February 17, 2003 — National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM), the world’s premier analog company, today introduced the most highly integrated system solution for GSM/GPRS handsets. The system solution integrates critical analog and wireless capabilities --- such as audio, power management, Bluetooth™ connectivity, imaging interface, baseband and RF --- into module and chipset platforms for mobile phone manufacturers. Leveraging National’s expertise in the design, packaging and manufacture of analog products, the integrated module and chipset provide high quality sound, longer battery life and imaging functionality for the complete spectrum of GSM/GPRS phones. The integrated chipset offers customers the ability to fully customize their solutions; the module is designed for ODMs/OEMs who need a complete GSM/GPRS engine for fast time-to-market. Both the chipset and module come with full development kits.
“With this system solution for the GSM/GPRS market, National is a one-stop shop for cell phone manufacturers,” said Jean-Louis Bories, executive vice president of National’s Wireless and IA Group. “Building upon our strong portfolio in analog design, we offer everything from power management and audio technology to complete GSM/GPRS chipsets and modules to meet the needs of our customers.”
The GSM/GPRS module, the LMX3888, is being demonstrated now at the 3GSM World Congress in National’s booth, K-17, in Hall 4.
About the LMX3888 Module
The LMX3888 module is compact, power-efficient and highly integrated, boasting features such as on-chip polyphonic ringer, speakerphone and stereo MP3 capabilities. The module is based on National’s GSM/GPRS chipset, which consists of the LMX3413 analog power unit, the LMX3415 digital baseband, and a complete quad-band, very low power radio.
“Integration is the only way for phone manufacturers to save space in their handset designs, while also incorporating popular new phone features,” said Bories. “National Semiconductor’s GSM/GPRS chipset and module, with their high level of analog and Bluetooth connectivity integration, free up crucial space on the phone board and simplify the design process.”
A dual-band module, National’s LMX3888 is designed to provide phone manufacturers with complete, turnkey solutions for designing GSM/GPRS mobile handsets. The module is a complete mobile phone engine, packaged, tested and ready for placement in a phone. Using a fully integrated chipset module, OEMs and ODMs can focus their design energies on optimizing the display, antenna, plastics and user interface of the phone design, enabling faster time to market with minimal research.
The LMX3888 includes an integrated Bluetooth Link Manager, USB, CMOS camera interface, SD/MMC interface, voice recognition, voice memo, handsfree speakerphone, MP3, EMS and MMS in a sophisticated GSM/GPRS Class B-10 product offering. The LMX3888 measures just 33 mm by 38 mm by 3.6 mm and is packaged as a single-sided, BGA-mounted package designed for high volume manufacturing and easy placement on many styles of phone boards. Other versions of the module will support tri- and quad-band operation.
The GSM/GPRS Module Development Kit
National also has a GSM/GPRS module development kit designed for mobile phone manufacturers who are interested in customizing and reducing the cost of their handset designs for an even greater degree of competitiveness and flexibility. The kit includes a module development board, module reference design, and development and test tools.
Availability
The chipset and module are currently sampling to select customers and will be available for general sampling in June 2003.
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; displays; information infrastructure, and information appliances. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $1.5 billion for its most recent fiscal year and has about 10,000 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.
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