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News Release from: Freescale Semiconductor | Subject: 2.5G Innovative Convergence Platform
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 20 September 2001
Platform points the way to 2.5G handset
design
Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector has unveiled its 2.5G Innovative Convergence Platform - a comprehensive silicon-to-software solution for 2.5G GSM/GPRS wireless handsets.
Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector has unveiled its 2.5G Innovative Convergence Platform - a comprehensive silicon-to-software solution for 2.5G GSM/GPRS wireless handsets This scalable, highly integrated platform combines an advanced chipset with an industry-leading development environment, field-proven GPRS protocol software, type certification support, and best-in-class system cost to support a complete range of voice-centric, voice/data, and data-centric products
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 20 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The new platform, which is designed to help global OEMs develop state-of-the-art products to enable anytime, anywhere communication for consumers, joins Motorola's broad GPRS product portfolio.
The 2.5G Innovative Convergence Platform represents the third life cycle of Motorola GPRS chipset solutions-technology that embodies 70 years of wireless expertise, 50 years in semiconductors, and two decades of leadership in the cellular industry.
This groundbreaking chipset is both Enhanced Data GSM Evolution (EDGE)-receive and GPRS Class 12-capable, and supports two dual-band configurations for regional customisation: either 900/1800MHz or 850/1900MHz.
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The chipset includes four main ICs, representing significant advances in system integration and semiconductor manufacturing.
The dual-core baseband processor IC combines the DSP56600 and ARM7 TDMI cores in a 0.13-micron copper-based device.
Embedded memory minimises the need for external Flash, removes the SRAM used in current platforms and, because memory is no longer accessed off-chip, reduces system power consumption and gives consumers a longer battery life.
The front end IC combines Motorola's mainstream RF BiCMOS technology with a single SiGe:C process step.
The SiGe:C also offers, right on-chip, a wide variety of high quality/accuracy active and passive devices, including copper inductors - thereby heightening the cost-efficiency of wireless applications.
The power management and audio circuit uses Motorola's cost-effective SMARTMOST 5 technology.
A medium-voltage mixed-signal BiCMOS process integrates high-performance analogue circuitry, intelligent digital control and power-capable devices.
Finally, the power amplifier module is based on Motorola's indium gallium phosphide heterojunction bipolar transistor (InGaP HBT) technology, and integrates - in a single package - two power amplifiers, a single-pole four-throw antenna switch, harmonic filters, couplers, and power detection circuitry.
The resulting silicon-in-package (SiP) capability reduces overall system cost, while also improving performance with the validated chipset.
To help manufacturers meet customers' rising demands for speed, connectivity, and plentiful mobile applications, the 2.5G Innovative Convergence Platform combines a mature, field-proven GPRS protocol stack and certified communication protocol software with a comprehensive integrated development environment (IDE).
The mature, field-tested GPRS architecture maximises bandwidth to offer "always-on" connectivity and proven interoperability with a range of portable devices: PDAs, cellphones, laptops, web tablets and more.
A range of additional aids further enhances platform development and speeds time to market: a radio test environment (RTE), which enhances radio development and performance optimisation; a manufacturing test environment (MTE), used to meet type approval and production line test requirements; a reference MMI that speeds time to market by providing a typical cellular application feature-set; a FTA (field type approval) reference design in a phone form factor reduces customer cycle time and investment; and extensive third-party solutions.
Built on a flexible open architecture, the 2.5G Innovative Convergence Platform is expandable to EDGE and scalable to 3G systems such as the ultra-fast 2Mbit/s UMTS and W-CDMA standards.
The platform allows manufacturers to use faster data services over existing GSM carriers, generating revenue immediately while gaining the ability to migrate to 3G technology in the near future.
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