Qualcomm Develops 3G Chip Set; Completes Deal with Ericsson

In a move to keep its application-specific IC (ASIC) business strength in the wireless market, Qualcomm Inc. has unveiled a hardware and software solution for third-generation (3G) wireless designs. According to the San Diego, CA-based company, the new solution, designated MSM5000, meets the cdma2000 wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) specifications submitted by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA); Arlington, VA) to the International Trade Union (Geneva, Switzerland).

The MSM5000 chipset and system software, Qualcomm's seventh-generation MSM, builds upon the architecture of Qualcomm's fifth-generation MSM3000 (See Qualcomm Ships CDMA Chip Set). The MSM5000 interfaces to Qualcomm's RF devices, the Q5312 analog baseband processor (BBA2), the Q5500 IF receive automatic gain control (AGC) amplifier, the Q5505 IF transmit AGC Amplifier, and the IFR3000 and IFT3000 IF to baseband converters.

Key features of the MSM5000 chip include voice V1 on all radio configurations, packet data P1 using both fundamental and supplemental channels, and support for fast power control for improved voice quality. Pin-compatible with the MSM3000, the MSM5000 will be available in the same 176-ball fine pitched ball grid array (FBGA) package and 196-ball plastic BGA PBGA packages.

Completed agreement
Qualcomm also announced this week that it has concluded its agreement with Ericsson. Under the pact, Stockholm, Sweden-based Ericsson has purchased Qualcomm's terrestrial CDMA wireless infrastructure business, which includes R&D resources in San Diego and Boulder, CO. The transaction, previously announced in March, also resolves all disputes globally between the companies relating to CDMA technology.

During their March announcement, Ericsson and Qualcomm agreed to support a single CDMA standard with three optional modes for the next generation of wireless communications (see Ericsson, Qualcomm Merge W-CDMA Proposals). In addition, Qualcomm and Ericsson entered into cross licensing agreements for their respective patent portfolios and settled their pending patent infringement litigation.

Now that the transaction is complete, approximately 1,200 Qualcomm employees in San Diego and Boulder are being transferred to Ericsson.