Qualcomm Offers Linux in a CDMA Chipset

Qualcomm has announced support for Linux on the Company's Mobile Station Modem (MSM) chipsets. Availability of Linux supports handset manufacturers who wish to use this platform to design and develop a wide variety of 3G devices.

Linux, implemented within a virtual platform on the MSM, is the first third-party operating system supported by Qualcomm. The integrated, single- chip support for Linux available on the MSM6550 chipset eliminates the need for a separate co-processor and substantially reduces design costs and complexity compared to multiple-chip implementations traditionally required to run a third-party operating system.

"By introducing Linux on the MSM, Qualcomm supports manufacturer partners who wish to leverage existing Linux applications, third-party developers and application catalogs to reduce their software development costs and improve time-to-market," said Dr. Sanjay K. Jha, president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. "We are expanding the software development environment of our chipsets to address the growing market interests for Linux as well as other third-party operating systems."

Support for Linux is available now on the MSM6550 single-chip solution. The MSM6550 chipset includes the BREW solution, supporting preloaded features including user interfaces and enabling OEMs and operators to offer content and application downloads to deliver differentiated features and services to consumers. Other chips in the Enhanced Multimedia Platform, including UMTS, HSDPA, and CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Rev. A, are also planned to support Linux."

Posted to the site on 9th May 2005