engineers can achieve receiver designs that are both robust and efficient across a wide range of use cases.
Additionally, you can find more interesting collateral on this subject by visiting our Qorvo Design Hub for a rich assortment of videos, technical articles, white papers, tools and more.
For technical support, please visit Qorvo.com or reach out to Technical Support.
About the Authors
Our authors bring a wealth of technical expertise in developing and optimizing high-performance RF receiver solutions and systems. With a deep understanding of customer needs and industry trends, they collaborate closely with our design teams to drive innovation and deliver cutting-edge solutions that support industry-leading products.
Thank you to our main contributors of this article: David Corman (Chief Systems Architect) and David Schnaufer (Corporate, Technical Marketing Manager) for their contributions to this blog post, ensuring our readers stay informed with expert knowledge and industry trends.
Letâs dive into what each calculator does and how it can enhance your next IoT design.
1. Crystal Procurement Tool: Ensure Stable Oscillation and Precise Frequency Offset
Selecting the right 32 MHz crystal is critical for ensuring your wireless device performs within specification. This tool checks if the crystal electrical parameters, as specified in the datasheet, can meet Qorvo procurement requirements. It calculates the (external) load capacitors and the test limits for finished goods production tests and, if needed, generates a frequency correction look-up table for up to 125°C applications. This tool saves design engineers time by helping them pick the optimum crystal for their design.
Key Benefits:
With this tool, hardware designers can confidently select crystals that will maintain stability and accuracy across all operating conditions, including lifetime temperature variations.
2. Energy Budget Calculator: Estimate and Optimize Battery Life
Battery life is one of the most critical metrics for IoT devices. The Energy Budget Calculator helps you forecast energy usage and lifetime under various wireless use cases, from Matter (over Thread)/Zigbee Sleepy End Devices to BLE peripherals and UWB initiators.
Key Benefits:
By visualizing current profiles and total power consumption, developers can make smarter design tradeoffs and avoid premature battery failures.
Understanding the limits of your wireless RF range and how to optimize them is crucial for reliable operation in diverse environments. This Link Budget & Range Calculator gives you an easy way to estimate RF range and link margin under various propagation models.
Key Benefits:
Whether youâre designing for indoor, urban or long-range outdoor conditions, this tool helps you design with confidence.
Get Started Today
All three calculators are free downloadable PC applications designed to give Qorvo IoT developers an edge. They are located on Qorvoâs Design Hub on the Interactive Tools & Calculators webpage. Whether youâre optimizing RF performance, estimating energy usage or selecting components that meet our strict specs, these tools can help you bring robust, efficient devices to market faster.
Need help or want to learn more? Reach out to Applications Support for expert assistance.
For more information on this and other Qorvo designs, please visit Qorvo.com or reach out to Technical Support.
About the Authors
Our authors bring a wealth of technical expertise in developing and optimizing wireless solutions for advanced technologies. With a deep understanding of customer needs and industry trends, they collaborate closely with our design teams to drive innovation and deliver cutting-edge solutions that support industry-leading products.
Thank you to our main contributors to this article, David Schnaufer (Technical Marketing Manager) and Roy Lau (Sr. Manager, Applications Hardware Engineering).
Have another topic that you would like Qorvo experts to cover? Email your suggestions to the Qorvo Blog team and it could be featured in an upcoming post. Please include your contact information in the body of the email.
Consumers choose smart devices to enhance home security, safety, convenience, energy saving and efficient health and safety. Although individual features and functions may meet their needs, many struggle with interoperability across their network. As the number of devices increases, managing multiple interfaces through various technology standards like Thread, Wi-Fi and BluetoothÂŽ often becomes frustrating.
Matter addresses this fragmentation challenge in smart homes with its industry-standard framework, promoting seamless interconnectivity, reliability and security. It independently supports Wi-Fi, Thread and Ethernet, allowing developers, device manufacturers and consumers to concentrate on application and use cases rather than technology or standard. This ensures a more interoperable and efficient smart home environment.
Matter provides IoT manufacturers and platform vendors, such as Amazon, Google, Apple and the smart home device market, with the necessary interoperability and control via a single interface. The main drivers that Matter brings forth are shown in Figure 2 below.
Matter simplifies the smart device ecosystem by standardizing development and supporting product certification. This allows retailers to address consumer concerns about wireless ecosystems and interconnectivity.
So, where does the wireless standard Thread fit within this Matter story? Thread is based on the IEEE 801.15.4 standard and uses Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) as a networking protocol. Thread offers several benefits such as powerful encryption, low latency and low power consumption and can accommodate several hundred devices in a single network.
This wireless technology is built specifically for smart home Matter devices, helping to extend the overall strength, capacity, and reach of Matter-enabled devices. Later in this article, we will explore Thread more, but for now, letâs provide a quick review of Matter.
As shown in Figure 3 below, Matter utilizes a layered architecture with a physical layer at the base and an application layer at the top, incorporating several IP technologies, including transmission control protocol (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP)âcommon protocols used for web browsing. At its core, Matter uses IPv6, an internet layer protocol that enables end-to-end data transmission across various networks, found in everyday devices like laptops and smartphones.
