Akoustis Technologies has received an order for the development of a XBAW™ coexistence filter for use in RF front-end modules for mobile devices. The modules are expected to ramp production in the second half of calendar 2021, targeting 5G smartphones and other mobile devices.
The new customer is a leading RF front-end module maker currently selling both cellular and WiFi modules into the handset market. This order is for the first of multiple expected module designs using Akoustis’ XBAW™ filters. The customer plans to utilize Akoustis XBAW technology in future development to expand their full RF front-end modules and standalone filter modules.
This is the second customer that has engaged Akoustis for the development of XBAW™ filters for 5G mobile applications.
Jeff Shealy, Founder and CEO of Akoustis, stated, “As we are approaching the release of our first qualified wafer-level-package solution, we are experiencing greater interest in our XBAW™ filters for use in 5G mobile and other devices.” Mr. Shealy continued, “We are thrilled to receive this first order from a 5G mobile RF module maker that will target entry into the global 5G mobile device market within the next twelve months. 5G mobile represents the largest potential market for Akoustis by both volume and revenue, and we are delighted to add this strategic market segment to complement our ongoing commercial success in WiFi and 5G network infrastructure.”
Akoustis’ high frequency, high performance XBAW™ process and filters are experiencing growing interest as the Company has entered production in multiple markets in calendar 2020, which now includes 5G mobile devices, 5G network infrastructure, high-band WiFi and phased-array radar applications. Akoustis remains focused on its current 500% capacity expansion in its Canandaigua, NY fabrication facility, which is expected to be complete by mid-2021. This will help the Company scale its production to handle increased volume from its target markets.
Akoustis has added 15 filters to its product catalog including a 5.6 GHz WiFi filter, a 5.2 GHz WiFi filter, a 5.5 GHz WiFi-6E filter, a 6.5 GHz WiFi 6E filter, three small cell 5G network infrastructure filters including two Band n77 filters and one Band n79 filter, a 3.8 GHz filter and five S-Band filters for defense phased-array radar applications, a 3.6 GHz filter for the CBRS 5G infrastructure market and a C-Band filter for the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) market.
The company is also developing several new filters for the sub-7 GHz bands targeting 5G mobile device, network infrastructure, WiFi CPE and defense markets.
Hordon Kim, International Editor, hordon@powerelectronics.co.kr
