Programmable Single Chip Allows Seamless Switching Between Multiple
Wireless Bands and Protocols
Mobile World Congress, Barcelona: Hall 2, Stand 2G63
BARCELONA, Spain and LOWELL, Mass., Feb. 11, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Mobile World Congress -- BitWave Semiconductor is today launching its BW1102 Softransceiver(tm) RFIC, the world's first programmable CMOS RF transceiver. The BW1102 product is fully software configurable across all channels in the frequency bands between 700 MHz and 3.8 GHz. This unique capability allows the BW1102 to be configured for multiple wireless protocols such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA, CDMA2K, EVDO, 802.11b/g and 802.16d/e. The BW1102 is a single low cost, low power chip which is being targeted at the cellular handset and femtocell markets.
The new BW1102 Softransceiver RFIC enables wireless consumer applications to seamlessly switch between multiple frequency bands and wireless communication protocols thus ensuring global connectivity for wireless devices. Using the BW1102 in wireless designs allows manufacturers to reduce component count, lower BOM costs and improve time to market. Samples of the BW1102 will begin shipping to customers during the next month and volume production shipments will begin during Q3 2008.
Additionally, the BW1102 can be reconfigured to support new bands, such as the 700 MHz band, becoming available in the U.S. in 2009, or new protocols, such as LTE, the next generation protocol in the UMTS family. The flexibility of multiple wireless bands and multiple protocols of operation is achieved using software mode files, a first in the RFIC industry. This provides the BW1102 Softransceiver with the ability to be at the core of multiple product designs.
For the first time, designers can create a truly global product, which will not only reduce OEM's time to market, but also lowers overall development costs as one product can address multiple markets. BitWave's programmable RF transceivers also lower the BOM cost for handset and femtocell manufacturers since a single chip can replace multiple transceivers which would otherwise be necessary in multi-band/multi-protocol designs.
"With the BW1102 Softransceiver we've made wireless connectivity simple," commented BitWave CEO Michael Farese. "Handset designers can now easily provide one model that works on any network, at any frequency, using any protocol, anywhere. Femtocell manufacturers can future-proof their designs by utilizing the field programmability feature of the BW1102 Softransceiver to upgrade their designs to support additional protocols or bands. The BW1102 is the industry's first software programmable transceiver platform."
BitWave is the first company to offer a single transceiver capable of dynamic reconfiguration between cellular network protocols, wireless data network protocols and personal area network protocols. In addition to supporting a very wide range of wireless voice or data technologies, the BW1102 Softransceiver RFIC also supports multiple baseband processors.
BitWave designed the Softransceiver to have a very small footprint and require minimal external components. The BW1102 is built on a standard digital CMOS process and is supplied in a 7x7 mm PBGA package for low cost and small size. The transceiver integrates all requisite RF, analog, mixed-signal and digital circuitry and also includes built-in test and calibration.
About BitWave Semiconductor
BitWave Semiconductor, Incorporated, is a fabless semiconductor company and developer of the Softransceiver RFIC. Mobile devices using the Softransceiver can operate on multiple frequencies and communication protocols, giving consumers and businesses a broader choice of networks and services. The Softransceiver allows network operators to offer services on demand and allows manufacturers to build a single, low-cost radio that can be used in any network, anytime, anywhere. All of these benefits are achieved while lowering the total bill of materials, increasing phone battery life and increasing radio performance. For more information, go to: www.bitwavesemiconductor.com.