Infineon BGS12PL6: A Low-Insertion-Loss SP8T RF Switch for Advanced 4G/5G Applications

The relentless expansion of 4G and the rapid deployment of 5G networks demand increasingly sophisticated RF front-end (RFFE) components. Key among these is the antenna switch, a critical element responsible for routing high-frequency signals between a single antenna and multiple transceivers. The Infineon BGS12PL6 emerges as a premier solution, a Single Pole Eight Throw (SP8T) RF switch engineered to meet the stringent performance requirements of modern smartphones and other connected devices.

This switch is architected around an advanced CMOS process, which enables its exceptional performance while maintaining a highly competitive form factor. The most defining characteristic of the BGS12PL6 is its extremely low insertion loss, which is typically a mere 0.35 dB at 1 GHz and 0.5 dB at 2.5 GHz. This minimal signal loss is paramount in 5G applications, where preserving signal integrity directly translates to improved data throughput, extended battery life, and enhanced overall connectivity range.

Furthermore, the device boasts outstanding linearity performance, with an Input Third-Order Intercept Point (IIP3) of up to +70 dBm. This high linearity is crucial for preventing signal distortion and intermodulation, especially in complex carrier aggregation (CA) scenarios where multiple frequency bands are simultaneously active. It ensures clean signal transmission and reception even in the presence of high-power blockers, a common challenge in congested RF environments.

Designed for versatility, the BGS12PL6 supports a broad frequency range from 100 MHz to 6 GHz, encompassing all legacy cellular standards (2G, 3G, 4G) as well as the new 5G NR bands below 6 GHz (FR1). Its SP8T configuration provides design engineers with the flexibility to connect a single antenna to numerous paths, including primary and diversity receivers, multiple transmit paths, and various GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) or Wi-Fi modules.

Housed in a compact, lead-free 1.6 x 1.6 mm² 12-pin LGA package, the switch is ideal for space-constrained mobile PCB designs. It features a simplified CMOS-compatible control logic, requiring only three control pins (with an integrated decoder) to select any of the eight RF ports, significantly reducing the GPIO load on the baseband processor.

ICGOOODFIND: The Infineon BGS12PL6 stands out as a superior SP8T RF switch, delivering a combination of ultra-low insertion loss, exceptional linearity, and broadband performance in a miniature package. It is an optimal enabler for high-performance, compact 4G/5G RFFE designs, ensuring robust and efficient connectivity in next-generation mobile devices.

Keywords: Low-Insertion-Loss, SP8T RF Switch, 5G Applications, High Linearity, CMOS-based Switch.