ECS EliteGroup demonstrates first dual-mode Mobile WiMAX/EDGE device using Comsys baseband processor

ECS EliteGroup Computer Systems and Comsys Communication & Signal Processing Ltd. have announced that Comsys’ ComMAX CM1125 Multimode Mobile WiMAX/EDGE baseband processor will enable ECS EliteGroup’s new line of mobile WiMAX devices.

ECS EliteGroup will be demonstrating a prototype of their S370 Personal Internet Communicator working on both Mobile WiMAX and GSM networks in their suite at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas on January 8-11, 2008, to coincide with CES (Consumer Electronics Show).
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LG Electronics unveils LTE modem chipset

LG Electronics earlier this month unveiled modem chipsets for its fourth-generation mobile platform - Long Term Evolution or LTE - the first among mobile handset makers in South Korea.

Despite some lingering doubts, LTE has been gaining momentum, with mobile makers eager to lock in on operator commitments by marketing 3G gear that can be later upgraded to LTE.
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Qualcomm halts UMB project, sees no major job cuts

By Sinead Carew (Reuters)

Qualcomm Inc, seeking to cut costs in the face of slowing demand for cell phones, has stopped developing a next-generation wireless technology called Ultra Mobile Broadband and is making small-scale layoffs.

The wireless chip maker will instead put its resources into a rival high-speed technology called Long Term Evolution, which some of its major customers, such as Verizon Wireless, have backed, said Qualcomm Chief Executive Paul Jacobs.
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Multi-Mode WiMAX/LTE Chips to Hit Markets in 2009, finds ABI Research

2009 will see the introduction of a new class of wireless communications chip that features dual-mode support for both WiMAX and LTE, according to ABI Research. The thrust of demand for such chips comes from those wireless device makers seeking to reduce the number of their SKUs; they will welcome the economies of scale that come from creating devices that support both 4G standards.

“Some mobile operators are showing interest in dual-mode chipsets,” says ABI Research principal analyst Philip Solis, “and they are backing it with cash. Vodafone, for example, has a foot in both WiMAX and LTE camps. They will use LTE in industrialized regions, and WiMAX in developing nations. In Japan, KDDI may deploy LTE on its own, but as an investor (along with Intel and others) in WiMAX operator UQ Communications, KDDI has an interest in both standards.”
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Market Forces to Drive Embedded Cellular Modem Sales Over 83 Million Units in 2013

Although embedded cellular modem sales have been slow to take off, momentum is building for increased sales, according to a recent study from ABI Research. One recent development is the GSMA’s Mobile Broadband Service Mark initiative which, backed by media spending of $1 billion, will create awareness of laptops with embedded connectivity.

Other drivers include: Qualcomm’s Gobi chipset that enables modem connectivity on both GSM and CDMA networks; lower mobile broadband pricing; and networks maintaining their current EV-DO Rev A and HSPA air interfaces for at least two more years. ABI Research forecasts that these and other market forces will increase embedded cellular modem sales to nearly $9 billion in 2013.
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Newport Media Demonstrates World’s First Mobile TV System-On-Chip (SOC) for MediaFLO

Newport Media announced sample availability of the world’s first complete single-chip solution for the MediaFLO mobile broadcast platform. The NMI700 FLO mobile digital TV receiver integrates a RF tuner, demodulator, MAC and all required memory into a single monolithic CMOS device that will enable designers of cellular handsets, and non-connected portable devices to deliver the smallest, power-efficient and cost effective products available.

“Sample availability of the NMI700 SOC represents a significant technical and business milestone for Newport Media,” said Mohy Abdelgany, president and chief executive officer for Newport Media. “Newport Media clearly stands alone in its ability to offer best in class SOC solutions for all major commercial mobile TV standards. The addition of a pin-for-pin compatible MediaFLO SOC to our portfolio of DVB-T/H and ISDB-T SOCs will significantly enhance our ability to be the supplier of choice for mobile TV system silicon solutions.”
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Broadcom Raises the Bar in the Mobile TV Market With World’s First Single-Chip 65nm Mobile TV Receivers

Broadcom Corporation announced the world’s first 65 nanometer (nm) digital TV single-chip receivers that support the DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcast-Terrestrial) and DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) standards. The system-on-a-chip (SoC) receivers set a new precedent for radio performance and accommodate the stringent power and size constraints of cellular handsets and other portable devices that offer mobile TV applications. Broadcom’s new mobile TV market solutions will offer compelling improvements that result in longer battery life, better reception and lower costs — enabling mobile TV for the masses.

Broadcom will demonstrate its new mobile TV SoCs at next week’s 2008 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, from February 11th to 14th.
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International Trade Commission Issues Initial Determination in Favor of Nokia; No Qualcomm Patent Infringement Found

Nokia announced on 12 December that a United States International Trade Commission (ITC) judge issued an Initial Determination in favor of Nokia in the action brought by Qualcomm against Nokia alleging patent infringement. The judge found no infringement or violation by Nokia of the three asserted Qualcomm patents. In addition, it was determined that patent ‘473 was found to be invalid.

“We are pleased with Judge Luckern’s decision and believe it is consistent with and supported by the facts,” said Rick Simonson, Chief Financial Officer, Nokia. “This decision confirms our belief that Qualcomm does not have relevant GSM patents. This is another failed attempt by Qualcomm to mislead both Nokia and the telecommunications industry.”
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Qualcomm Announces CDMA2000 and WCDMA UMTS Transceiver for 700 MHz in US

Qualcomm Incorporated a leading developer and innovator of advanced technologies and data solutions, today announced that the Company has added support for CDMA2000 and WCDMA (UMTS) wireless services in the 700 MHz band to its product roadmap. Qualcomm’s RTR6570 transceiver delivers support for the 700 MHz band to CDMA2000 and WCDMA (UMTS) devices. The transceiver also supports all other frequency bands in the United States, including 850 MHz, 1700/2100 MHz, and 1900 MHz for CDMA2000. The RTR6570 is a CMOS transceiver that is scheduled to sample mid-2008, enabling commercial devices to be ready for the first 700 MHz service launches expected as early as the beginning of 2009.

“Qualcomm is pleased to offer the first CMOS transceiver solution offering support for 700 MHz, meeting the needs of any of our customers who will be designing either CDMA2000 or WCDMA (UMTS) devices in that spectrum,” said Steve Brown, senior director of product management for Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. “The RTR6570 will help to ensure the availability of devices when the first services in 700 MHz launch, helping accelerate the commercialization of new application possibilities for wireless users.”

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MediaPhy Unveils All-Segment Single-Chip for Japanese Mobile TV Applications

Following the launch of its multi-standard single-chip offering for global mobile TV applications last month, MediaPhy introduced the second member of its product family, the J-Solo, designed specifically to address the rapidly growing Japanese mobile TV market. The all CMOS single-die J-Solo covers ISDB-T 1-3-13 segments, enabling seamless mobile TV throughout Japan.

Among the most advanced features of the J-Solo device is Smart-Seg. This feature allows seamless switching between 1-seg, 3-seg and 13-seg modes, enabling best quality reception at all times in all locations. Smart-Seg operates by intelligently monitoring a number of reception parameters and automatically selecting the mode that offers the best reception quality. All features of Smart-Seg are user-configurable to manual or automatic modes.
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