Broadcom Announces 65nm Single-Chip EDGE System Solution

Barcelona, Spain -- 3GSM World Congress -- Broadcom Corporation announced the immediate availability of a new EDGE processor that combines the components needed for advanced multimedia phones on a single monolithic chip. Estimated by market research firm iSuppli to grow to 470 million units in 2010, the EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) technology segment is the single largest in the mobile phone market, and the largest communications semiconductor total available market (TAM) opportunity.

Designed in 65 nanometer CMOS process technology, the new Broadcom EDGE processor integrates an EDGE RF transceiver, all of the analog and digital baseband functions, and high performance multimedia and connectivity support. The new single-chip solution accommodates small board space and slim designs.

The BCM21331 processor provides the radio frequency, mixed-signal, digital and analog technology integration, coupled with low power consumption and small form factor available, made possible through use of the 65nm process. With integrated RF circuitry, the BCM21331 EDGE processor enables handset manufacturers to introduce a tiered line of EDGE mobile phones based on one solution, from very low cost, high volume handsets to feature-rich multimedia phones.

"Consumers today demand fashionable phones with MP3 players, cameras and advanced video, but are unwilling to pay a significant premium for these capabilities," said Yossi Cohen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom's Mobile Platforms Group. "Broadcom is first-to-market with a single- chip 65nm EDGE solution that introduces a new level of EDGE handset affordability, and also delivers rich multimedia, blazing fast connectivity and long battery-life. Through amazing engineering execution, we were able to leapfrog our competition, and can now enable our partners to meet the most demanding consumer challenges of tomorrow."

"This new integrated solution sampling this month demonstrates the product evolution that can be achieved through the kind of extreme integration that has driven Broadcom's success in several wireless markets," said Allen Nogee, Principal Analyst, Wireless Technology for In-Stat. "The size, cost, performance and power consumption of Broadcom's 65nm EDGE implementation will give handset makers a compelling solution for delivering cost-effective multimedia features across their entire product line."

SOURCE: Broadcom Corporation