QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies Introduces
Revolutionary Radio Frequency Architecture for
CDMA Market
radioOne Zero Intermediate Frequency Radios Will Reduce Complexity, Cost and Size of
Multi-Band and Multi-Mode Handsets
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2000-- QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM - news) today announced radioOne(TM), a revolutionary new technology for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) transceivers that uses Zero Intermediate Frequency (ZIF), or a direct conversion, architecture for the wireless handset market. Unlike traditional CDMA radios, which convert radio frequency (RF) signals to and from baseband in multiple steps -- converting RF to or from intermediate frequency (IF), then converting IF to or from baseband -- ZIF radios convert incoming RF signals directly to or from baseband analog signals. This direct conversion eliminates the need for large IF Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filters and additional IF circuitry, which significantly reduces the bill of materials (BOM), resulting in cost-effective multi-band and multi-mode handsets that can be produced in smaller form factors.
``ZIF architecture has been the holy grail of many wireless communications standards,'' said Don Schrock, president of QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. ``By developing radioOne, QUALCOMM will help enable the rapid and cost-effective development of third-generation world phones capable of operating in multiple bands and modes.''
Until now, direct conversion for CDMA has been technically challenging because of the stringent interference specifications with which CDMA phones must comply. radioOne solves this problem by using new, advanced techniques developed by QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies (QCT) to enable high-dynamic-range receivers.
The radioOne technology also incorporates the frequency synthesis and passive elements used in converting baseband signals to and from RF. Specifically, the radioOne chipset will incorporate the transmit local oscillator and phase locked loop for CDMA as well as all of the active RF circuitry used to process Global Positioning System (GPS) data. As a result, the parts count and area are reduced approximately 50 percent compared to other available solutions. A single external local oscillator
is used for the CDMA receiver, which will provide the capabilities needed to operate on systems around the world, and will simplify the procurement of parts and the cost of designing CDMA handsets.
In addition to size and manufacturing cost benefits, radioOne radios will provide an estimated 20 percent improvement in talk times for CDMA handsets. In combination with the cdma2000 1x mode, radioOne technology will enable handsets to increase standby times approximately five-fold over currently available CDMA handsets. radioOne technology is expected to be incorporated in QCT's next generation of cdma2000 1x/1xEV/GPS and Wideband CDMA (WCDMA)/GPS products, with chip sampling expected to begin in the fourth quarter of calendar 2001. Applications for other third-generation multi-band and multi-mode wireless standards, including Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) are expected to follow.
QCT, a division of QUALCOMM Incorporated, is a developer and supplier of CDMA chipsets, hardware and software solutions, and tools, with more than 118 million cumulative shipments of Mobile Station Modem (MSM(TM)) chips worldwide. QCT offers wireless position location technology by SnapTrack(TM), a wholly owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM. QCT supplies chipsets to the world's leading CDMA handset and infrastructure manufacturers including: Acer Peripherals, Inc., ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.; FUJITSU LIMITED; Hitachi, Ltd.; Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.; KYOCERA CORPORATION; LG Information and Communications, Ltd.; Samsung Electronics Ltd.; SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.; and Toshiba Corporation, among others.
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