This framework allows Matter to establish a secure application layer over IPv6-based transport protocols, facilitating message routing. Unlike current systems like Bluetooth or Zigbee, using IP technology enables direct communication across all network devicesâfor example, your laptop can interact with an IP-enabled light bulb using Wi-Fi without needing cloud-based translation or gateway interpretation.
Moreover, Matter supports multiple physical layers for connectivity, including Ethernet and Wi-Fi. It also introduces the option of using Matter over Thread. This Thread-enabled standard enhances latency and power efficiency for battery-operated devices. Letâs explore how Thread provides the catalyst needed for a more efficient and reliable home network.
Thread’s Technology Superiority
Thread is a wireless mesh network standard designed for low-power IoT devices, including battery-powered devices. Its low power consumption significantly prolongs battery life, making it ideal for end devices like thermostats, locks and home sensors that operate using sleep modes.
Thread is designed to make IoT devices work faster, have fewer points of failure, use less power and communicate with each other more seamlessly. Thread focuses on devices that need to conserve battery by sleeping for extended periods, briefly waking to send data before returning to sleep.
Overall, Thread is a low-power, fast communication standard that creates a mesh. This allows it to create redundancies in the network and communicate faster than Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy.
Thread only requires one border router in the network, and it can be built into any Wi-Fi network device, like a lightbulb, thermostat, etc. However, the more border routers in the network, the more efficient and reliable the network will be. Thread border routers communicate across these varied physical layers, and having more Thread-enabled devices and border routers, as illustrated in Figure 4 below, enhances the efficiency and reliability of the network.
Thread creates a mesh network so light bulbs, thermostats, light switches, smart blinds, sensors and more can talk to each other free of the constraint of having to go all the way back to a Wi-Fi or network hub or bridge. A Thread network does not require a hub because if a device fails in the network, the data is simply relayed to the next device (i.e., a light bulb or sensor).
Thread’s Interoperability and Futureproofing
The ultimate smart home will have a universally compatible ecosystem of devices that communicate no matter who the manufacturer is. This is the goal of Matter. To achieve this, Matter must incorporate a technological standard that ensures future-proofing. Investing in a technology like Thread guarantees this, as it is designed to evolve over time with updates like Thread 1.4.0, which prepares the home for future advancements in IoT. It is an IP-based open technology that is not tied to specific manufacturers or market strategies.
The IoT will soon have devices with little or unrecognizable latency. The Thread protocol is already designed for these low-latency, high-throughput, real-time scenarios. Whether transmitting data to the cloud or between network devices, Thread ensures effectiveness and efficiency with minimal latency. It also supports multi-path routing, so as more Matter-based IoT devices become available to consumers, they can easily be incorporated into the network.
Security is always vital in a network, and security breaches are a concern in the IoT space. Thread provides a highly secure mesh network, using financial-class security encryption. Thread incorporates a 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for all network data traffic, giving users a high level of security.
Thread Offers:
Overcoming the Matter/Thread Headwinds
Ok, so itâs not all unicorns and rainbows for Thread and Matter. At least not yet. But, just like when Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were starting out, there were some headwinds. Ultimately, Matter leaders chose to use Wi-Fi and Thread for their wireless communications.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance and the Thread Group realize the headwinds, so they have encouraged Thread adoption by integrating its competitors; for example, Thread uses Bluetooth for initial device discovery and allows ZigBeeâs application layer to run on its network, ensuring compatibility with existing ZigBee software.
As with any new standard, there are challenges, and adoption will take time. However, the many advantages Thread brings will ultimately make it one of the go-to standards for secure IoT Matter-enabled devices.
Ultimately, the overall solution for Thread involves platforms and manufacturers agreeing on a unified method to share network credentials across devices and create an industry standard for securely establishing a single Thread network within homes. Today, the CSA and Thread Group are decisively addressing these headwinds by encouraging unity and outlining a clear strategic roadmap.
A Final Word
This article has delved into how Matter and Thread collectively enhance the IoT landscape, offering a robust framework for smart home devices. Matter simplifies network complexity and ensures device interoperability through its open-source, IP-based standard, which supports a variety of physical layers, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Thread. Thread, specifically designed to complement Matter, excels in creating efficient, reliable mesh networks that support a wide array of devices without the need for a central hub. Its features, like low latency, high security with 128-bit AES encryption, and self-healing capabilities, address many current IoT challenges. Despite facing headwinds, solutions are emerging through industry collaboration to standardize network credential sharing, aimed at reducing platform fragmentation and enhancing user experience in smart homes. The combined efforts of Matter and Thread are setting the stage for a universally compatible, scalable and secure IoT ecosystem.
About the Authors
Our authors bring a wealth of technical expertise in developing and optimizing IoT connectivity solutions for advanced technologies. With a deep understanding of customer needs and industry trends, they collaborate closely with our design teams to drive innovation and deliver cutting-edge solutions that support industry-leading products.
Thank you to our main contributors to this article, Chitra Mysore (Sr, Product Marketing Manager), David Schnaufer (Technical Marketing Manager), Marcel Virjkorte (Sr. Mgr. Applications Engineering) and Abnob Abdelnour (Sr. RF System Engineer) for their contributions to this article, ensuring our readers stay informed with expert knowledge and industry trends.
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