Synopsys launches industry’s first MIPI DigRF(SM) v4 IP

MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: Synopsys Inc. has announced the immediate availability of the DesignWare MIPI 4G DigRF(SM) Master Controller IP.

By complementing its current silicon-proven DesignWare MIPI 3G DigRF Controller and PHY IP, Synopsys becomes the first vendor to offer a comprehensive IP portfolio for both the MIPI DigRF v3 and v4 standards. The configurable MIPI 4G DigRF Master Controller is compliant to the recently ratified MIPI DigRF v4 1.00 specification and enables designers to reliably implement the new standard.

In addition, Synopsys is developing the DesignWare M-PHY(SM), the physical layer for the MIPI DigRF v4 interface, in parallel with the ratification of the specification. A single-vendor solution enables designers to lower the risk and cost of integrating the DigRF interfaces into baseband ICs (BBICs) and application processors, while speeding time-to-market of advanced LTE and Mobile WiMAX system-on-chips (SoCs).

“As a leading provider of 4G mobile broadband solutions, having a high-quality DigRF IP solution is critical to our product developments,” said Sunny Padacheril, vice president of Engineering for SoC Development at Beceem. “We selected the DesignWare 4G DigRF solution because of Synopsys’ expertise and track record of delivering high-speed interfaces.”

MIPI Alliance’s DigRF v4 is the latest generation of the standard that defines the interface between RF transceiver ICs (RFIC) and BBICs and addresses the increased data throughput requirements for mobile terminals targeting 4G standard air interfaces such as LTE and mWiMAX.

The DigRF v4 specification also supports existing 3GPP standards such as 2.5G and 3.5G. The low power and area-efficient DesignWare 4G DigRF Master Controller implements the features defined for the protocol and PHY adaptation layers of the DigRF v4 rev 1.00 specification. The DesignWare DigRF IP has also verified interoperability with RFIC devices currently available on the market.

Configurability of the IP RTL provides flexibility for system-specific implementations, such as number of lanes, sublinks and diversity, while protocol-specific attributes including IQ sample size, frame scheduling and handling of timing critical signals are software programmable.

“Ratification of the DigRF v4 specification is a key achievement for the MIPI Alliance,” said Joel Huloux, chairman of the MIPI Alliance. “As an active contributor to the MIPI working groups, Synopsys has direct influence on the specification which enables them to provide a comprehensive IP solution that will help speed the adoption of this new interface into the mobile market.”

“MIPI standards such as DigRF are instrumental to improving interoperability and accelerating development of mobile devices,” said John Koeter, vice president of marketing for the Solutions Group at Synopsys. “This latest addition to the DesignWare MIPI portfolio, now consisting of DigRF v3 and v4, CSI-2 and D-PHY IP, enables designers to turn to a single, trusted vendor for high-quality solutions that help them bring MIPI-based products to the market faster and with less risk."

The DesignWare DigRF 4G controller is available now to early adopters. The M-PHY is under development based on the evolving MIPI specification.