Tunable Components
& Platform Architectures
for Smartphones

Tour:

Center for Integrated RF Engineering (CIRFE)

http://cirfe.uwaterloo.ca/

• Lab tour on tunable filter and multi-band filter works

&

Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) -
http://iqc.uwaterloo.ca/

• Short presentation in auditorium

• Quantum Optics Lab

  • To observe photons used to implement ideas of quantum computing

• Tour lab to see solid state crystals and semiconductors used as building blocks of a quantum processor

• Tour lab to see a fabrication room where they fabricate devices used in quantum computing

Limitations: People with pacemakers or other metal in their bodies will not be able to visit the labs with powerful magnets.

Tour limit: 25 people.

Social and Networking

Reception and Registration

Opening Remarks and Self-Introductions

Each person will be asked to introduce him/herself and show how they can contribute to this process.

Host Keynote Opening Remarks and Presentation

• Exploring Tunable RF Front End Systems

• Why Tunability?

  • Preparing for LTE and LTE-Advanced User Equipment

    • Re-use of RF Front End Systems for Multi-Band Support

    • Supporting Carrier Aggregation

• What is the Current Maturity and Status of Development?

• When Do Tunable Solutions Provide a Return on Investment?

Networking Break

Mobile Operator Perspectives

• Assessing the Operator View of Tunable Systems

• What are the Service Provider Expectations?

• What Optimization is Demanded:

  • OTA Performance?

  • PA Design to Reduce Current?

  • Other?

• What Test Cases Will Be Used to Measure Tuning Performance Within Acceptance Testing?

• What are the Drivers for Tunable Solutions?

• What Band Support is Required for LTE and LTE-Advanced?

  • Range and Timescales

• Can Tunable Solutions Impact Carrier Aggregation Implementations?

  • Bands and Timescales

  • How Will Tunable Solutions Deliver Simultaneous High and Low Band Tuning?

• Concerns, Issues and Challenges

• How Will Service Providers Address Performance Criteria for Tunable Devices?

• SAR Compliance Challenges/Testing for Tunable Handset Devices

Networking Lunch

OEM Perspectives

• Exploring Acceptance Criteria for Tunable Solutions

• What Tunable Solutions are Needed to Support Multi-Band & Carrier Aggregation Implementations?

• What is the Impact of Tuning on the Overall System?

  • Single Chain Tuning vs. MIMO - Can More Than One Antenna Be Tuned Simultaneously?

  • What is the Impact on OTA Performance?

  • How Scalable Are Tunable Solutions? Is 4x4 MIMO Achievable?

• Roadmaps and/or Roadblocks for Tunable Solutions

• What Are the Issues for Closed Loop vs. Open Loop Solutions for Each Part of the RF Chain?

  • Technical and Economic Trade-offs

• Expected Gains Moving from an Open-Loop Solution to a Closed-Loop Solution

Platform Vendor Perspectives

• What are the Drivers for Tunable Components?

• Assessing Performance and Cost Impacts

• What Control Mechanisms are Needed for Tunable Solutions? (RFFE, SPIO, etc.)

• What is Available to Support Closed-Loop Systems?

• What is Needed in the Future to Support Closed-Loop Systems?

• Power Management Impact

• Which Bands or Band Combinations Gain Most from Tunability?

• Beyond Matching - Using Tuning for Re-use of Circuits for Multiple Bands

• What Wishes Do You Have for Tunable Components?

Networking Break

Mobile Operator Perspectives (Continued)

Panel Session

• Technologies, Roadmaps, Capabilities, Concerns

Adjourn for Day

Bus Leaves for Dinner - Culinaria Restaurant at the Historic Elliot House

Networking Breakfast

Control Interface Considerations: Meeting the Needs of Tunable Solutions

Tunability and Power Management - New Directions

Tunability and Power Management - State of the Art

• What is the Impact of Tuning on the Overall System?

  • What is the Impact on OTA Performance?

• How Scalable are Tunable Solutions?

  • Single Chain Tuning vs. MIMO

  • Is 4x4 MIMO Achievable?

• Functional Blocks Being Considered:

  • Antennas

  • Matching Components

  • Filters

  • Power Amplifiers

  • Power Management ICs

• What is the Current Maturity and Status of Development for:

  • Tunable Matching Circuits, PAs, Filters and Switches?

  • Adaptive Antenna Matching?

  • Algorithm Maturity?

  • Integration into Chipsets and Transceiver Platforms?

  • Control for Closed-Loop Systems?

• What is the Impact of Carrier Aggregation on Current and Future Tuning Solutions?

• Can Simultaneous High and Low-Band Tuning Be Solved?

• What Tunable Range Can Be Achieved Today and in the Future to Support 600MHz - 6GHz Bands?

• What Impact Does Tunability Have on Power Management?

• What Control Mechanisms are Needed for Tunable Solutions?

  • Closed-Loop Systems

  • Power Management

  • Control Bus Options

• Which Bands or Band Combinations Gain Most from Tunability?

• Beyond Matching - Using Tuning for Re-use of Circuits for Multiple Bands

Networking Break

Tunability and Power Management - State of the Art (Continued)

Networking Lunch

Tunability and Power Management - State of the Art (Continued)

Networking Break

Closing Discussion - Phase 2 Working Group Activities

• Review Outcomes and Findings from the Workshop

• Proposals for Working Group Next Steps

Takeaways and Closing Remarks

Adjourn

Social and Networking

Reception and Registration