RF front-end modules in cellular handsets

Radio portion of the cellular handsets have evolved from a nearly all-discrete implementation towards a very high level of integration in baseband IC, transceiver ICs and front-end (FE) modules. Integration allows handsets designers to pack more functionalities into a smaller volume with reduced bills of material (BOM) and costs. This paper reviews the FE modules for the 2/sup nd/ generation (2G) handsets followed by a discussion of future trend of FE integration in the emerging multi-band, multi-mode phones for the 2.5G and 3G systems.