VLSI Technology Inc. is bolstering its modem chipset offerings with a complete reference design solution to enable developers to quickly enter the market for Cellular Digital Packet Data applications.
VLSI designs and manufactures semiconductors for the computer, consumer entertainment and communications industries. With nearly $600 million in annual sales, the company boasts that three out of every 10 digital cellular telephones around the world have VLSI chips inside.
Now the San Jose, Calif.-based company wants to apply those core competencies to the emerging wireless data market in a way that demystifies CDPD modem technology for the applications developer and helps cut design costs and time-to-market.
The new Geode CDPD reference design solution integrates VLSI’s Ruby II 32-bit RISC processor and a separate radio interface integrated circuit called Topaz. Along with the two-chip CDPD modem, the company said it provides reference documentation-including schematics, bill-of-materials and certification-that gives engineers a complete reference design for data-only mobile-end system applications for short data bursts.
Potential applications include telemetry systems for utilities, vending and transportation, dispatch and tracking of fleet vehicles and point-of-sale field connection to national services such as credit card and check authorization networks.
By integrating its chipset into a box including the radio, VLSI can demonstrate to developers that the total cost is competitive and help them build the business case for vertical market applications, according to Carl Temme, senior marketing engineer for wireless products.
“Vertical markets are looking for three things-price, price, price,” he said, and with the Geode reference design solution, “We’ve hit the price point and reduced the fear factor.”
Don Ciffone, vice president and general manager of VLSI Technology, said that with the reference design, his company has compiled and tested a complete modem, giving designers a platform upon which to develop their applications.
“Engineers can now modify these CDPD reference designs to fit their specific application. This creates faster, more accurate design cycles and helps to ensure our customers of both reduced development cost and shorter time-to-market. To complete our total design support effort, we have also included development tools, on-site customer training, full documentation as well as technical support,” he said.
