Broadcom Demonstrates Linux® OS Support on Its CellAirity(TM) Platform for Low Cost Smartphone Handsets
BARCELONA, Spain, 3GSM World Congress, Feb. 14 // -- Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that it will demonstrate the flexibility of its cellular platform with a new reference design that can run powerful applications on the Linux(R) operating system. By providing High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) solutions, with integrated applications processors and the ability to support the major open operating system (OpenOS) architectures, Broadcom can now supply the key hardware and software components required for affordable smartphones. This combined capability will help drive adoption of these high-end handset products, which are expected to achieve volumes of 230 million units by 2010 according to market research firm iSuppli.(1)
Increased integration of high-speed cellular technologies and applications processing will significantly drive down hardware costs for advanced smartphones that are capable of running the feature-rich applications that consumers expect. These smartphone devices, equipped with powerful applications processors, are able to run open operating systems such as Linux, Symbian(R) and Windows Mobile(TM), addressing each platform and its set of extensive tools for applications development. The high cost and complexity of the historical two-chip smartphone architecture (modem and applications processor) has resulted in high costs and low penetration of these feature-rich devices.
"Based on the cost, size and power advantages enabled by our recently announced BCM2153 HSDPA baseband processor, Broadcom is poised to support various open operating systems through our CellAirity platform that will drive this new chip to more widespread deployment," said David Foos, Senior Product Marketing Manager for Broadcom's Mobile Communications line of business. "Our Linux HSDPA reference design highlights this unique value for Broadcom customers and demonstrates the viability of offering an OpenOS architecture on an affordable smartphone or high-end feature phone product."
As manufacturers ramp up their smartphone offerings, Broadcom is positioned to accommodate any major OpenOS with a complete hardware and software reference design as part of its CellAirity platform. At this year's 3GSM World Congress, Broadcom demonstrates its new OpenOS model with a Linux OS-based reference design that is targeted to be fully LiMo-compliant. The OpenOS model is in contrast to phones that run embedded Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) since they are closed, proprietary architectures that typically do not offer the level of functionality or support provided by more powerful OpenOS approaches.
To round out the platform capabilities, CellAirity software includes support for major connectivity interfaces, such as Bluetooth(R) and Wi-Fi(R), and includes a built-in multimedia processor for up to 5 megapixel cameras, multimedia encode and decode at 30 frames per second at CIF or QVGA resolutions, 64-voice polyphonic ringtones, and integrated audio amplifiers to support full duplex speaker phones. Additional software features within the platform also enables phone calls within 3G networks and the ability to capture and display various phone operations.
About Broadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Our products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. Broadcom provides the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything(R).
Broadcom, one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies with unaudited annual 2006 revenue of $3.67 billion, is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at +1.949.926.5000 or at www.broadcom.com.
Broadcom(R), the pulse logo, Connecting everything(R), the Connecting everything logo and CellAirity(TM) are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. Linux(R) is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Symbian(R) is a trademark of Symbian Limited. Windows Mobile(TM) is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Bluetooth(R) is a trademark of the Bluetooth SIG. Wi-Fi(R) is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
Broadcom Technical Contact
David Foos
Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Cellular
858-521-5874
dfoos@broadcom.com
(1) Source: iSupply DFT 2H2006
Source: Broadcom Corporation; BRCM Mobile & Wireless
Web site: www.broadcom.com/
