Conexant Expands Portfolio Of Radio Frequency Subsystems With Solution For TDMA Wireless Phones
Scott Allen
Conexant Systems, Inc.
949-483-6849
scott.allen@conexant.com
Judy
Anderson or Heather McLaughlin
Benjamin Group/BSMG Worldwide
949-260-1300
judy_anderson@benjamingroup.com
Conexant
Expands Portfolio Of Radio Frequency Subsystems
With Solution For TDMA Wireless Phones
Spanning The World's Wireless Standards, Conexant Radio Frequency (RF) Solutions Deliver Industry-Leading Integration
Newport
Beach, Calif., June 13, 2000
- Conexant Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNXT) today announced that it has
expanded its family of RF subsystems with a new offering for IS-136-compliant
time division multiple access (TDMA) cellular phones. Now providing
RF subsystems for TDMA, code division multiple access (CDMA) and global
system for mobile communications (GSM) handsets, Conexant is the industry's
only supplier of complete, highly-integrated RF chipsets for all three
of the world's most popular
wireless standards.
Conexant's latest RF subsystem is a triple-mode, dual-band radio frequency
integrated circuit (RFIC) solution for TDMA/advanced mobile phone system
(AMPS) cellular phones. Triple-mode, dual-band functionality allows
users to benefit from increased coverage by operating over multiple
networks. This RF subsystem consists of a transmit and receive application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC). When combined with Conexant's TDMA
power amplifier, these devices provide a complete, highly-integrated
RF subsystem for TDMA phones. Conexant's integrated solution reduces
component count and board space versus discrete solutions, giving phone
manufacturers a significant time-to-market and cost advantage.
Together, TDMA, CDMA and GSM phones are expected to account for 97 percent
of the global wireless market by 2004, according to The Strategis Group
analyst firm. The EMC World Cellular Database reports that IS-136 TDMA
subscribers grew from 16.2 million in 1998 to 36.6 million subscribers
in 1999, and is expected to grow 62% in 2000.
"Conexant's TDMA RF ASIC solution offers customers the highest level
of integration
for the radio subsystem in a tri-mode TDMA handset. The two-chip solution
allows customers to bring competitive TDMA handsets to market quickly,"
said Mohy Abdelgany, vice president, RF components and subsystems of
Conexant's Wireless Communications Division. "With few modifications,
the solution will support emerging EDGE requirements - the migration
path to third generation (3G) wireless communications for TDMA
network operators."
Existing TDMA and GSM networks can accommodate a new air modulation
technology called enhanced data for GSM evolution (EDGE), a stepping
stone to 3G wireless communications. EDGE will use current TDMA and
GSM frequency bands, network equipment and radio sites, and in effect,
unify these two standards so users can
access wireless multimedia services across both networks on a global
basis.
Technical Information
Conexant's TDMA RF subsystem is comprised of two devices, both designed
to increase battery life in the user's phone. The transmit ASIC is a
triple-mode, dual-band transmitter and consumes less than 90 mAmps current
at full operational power, extending talk time. The receive ASIC includes
virtually all the necessary functions for
a radio receiver system. The device's current consumption is less then
30 mAmps, extending standby time.
Both the transmit and receive ASICs are packaged in a 48-pin thin quad
flat pack (TQFP) or 7 x 7-millimeter land grid array (LGA). Available
now, the pair of ASICs are priced at less than $8 in production quantities.
About TDMA
TDMA is a digital enhancement to the analog AMPS. The first digital
cellular standard deployed in the Americas, TDMA can accommodate three
times as many users as AMPS. In addition to transmitting voice calls,
TDMA also supports data, fax, short message services and broadcast messages.
Plus, users of mobile phones enjoy extended battery life and talk time
because the phone only transmits during a fraction of the time while
the call takes place. TDMA is also attractive for cellular operators
because base station equipment, space and maintenance are less expensive
than for competing standards.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements relating to future results of
the company (including certain projections and business trends) that
are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as
a result of certain risks and uncertainties.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: global
and market conditions, including, but not limited
to, the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the markets
addressed by the company's and its customers' products; demand for and
market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development
of new products; the timing of new product introductions; the availability
and extent of utilization of manufacturing capacity; pricing pressures
and other competitive factors; changes in product mix; fluctuations
in manufacturing yields; product obsolescence; the ability to develop
and implement new technologies and to obtain protection of the related
intellectual property; the successful implementation of the company's
diversification strategy and restructuring plan; labor relations of
the company, its customers and suppliers; and the uncertainties of litigation,
as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited
to those detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made
only as of the date hereof, and the
company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Other brands and names contained in this release are the
property of their respective owners.
About Conexant Systems, Inc.
With a revenue run-rate
of approximately $2 billion per year, Conexant is the world's largest
independent company focused exclusively on providing semiconductor solutions
for communications electronics. With more than 30 years
of experience in developing communications technology, the company draws
upon its expertise in mixed-signal processing to deliver integrated
systems and semiconductor products for a broad range of communications
applications. These products facilitate communications worldwide through
wireline voice and data communications networks, cordless and cellular
wireless telephony systems, personal imaging devices and equipment,
and emerging cable and wireless broadband communications networks. The
company aligns its business into five product platforms: Network Access,
Wireless Communications, Digital Infotainment, Personal Imaging, and
Personal Computing. Conexant is a member of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100
Indices. For more information, visit Conexant at www.conexant.com.