MaxLinear's Sierra SoC: A Game-Changer in Open RAN Linearization

MaxLinear, a leading provider of wireless infrastructure silicon solutions, has made waves at the Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC 2025) by showcasing the linearization performance of its highly integrated "Sierra" Radio System on Chip (SoC). The Sierra SoC is a disruptive new silicon platform that enables radio vendors to rapidly develop new Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) radio units (O-RUs) with smaller size, lower weight, higher energy efficiency, and maximum system reuse across various RU applications.



At MWC 2025, MaxLinear demonstrated the Sierra SoC's ability to simultaneously linearize four different radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers (PAs) from various suppliers, operating in different bands, with varying output power levels, and using different high power silicon processes. The PAs being linearized included:

* RFHIC's 100W GaN PA (ID19801D)
* Macom's 55W GaN PA (GTRB384608)
* NXP's 9W LDMOS and GaN PA module (A5M36TG140)
* Skyworks' 1W GaAs PA (SKY66525-11)

By successfully linearizing these PAs, the Sierra SoC ensures that they meet spectral emission masks with margin while optimizing their efficiency. This integration of MaxLinear's advanced linearization technology with various PAs from different suppliers significantly improves the overall performance and efficiency of the radio units (RUs).



MaxLinear's proprietary Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) and Crest Factor Reduction (CFR) technology, MaxLIN, plays a crucial role in the linearization process. This technology dramatically improves the energy efficiency of PAs while meeting spectral emission masks with margin. By optimizing resource allocation and balancing efficiency, MaxLIN enables RUs to reduce power consumption, weight, and volume, making them more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

The simultaneous linearization of multiple PAs with different output power levels and silicon processes demonstrates the scalability and versatility of the Sierra Radio SoC solution. This capability allows the Sierra SoC to support a wide range of RU applications, from traditional macro to small cells, and to adapt to various PA technologies and output power levels. By successfully linearizing PAs from different suppliers, the Sierra SoC showcases its ability to work seamlessly with diverse PA technologies, including GaN, LDMOS, and GaAs.

In conclusion, MaxLinear's Sierra Radio SoC has proven to be a game-changer in Open RAN linearization, enabling radio vendors to rapidly develop new O-RUs with smaller size, lower weight, higher energy efficiency, and maximum system reuse across various RU applications. The successful demonstration of the Sierra SoC's linearization performance at MWC 2025 highlights its potential to revolutionize the Open RAN market and drive the global rollout of Open RAN without compromise on network performance or cost.