News and New Products

Chip set shrinks EDGE phones to smaller than business-card size

By Nicholas Cravotta -- EDN, 4/15/2004

Texas Instruments has announced the TCS3500, an EDGE (enhanced-data-rates-for-GSM-evolution) chip set in a form factor one-half the size of a business card. The device comes with a hardware and software reference design for creating EDGE-based smart phones, feature phones, and PDAs. Targeted applications include multimedia, gaming, camera functions, and video. The reference design supports leading mobile operating systems, including Symbian OS, Microsoft's Windows Mobile, Linux, and Palmsource, as well as Nokia’s Series 60 terminal-software platform and multiple third-party Java platforms. Support of standard real-time operating systems, such as Nucleus, offers a migration path for feature-rich GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) phones moving toward EDGE.

The EDGE protocol stack integrates the various operating systems, which carriers validate, and is Class12-capable. Future support will include extended dynamic allocation, DTM (dual-transfer mode), SAIC (single-antenna-interference cancellation), and dual-mode UMTS/EDGE.

The pre-field-test-approval-certified reference design offers three integrated modules for optional capabilities. The Version 1.2-certified Bluetooth module coexists with WiFi; has active- and shutdown power consumption of 12 mA and 6 μA, respectively; and integrates base-band, digital-RF, and antenna switch in a 4.5×4.5-mm package. The wireless-LAN module supports 802.11a/b/g, has a single 20-MHz clock, supports 2.4- and 5-GHz speeds, and requires no external memory. The programmable, cellular-modem-air-interface-independent A-GPS (assisted-Global Positioning System) module supports current and future standards and can maneuver between stand-alone, mobile-station-assisted, and mobile-station-based modes.

TI based the OMAP850 application processor on the OMAP730 with added EDGE capabilities, support for camera sensors with resolutions as high as 2 million pixels, enhanced frame-buffer-interface data rate, DDR support, and hardware-based security for e-commerce, digital-rights management, and antivirus protection. The TCS3500 sells $35 (10,000), and samples will be available in this quarter.

Texas Instruments Inc, www.ti.com.