Broadcom Launches EDGE Handset Design

Broadcom Corporation says that it is sampling a complete cellular handset platform that enables handset manufacturers to develop EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) handsets. Broadcom's field-proven EDGE cellular platform is centered on the Broadcom BCM2132 single-chip EDGE/GPRS/GSM multimedia baseband processor, enabling high-speed, multi-slot Class 12 data rates of more than 236 Kbps over GSM-based networks.

Broadcom has collaborated with a number of operators, infrastructure vendors and interoperability testing labs to enable the rapid testing and resolution of EDGE test cases and recently demonstrated better than 200 Kbps streaming and Internet browsing over an EDGE network. In addition, products using Broadcom's EDGE technology recently passed FCC radio testing and Broadcom anticipates that such devices will be shipping in volume production in the third quarter of 2003. In the same timeframe, Broadcom is planning to release its EDGE platform that meets the latest Release 99 protocol stack specifications, enabling operators to offer enhanced network and terminal features.

Broadcom's complete EDGE platform for handset and PC cards solves the complex Radio Frequency (RF) design challenges critical for manufacturing EDGE cellular technology. In addition, Broadcom has already completed exhaustive four-slot receive EDGE testing using all EDGE channel-coding schemes, including incremental redundancy, designed to improve data throughput in areas with low signal strength. Broadcom's BCM2132 single-chip, mixed-signal baseband and RF design EDGE platform solution, demonstrate Broadcom's leadership and ability to provide customers with a world-class solution with early time-to-market advantages.

"Operator interest worldwide in EDGE has significantly increased this year as carriers see continued delays in UMTS. Many are now considering EDGE network upgrades as a high-speed enhancement that utilizes existing spectrum with a minimal investment," said Allen Nogee, Senior Analyst for Instat/MDR. "The bandwidth enabled by four-slot solutions will make EDGE increasingly attractive, while Broadcom's ability to bring EDGE technology to market quickly with turn-key reference designs and testing support will simplify the process for handset manufacturers deploying next generation EDGE handsets with high data rate capabilities."

Broadcom's EDGE software/hardware partitioning is unique in that the key radio modem and protocol functions are handled by dedicated hardware and thus do not require the use of a high-speed DSP core to deliver four-slot EDGE functionality. This partitioning, coupled with a novel incremental redundancy implementation that requires very low DSP and ARM processor instructions, results in low power consumption and leaves more processing power available to run multimedia applications."

Posted to the site on 23rd June 2003