Configurable I/O integration to reduce system-on-chip time to market: DDR, PCIe examples

Summary form only given. The cell phone industry is starting the transition from 3G to 4G networks. In this process, the number of bands that 4G radios have to accommodate is growing rapidly. As the suppliers of radio devices to the cell phone industry, the RFIC world is being challenged to provide a proliferation of new designs in a timely fashion. Without unlimited budgets, managers are being compelled to become more efficient in their product development. At the same time, as the spectrum gets more crowded emerging co-existence issues are becoming apparent which further complicate the RF front end. Lastly, our customers want increased functionality in ever smaller form factors which also raises thermal challenges. How are the successful players in this business going to successfully navigate this transition, what capabilities are required, and where are the opportunities for faster than market growth?