Intel Announces 'Wireless-Internet-on-a-Chip' for Cell Phones; Industry's First Single-Chip Cellular Processor Combines Computing, Memory and Communications Functions
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2003--Intel
Corporation today announced a new cellular processor that uses
advanced "wireless-Internet-on-a-chip" technology.
The highly integrated microchip is the first to combine the key
components of today's cellular phones and handheld computers onto a
single piece of silicon -- promising to bring advanced functionality,
longer battery life and more innovative phone designs to mainstream
phones.
Called the Intel(R) PXA800F cellular processor, it is a key
component of the Intel(R) Personal Internet Client Architecture
(Intel(R) PCA), Intel's development blueprint for designing wireless
handheld communication devices that combine voice communications and
Internet access capabilities.
In creating unique "wireless-Internet-on-a-chip" technology, Intel
engineers overcame significant technical hurdles associated with
combining the different design and manufacturing technologies for
processing, flash memory and communications functions. The Intel
PXA800F cellular processor is built using a single process to place
all key components onto one chip using the industry's leading
.13-micron silicon manufacturing technology.
"Intel's ability to provide communications, computing and memory
functions in a single chip is unmatched in the industry and promises
to deliver outstanding performance, greater versatility and a richer
experience to cell phone users worldwide," said Hans Geyer, Intel vice
president and general manager of its PCA Components Group. "As the
industry transitions from voice-only phones to advanced devices that
combine voice and data, the ability to effectively and efficiently
combine advanced processing, memory and communications technologies
will be required to drive the next-generation of cell phones."
Bringing High-End Capability to Mainstream Cell Phones
Today, feature-rich phones that include integrated camera, color
screen, and games have multiple components, and represent the most
expensive and sophisticated portion of the cell phone market segment.
However, history has demonstrated that when more capabilities are put
on a single chip, the functionality of the device increases and
production costs decrease.
By combining multiple functions through silicon integration, Intel
has delivered a cellular processor with higher performance, lower
power, and increased reliability that increases the capabilities of a
mainstream, data-enabled cell phone.
The First "All-in-One" Processor for Cell Phones
The Intel PXA800F cellular processor features a high-performance,
low-power processor running at 312 MHz based on the Intel(R)
XScale(TM) technology with four megabytes of integrated Intel(R)
On-Chip Flash memory and 512 kilobytes (KB) of SRAM for industry
leading application performance. In addition, the Intel PXA800F
cellular processor includes a 104 MHz signal processor using the
Intel(R) MicroSignal architecture with 512 KB of integrated Intel
On-Chip Flash memory and 64 KB of SRAM, resulting in a complete system
on a single chip for advanced GSM/GPRS cellular networks.
Industry Support
The increasing availability of mobile content and the emergence of
worldwide wireless data standards are driving the development of a new
generation of data-enabled wireless devices for businesses and
consumers. To assist phone manufacturers with the rapid development
and deployment of wireless devices, applications and services, Intel
has worked with communications industry leaders including TTPCom
Ltd.*, Esmertec*, Elektrobit*, ADI*, RF Micro Devices, Inc.*, Dialog*
and Jamdat* to offer a complete communications system in support of
the Intel PXA800F cellular processor.
From power management modules to mixed signal and radio frequency
capabilities to form-fit reference designs, this platform speeds the
development process by supplying key software and hardware components
to enable rapid production of GSM/GPRS handsets.
Pricing and Availability
The Intel PXA800F cellular processor is sampling today with
production volumes expected in the third quarter of 2003. Products
using the new processors will be available later this year, or early
next year. The Intel PXA800F cellular processor has a suggested list
price of $35 (US) in 10,000 unit quantities. More information on the
new processors can be found at www.intel.com/info/gprs.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading
manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products.
Additional information about Intel is available at
www.intel.com/pressroom.
Intel, Intel StrataFlash and XScale are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United
States and other countries.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
(Note to Editors: High-resolution pictures, animation and more are
located at Intel's online press room at
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/wireless.)
CONTACT: Intel
Mark Miller, 916/356-3767
mark.o.miller@intel.com