ST-Ericsson Extends EDGE Leadership with Fully Integrated Single-Chip Solutions for Feature-Rich, Low-Cost Handsets

– ST-Ericsson today announced 4910 and 4908 EDGE platforms for next-generation, low-cost handsets. Combining the industry’s highest level of integration and cost-efficiency, the mass-market 4910 and entry-level 4908 EDGE platforms integrate both digital and analog basebands, RF transceiver and power management unit (PMU) in a single chip. In addition, these single-chip solutions provide exceptional multimedia and connectivity features, best-in-class security, and the industry’s longest battery life to deliver new levels of rich multimedia content to entry-level cell phone users.
 
Developed for emerging and cost-sensitive wireless markets, 4908 and 4910 are fully-integrated EDGE platforms offering the industry’s lowest bill of materials while delivering the premium multimedia, Internet content and exceptional performance that consumers worldwide expect. With this introduction, ST-Ericsson marks a breakthrough in the cost-to-feature ratio for mass-market EDGE handsets and enables OEMs to build competitively priced, high-quality products.
 
“As wireless connectivity proliferates across the entire globe so are consumer expectations for the ultimate user experience. Entry-level cell phone users now desire the same value-added applications available in today’s more mature wireless markets, including high-quality video capture and hi-fi stereo Bluetooth music,” said Marc Cetto, Vice President Cellular Systems and Connectivity, ST-Ericsson. “With our latest single-chip solutions ST-Ericsson is building on its expertise in RF, analog and mixed-signal integration to raise the bar and bring features like rich multimedia and fast Internet downloads to users, while still meeting the same level of affordability necessary in cost-conscious markets.”
 
4908 and 4910 EDGE platforms will be available in mass production in early 2010. For more information, please visit http://www.stericsson.com/platforms/edge_4910.jsp.
 
ST-Ericsson’s third-generation, single-chip solutions leverage the core technology used in the company’s production-proven single-chip as well as multimedia-enabled products to offer rich content and connectivity features that translate into a more enjoyable user experience in emerging markets, North America and Europe. The HW-accelerated multimedia in 4910 and 4908 EDGE platforms allow MIPS-intensive tasks to be offloaded from the CPU and delivers required performance with a smaller and more power-efficient design.
 
Robust hardware-based security ensures ample protection against hacking, resulting in more secure designs for the entire value chain. Strong RF performance coupled with a mature telecom protocol stack tested across 50 operator networks enables excellent call quality in remote areas with sparse network coverage as well as congested urban environments. Furthermore, minimal power consumption extends battery life, thus allowing users to spend more time talking, listening to their favorite MP3s or creating videos between battery recharges.
 
For the fastest possible time to market, 4910 and 4908 hardware reference designs are accompanied by a flexible, pre-integrated and fully validated software solution that also reduces R&D expenses.
 
Key features of the mass-market 4910 EDGE platform include:

• EDGE uplink and downlink
• Up to 3 megapixel camera support with < 1-sec shot-to-shot delay
• MPEG4 QVGA decode
• USB High speed following the CEA936-A specification
• 4bits SD card support
• Robust hardware-based security

Key features of the entry-level 4908 EDGE platform include:

• EDGE downlink
• Up to 2 megapixel camera support with < 1-sec shot-to-shot delay
• MPEG4 QCIF decode
• USB full speed following the CEA936-A specification
• 4bits SD card support
• Robust hardware-based security

ST-Ericsson is a world leader in developing and delivering a complete portfolio of innovative mobile platforms and cutting-edge wireless semiconductor solutions across the broad spectrum of mobile technologies. The company is a leading supplier to the top handset manufacturers and ST-Ericsson’s products and technologies enable more than half of all phones in use today. The global company of 8,000 people generated pro-forma sales of about USD 3.6 billion in 2008. ST-Ericsson was established as a 50/50 joint venture by STMicroelectronics and Ericsson in February 2009, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. More information about ST-Ericsson is available at www.stericsson.com.