At 3GSM this week, Broadcom unveiled a smartphone SoC (system-on-chip) that integrates an HSDPA baseband modem with application, audio, and multimedia processors on a single monolithic chip. The BCM2153 HEDGE (HSDPA+EDGE) multimedia baseband processor reduces board space, cost, and power requirements, thus eliminating the cost premium associated with HSDPA handsets, according to the company.

HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) handsets typically require additional processing capabilities to support open operating systems like Linux, Windows Mobile, and Symbian, as well as to address the larger amounts of multimedia data made available through the network connection. Additionally, HSDPA handset designs generally incorporate additional multimedia processors and audio components. All of this results in substantial power, space, and cost penalties, keeping these phones at a cost premium, Broadcom says.

BCM2153 block diagram
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Broadcom's new device integrates a 7.2 Mbps Category 8 HSDPA modem together with a 312 MHz ARM11 CPU. The company claims the new mixed-signal device is the first to be developed completely in a 65 nanometer CMOS process.

Multimedia capabilities include support for up to 3.2 megapixel cameras, TV-out functionality for displaying phone content on standard televisions, 30 fps video capture and playback at CIF or QVGA resolutions using MPEG4, H.263, or H.264, and support for the T-DMB and DVB-H mobile TV standards. Touted audio features include integrated 64-voice polyphonic ringtones, stereo audio DACs, and two pairs of stereo audio amplifiers to support multiple speaker options, including stereo output, speaker phones, and MP3 headset playback.

An on-chip 480 Mbps USB 2.0 OTG port with integrated PHY enables rapid content transfer to and from the phone.

Typical BCM2153-based system design
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Yossi Cohen, senior VP of Broadcom's Mobile Platforms Group, stated, “Broadcom has developed the first true 'smartphone-on-a-chip' that can support cutting edge multimedia and connectivity while maintaining the additional processing power required to run a complete open operating system. Our partners will appreciate the flexibility our new processor provides, breaking up existing limitations and opening new possibilities for a full range of HSDPA handset designs.”

Availability

Broadcom says the BCM2153 HSDPA baseband processor is currently sampling to “early access customers.” Pricing was not disclosed.

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