TigerSHARC for 3G Base Station Development

27th April , 2004

US : Analog Devices announced that it has collaborated with Ericsson to develop a programmable baseband platform based on Analog Devices' TigerSHARC(R) Processor for WCDMA base stations. The Ericsson base stations leverage the programmability and unique memory structure of the TigerSHARC ADSP-TS201 Processor to deliver telecommunications service providers systems that are lower in cost, scalable in capacity, and enable the rapid deployment of new features and media-rich content in a mobile environment.

The TigerSHARC Processor design-in demonstrates the commitment of Analog Devices, a supplier to Ericsson of analog semiconductors, to leverage its signal processing expertise -- both analog and digital -- to help customers develop best-in-class products, according to Jerald G. Fishman, president and chief executive officer of Analog Devices, Inc. "Ericsson's incorporation of the TigerSHARC Processor in its cellular base station technology is one proof point supporting our objective to offer our customers a constantly growing menu of industry-leading technology options," said Fishman. "This important design win represents the next phase in what we expect will be a strong and enduring collaboration with Ericsson."

Software-defined Baseband Processor Investment Provides Flexibility for Growth

Unlike conventional base stations that rely on custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to perform chip-rate baseband processing, the TigerSHARC Processor's programmable architecture enables Ericsson to create a full software-defined baseband processing implementation for Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) and to easily add new features as they emerge. Furthermore, by investing in an all-software solution today, Ericsson will be able to leverage this software investment in future base station designs with dramatically reduced engineering effort.

The TigerSHARC Processor's programmability additionally guarantees rapid compliance with standards such as High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), which is a WCDMA specification that dramatically increases base station-to-mobile handset downlink speeds in 3G wireless systems. In a handset, for example, HSDPA-compliant networks allow users to access packet-based multimedia content at up to 14 Mbps -- which is five times faster than existing technology. The result is that consumers switching to emerging 3G mobile phone service will experience a marked improvement in their ability to access a range of multimedia content. In addition, because the TigerSHARC-enabled software baseband processing technology promotes scalable 3G system architectures, it allows wireless infrastructure equipment developers to configure base stations to serve a local office, an office complex or an entire wireless cell site.

In Europe the technology standard WCDMA is also known as UMTS.

About Analog Devices

Analog Devices is a leading manufacturer of precision high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications. The company is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 8,600 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Analog Devices' stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the company is included in the S&P 500 Index.

TigerSHARC is a registered trademark of Analog Devices, Inc. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners.

TODAY'S PRESS RELEASES
All Material Subject to Copyright. All logos, graphics and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Home ProZone Subscribe To Newsletter 3G Forum