Clark, Engineer... Can you comment on this announcement of a new GSM chipset from ADI? They are tossing around some pretty spectacular numbers for standby, talktime, and datarates. Are these figures achievable in the near term or are they blowing smoke here? Is there any reason similar techniques could not do the same for cdma systems?
Thanks and best regards,
Jim
Analog Devices Delivers World's First Open-Market
GSM Direct Conversion Radio Chipset
ADI's Othello chipset features breakthrough RF technology.
NORWOOD, Mass., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI)
disclosed today the industry's first open-market GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communications) direct conversion radio chipset, featuring a revolutionary radio
architecture that provides 30-50 percent savings in cost and size for
next-generation dual-band and triple-band GSM phones.
The chipset, named Othello(TM), features breakthrough radio frequency (RF)
technology, which allows incoming signals to be converted directly to baseband,
and includes significant improvements in power consumption. The chipset enables
up to 1,000 hours of standby time for GSM cellular phones, allowing users to go 1
1/2 months without having to recharge a phone. In addition, Othello paves the way
for next-generation cellular phones by enabling data rates 25 to 30 times greater
than today's GSM data rates of 14.4 kbps, making possible high-bandwidth
applications such as web browsing, email, games and real-time video.
"Direct conversion is viewed as an ultimate radio architecture due to the many
advantages that it presents," said Andy Seybold, editor-in-chief, 'Seybold's
Outlook.' "With Analog Devices' Othello and its direct conversion technology,
tremendous advances have been made in battery life, size reduction of the radio,
and support and capabilities for future cellular standards such as GPRS and
EDGE."
The Othello chipset solution is based on the company's new patent-pending direct
conversion architecture and features a greatly simplified approach to traditional
radio architecture. Direct conversion technology reduces cost, component count,
and power consumption, yet is also able to address emerging standards such as
EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
and 3G (Third Generation Cellular). ADI's architecture lowers manufacturing costs
by eliminating the need for intermediate frequency devices, the most expensive
components of the radio. In addition, the chipset is fully compliant with GSM
standards and enables manufacturers to upgrade easily and adapt their products to
multi-mode and multi-slot data applications.
"Siemens recognizes this as breakthrough technology, which helps to save cost,
power and space in future GSM handheld devices," said Florian Seiche, director of
business strategy, Siemens, Munich, Germany.
"Analog Devices draws upon its expertise in GSM technology and RF signal
processing to develop a world-class solution that accomplishes today what the
industry has been seeking for many years," said Russ Johnsen, vice president,
Communications Products Division, Analog Devices. "Analog Devices' superior
analog and mixed-signal processing capabilities have made direct conversion a
reality. Othello was designed with a true systems knowledge and represents the
first available direct conversion solution for complex digital radio."
"By taking an RF system approach to radio integration, rather than a
semiconductor manufacturing approach, Analog Devices' Othello trumps many of
its RF competitors in the race toward single-chip radio," said Allen Leibovitch,
program manager, IDC's Semiconductor Research Program.
About the Othello Chipset
Othello is a two-chip solution consisting of the AD6523 transceiver and the AD6524
synthesizer. The Othello chipset will begin sampling in the fourth quarter of 1999.
More information on pricing and general availability is scheduled to follow in the first
quarter of 2000.
Analog Devices in Communications
Analog Devices is recognized for its unparalleled technical capabilities in analog,
digital and mixed-signal processing used in RF signal processing, data conversion,
interfaces and total system design. The company develops and offers customers a
wide range of innovative wireless and broadband wired communications products
including solutions for GSM; CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access); cellular base
stations/"software" radio; RF and IF (intermediate frequency) circuits and xDSL.
About Analog Devices, Inc.
With sales of $1.23 billion for fiscal 1998, Analog Devices is a leading manufacturer
of precision high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal
processing applications. Headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, the company
employs approximately 7,000 people worldwide and has manufacturing facilities in
Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, the Philippines and Taiwan.
Othello is a trademark of Analog Devices, Inc.
READERS SHOULD CONTACT:
Analog Devices, Inc.
Ray Stata Technology Center
804 Woburn Street
Wilmington, MA 01887
800-ANALOGD
or (800-262-5643)
SOURCE Analog Devices, Inc. |
