Silicon Laboratories Introduces World's Smallest, Most Integrated GSM/GPRS Transceiver
AUSTIN, Texas - March 5, 2001 - Silicon Laboratories Inc. today introduced the Aero(TM) GSM transceiver chipset, which is based on the company's patented CMOS RF technology. The Aero chipset provides a complete RF front end for dual and triple band GSM digital cellular handsets. The highly integrated solution eliminates the IF SAW filter, external low noise amplifiers (LNA) for three bands, transmit and RF voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) modules and more than 60 other discrete components found in conventional GSM handset designs. This level of integration is an enabling force in dramatically lowering the cost, simplifying the design and shrinking the form factor of the RF circuitry in GSM voice and data terminals. As the industry's first 100 percent CMOS GSM transceiver, the Aero chipset is the most significant step towards the industry goal of a single chip radio.
The Aero transceiver provides a universal analog baseband interface which is software-programmable and allows handset designers to implement the Aero RF front end with any supplier's baseband subsystem. The Aero transceiver is also compliant with General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) Class 12 and asymmetric EDGE requirements, supporting high data rate communications for Internet-enabled wireless terminals.
"This announcement strengthens Silicon Labs' position as the industry's innovator in CMOS RF technology," said Ed Healy, vice president and general manager of Silicon Labs' Wireless Products Division. "The Aero transceiver brings a level of integration to the RF front-end that is unprecedented. The combination of the universal baseband interface, Silicon Labs' high performance RF synthesizer technology and the low-cost CMOS implementation make the Aero transceiver the best choice for new GSM handset designs. We believe that our level of integration and performance will be a strong enabling force for the next generation voice and data terminals. As more multimedia functions are integrated into handsets, board space is at a premium. The Aero transceiver is the only product of its kind addressing that issue without reliance on overly complex design requirements as seen in some direct conversion transceivers."
A cellular handset has two primary subsystems, RF and baseband. Typically, a different manufacturer supplies each subsystem, requiring the handset designer to choose an RF front-end that is compatible with the preferred baseband subsystem. Silicon Labs' universal baseband interface is programmable via simple software commands enabling it to operate with any baseband solution. This programmability gives the handset designer great design flexibility and allows the designer to enhance the RF subsystem with the latest technology without redesigning the baseband portion of the phone.
Additionally, the Aero transceiver is fully compliant with GPRS Class 12 requirements, meaning that it can support even the most stringent GPRS requirements. GPRS complements existing cellular technology with high-speed data communications, bringing Internet, email and network connection capabilities to the mobile computing environment. GPRS capabilities are available in most next generation GSM cellular handsets.
Pricing and Availability The Aero transceiver includes: the 32-lead micro-leadframe package (MLP) Si4200 transceiver; 20-lead MLP Si4201 baseband interface; and 28-lead MLP Si4133T RF synthesizer. The Aero chipset is offered at $8.62 in quantities of 10,000. Samples are available now and volume production will begin in the second quarter of 2001. An evaluation board, Si4200-EVB, is available for US$350.
Silicon Laboratories Silicon Laboratories Inc. designs, manufactures and markets proprietary high-performance mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) for the wireless, wireline and optical communications industries. Silicon Laboratories is an ISO9001-certified manufacturer and has applied for over 80 patents on its mixed-signal technology. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is based in Austin, Texas.
Cautionary Language This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on Silicon Laboratories' current expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Silicon Laboratories believes that it is important to communicate the company's future expectations to investors. However, there may be events in the future that Silicon Laboratories is not able to accurately predict or control. For a discussion of these and other factors which could impact Silicon Labs' financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, please refer to Silicon Labs' recent filings with the SEC, particularly the Form 10-K filed January 22, 2001, and the Registration Statement on Form S-1 for Silicon Labs' initial public offering, as consummated on March 23, 2000.
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