CUPERTINO, Calif.-Driven by the emerging Interim Standard-136 digital cellular market, DSP Communications Inc. and NEC Electronics Inc. said they plan to jointly introduce a new chipset.
DSPC has agreed to develop the baseband hardware and software technology for the chipset and NEC will manufacture it. Both companies plan to market the IS-136 chipset and sell it to licensed manufacturers.
“DSPC’s advanced wireless system and algorithmic experience, coupled with NEC’s powerful semiconductor technology, will result in a chipset that meets the specifications outlined in the IS-136 standard and provides the added features and functionality required by our customers,” commented Rick Kepple, cellular products manager for NEC.
In designing the new chipset, DSPC plans to provide a solution with lower system cost and power consumption, said Shaul Berger, vice president of marketing and sales for DSPC.
To simplify migration to the new chipset, DSPC and NEC’s IS-136 chipset will be pin compatible with IS-54B, enabling original equipment manufacturers to begin new product development immediately. Engineering samples of the chipset are expected to be available fourth quarter.
IS-54B, which uses Time Division Multiple Access technology, supports voice communications in both analog and digital cellular systems. IS-136 adds the features of short messaging services, data support, data security and longer battery life.
