DECT phone chip on the route to CAT-iq compliance

Handsets developed by RTX using SiTel's single-chip DECT telephone silicon are among the first products to achieve the initial step towards full CAT-iq certification.

SiTel Semiconductor and RTX Telecom have successfully completed the first stage of interoperability testing for the CAT-iq (Cordless Advanced Technology - Internet and Quality) standard.

By complying with the CAT-iq (vb) profile, cordless handsets developed by RTX using SiTel's single-chip DECT telephone silicon are among the first products to achieve this initial step towards full CAT-iq certification.

"We are very proud to have reached this milestone - one that clearly highlights SiTel and RTX's commitment to supporting DECT developments and the CAT-iq standard", says Rene Kohlmann, CTO of Sitel.

"As the first to bring CAT-iq (vb) compliant, single-chip semiconductor solutions to the market, we are helping our customers deliver the exciting consumer products and innovative features for wireless home communications and entertainment that this new standard enables".

"The CAT-iq implementation from SiTel and RTX demonstrates our dedication to be leading suppliers of solutions for the DECT cordless market", said Jens Jungersen, Vice President of RTX Telecom.

"Among other compelling features we believe CAT-iq will bring attention to the all important audio quality of our communication devices, to the great benefit of the consumer and by that to our customers".

The handsets were tested by Cetecom at a DECT Forum IOP Event in Saarbrucken, Germany on 30th October 2007.

Interoperability is a central issue in CAT-iq, and will become even more important as the range of available CAT-iq solutions grows beyond cordless phones.

Through its IOP Events, the DECT Forum aims to fine tune all possible implementations of CAT-iq to be compatible with each other and ensure a high level of interoperability.

"I'm very pleased to see SiTel and RTX successfully passing the IOP tests", said Eric Kamperschroer, Chairman of the DECT Forum.

"The wideband voice profile is the first profile providing basic interoperability and the availability of compliant silicon and handsets gives real momentum to the worldwide adoption of CAT-iq".

The CAT-iq (vb) profile targets cost-effective cordless phones offering standard telephony services.

The profile ensures basic GAP interoperability plus backwards compatibility with DECT and PSTN.

It supports narrowband (G.726) and wideband (G.722) communication for both the fixed part (FP) and portable part (PP) of a system, allowing for up to one narrowband and two wideband calls within a CAT-iq system.

In addition, it provides for calling line identification presentation (CLIP) on external calls.

Back to top