5G Infrastructure Needs Scalable Solutions
Xilinx Launches Zynq RFSoC DFE Platform
Scalable from small cells to mMIMO cells


To build 5G infrastructure, not only must bandwidth, power, and cost issues be resolved, but solutions capable of adapting to three key 5G scenarios—enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), and Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLC)—are also required.

In addition, these solutions must be able to scale according to innovative 5G business models, including evolving 5G standards such as OpenRAN (O-RAN).

On the 3rd, Xilinx launched the Zynq® RFSoC Digital Front-End (DFE), an adaptive wireless platform designed to respond to evolving 5G wireless application standards. This platform integrates hardwired DFE blocks and adaptive logic to enable cost-effective, high-performance, low-power 5G NR wireless solutions across the 5G mid-band and high-band spectrum.

The Zynq RFSoC DFE provides twice the performance per watt compared to the previous generation and can scale from small cells to mMIMO (Massive MIMO) macrocells. It offers multi-mode, multi-band 400 MHz instantaneous bandwidth, including Carrier Aggregation (CA) and Carrier Sharing (CS) across all FR1 bands, and supports a new band up to 7.125 GHz.

When the new platform is used as a millimeter-wave Intermediate Frequency (IF) transceiver, it can provide an instantaneous bandwidth of up to 1,600 MHz. It is designed to allow customers to bypass or customize hard IP blocks, enabling them to utilize Xilinx’s Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) supporting the new GaN power amplifier or insert their own proprietary DPD IP.

Design documentation and support for the Zynq RFSoC DFE are available to early access customers, and the product is scheduled to ship in the first half of 2021. Detailed information on the Zynq RFSoC DFE will be provided at the 'Xilinx Adapt: 5G' virtual technology event, which will be held for two days from November 18 to 19.