davenn, b4bb4ge
You're saying different things.
Which one is correct ?
Does a transciever have an integrated RF front end circuit on the same IC?
Or does it need to be connected to an external RF front end IC ?
The front end may be part of the IC depending on what that IC is, you havent told us anything about the application
or it may be a discrete device ... transistor, FET, MMIC on the same PCB and immediately prior to the receiver IC where down conversion and demodulation take place
The front end
ALWAYS refers to the first RF receiver amplifier ( excluding any externally cabled preamplifier)
You asked a generic question ... I have given you an answer to suit your question My post #2 is correct
B4bb4ge 's answer in post #5 is not correct .... as he/she is referring to parts outside then main unit ... TX power amp, RX preamp, Antenna
Items that hang off the coax cable between the transceiver ( or individual TX and RX units) and the antenna
Obviously, in something like a mobile ( cell) phone and all the antenna, TX/RX switching and filtering are all on the same PCB as the transmitter and receiver circuitry
And with that style of electronics, LSI chips are common ( many functions done across several chips)
BUT the RX frontend is STILL the first device that sees and amplifys the received signal be it a discrete device or something built into a chip
There is a BIG difference
Dave