Analog, Philips each show GSM chip sets
By Darrell Dunn and Mark LaPedus
Electronic Buyers' News
NORWOOD, Mass. -- The Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) cellular handset market has gained design momentum with the separate introduction of new chip sets from Analog Devices Inc. and Philips Semiconductors.
While standards such as CDMA and TDMA are expected to begin to compete strongly, particularly for 3G handset applications, GSM-based handsets are expected to continue to lead in total shipments for the next few years, said Will Strauss, an analyst with Forward Concepts in Tempe, Ariz.
GSM cellular phone unit shipments totaled 125.6 million in 1999, up 42% from 1998, according to the Wireless2000 study by Micrologic Research and Forward Concepts. By 2004, GSM shipments are expected to exceed 250 million, compared with 180 million CDMA phones, and 48 million TDMA phones?.
Future generation GSM chip sets are likely to incorporate ADI's latest-generation 219x DSP architecture, or the DSP architecture being co-develop by ADI and Intel Corp., as well as future generation ARM cores, Grant said. The AD20msp430 is sampling now. Production is planned for August, with a price of $15 each in quantities of 100,000.
semibiznews.com
Looks like the Intel deal is bearing fruit. That's good news also. ADI's GSM stuff looks pretty good with the solid reductions in part count, power req. and footprint.
Jim |
