TDK Corporation has announced an SMD circulator for WiMAX base stations. This device features structural improvements that increase mounting efficiency, allow for efficient heat dispersion, and also enable flexible and streamlined board layout design.

The main unit of the SMD WiMAX circulator has been embedded in a hollowed-out resin substrate, which means that surface mounting and reflow solder can be used during PCB assembly. In addition, the circulator casing is in direct contact with the mounting substrate, resulting in efficient heat dispersion and improved reliability. The SMD format also allows flexible board layout and streamlined design compared to other WiMAX circulators.

TDK's SMD circulator is compatible with WiMAX (2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz) and wide-band (200 MHz) frequencies. A circulator is a three-terminal, high-frequency component that 'circulates' signals entering each terminal to adjacent terminals. These are key components for rectifying the transmission and reception of mobile communications in base stations.

WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology based on the IEEE 802.16 standard aimed at providing wireless data over long distances. It allows for higher speed data communications compared to existing infrastructures.

Availability

TDK's WiMAX SMD circulator is available now, supplied either in volume tape-and-reel packaging or in sample books. These parts are RoHS compliant, completely lead-free and have a specified operating temperature range between -55 and +85 °C.

[See also: WiMax gains in mobile-broadband game, but 4G lurks]