ASIA China : Analog Devices announced that dual-mode 3G TD-SCDMA/GSM operation has been achieved on ADI's SoftFone(R)-LCR chipset. Recent testing completed on networks from two leading telecommunications operators in China demonstrated that Datang Mobile's DTivy(TM) A2000 Dual-mode Handset Solution, powered by ADI's SoftFone-LCR chipset, proved successful operating in GSM and 3G TD-SCDMA modes and switching between networks.

Developed by Datang Mobile, the inventor of the 3G TD-SCDMA standard, in conjunction with Analog Devices, the DTivy--A Solutions are a series of reference designs, which provide all of the necessary hardware and software to develop a 3G TD-SCDMA phone suitable for volume production. These products, offered in single- or dual-mode, provide fast time-to-market to manufacturers of a wide range of 3G TD-SCDMA products, from voice-centric phones, to high-end camera phones, camcorder phones, music phones, and video phones.

Dual-mode operation is a critical success factor and necessity as 3G networks continue to evolve and deploy. Without this capability, cellular handset users may lose coverage when entering areas that have yet to deploy 3G TD-SCDMA technology. Dual-mode handsets are designed to solve this problem by providing service on either 2/2.5G GSM/GPRS or 3G TD-SCDMA networks. With dual-mode handsets, users can enjoy high-speed data applications with 3G TD-SCDMA coverage, and be guaranteed GSM cellular coverage in areas where 3G TD-SCDMA coverage is not available.

"With dual-mode operation now proven successful on leading cellular networks in China, this is a major milestone for 3G TD-SCDMA technology and for the DTivy-A 2000 Solution and our SoftFone-LCR chipset," said Christian Kermarrec, vice president, RF and wireless systems, Analog Devices, Inc. "The ability to operate on either GSM or 3G TD-SCDMA networks will accelerate the deployment and customer acceptance of TD-SCDMA technology."

As the world's only single-vendor supplier of baseband and RF silicon solutions for TD-SCDMA handsets, Analog Devices is uniquely positioned to optimize system partitioning and drive optimally integrated hardware solutions that reduce system power consumption, BOM component count and cost and form-factor PCB area for customers. In addition, since all of the components of the chipset are available through a single supplier rather than having to purchase through multiple companies or a consortium, the supply chain management process is greatly streamlined.

About Analog Devices SoftFone-LCR Chipset

Analog Devices' SoftFone-LCR chipset provides all the critical functions necessary to build a 3G TD-SCDMA handset, including the baseband signal processing and control, analog-interface functions and radio. It is based on the popular RAM-based SoftFone architecture also used in Analog Devices' GSM/GPRS, EDGE and W-CDMA chipsets. ADI's SoftFone-LCR Dual-mode chipset consists of five chips, including a digital baseband processor based on the company's Blackfin(R) Processor, achieving more than 250 MHz performance and exceptionally low power consumption through its Dynamic Power Management capability. The SoftFone-LCR's baseband signal processing, including joint detection and decoding, is performed entirely in software running on the embedded Blackfin Processor instead of a hardware implementation as used in other manufacturers' chipsets. Not possible with any other chipsets, this software-based approach allows terminal developers to quickly and easily adapt to evolutionary changes in the LCR standard.

In addition, the SoftFone-LCR chipset also includes the Othello(R)-W direct-conversion radio transceiver, offering solid performance and flexibility for either LCR time division duplex (TDD) or W-CDMA frequency division duplex (FDD) terminals. For dual-mode operation, the chipset adds the award-winning Othello-G transceiver, which enables the world's smallest GSM/GPRS radio. Additionally, the SoftFone-LCR's analog baseband and power management IC provides a full set of audio features, as well as efficient power management. The SoftFone-LCR chipset includes interfaces for cameras, color displays, IR, USB and SD/MMC, allowing handset manufacturers to create several designs with varying levels of feature sets for a wide range of phone models.

The dual-mode TD-SCDMA software is provided by Datang Mobile and includes GSM protocol stack software from Sasken Communication Technologies Ltd. Sasken's flexible GSM stack architecture enabled seamless integration into the dual-mode solution and its maturity ensures fast time-to-market.

About Datang Mobile

Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co., Ltd, registered and established in Beijing on February 8, 2002, is one of the core members of Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group. The company headquarters in Beijing, with one subsidiary in Shanghai and on branch in Xi'an. Taking its excellent innovation and long-term accumulation, Datang Mobile is dedicated to the research and development of TD-SCDMA, a homegrown international 3G standard. With the operation principle of 'joint development, virtual manufacture and entrusted operation,' and on the basis of its self-own core intellectual property right and the whole series products including infrastructure and terminal, Datang Mobile is committed to providing the total solution for the customers in the area of public and private communication networks.