Analog Devices Introduces Single-Chip, Quad-Band EDGE Transceiver; New Othello-E radio leverages closed-loop polar modulation to improve linearity and ease design complexity in EDGE handsets.

NORWOOD, Mass. -- Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, today unveiled its single-chip radio transceiver for the EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) cellular standard. Based on Analog Devices' award-winning direct conversion Othello(R) radio architecture, the new Othello-E transceiver integrates virtually all the necessary components, including voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), PLL loop filters and power management, for a complete quad-band EDGE radio design. Additionally, because of its ultra-small packaging, the Othello-E transceiver is among the smallest EDGE transceivers available on the market today. The device can operate in the 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz frequency bands, enabling worldwide coverage.

To achieve the increased linearity necessary for the signals that support EDGE data rates, Analog Devices Othello-E radio leverages a high-performance logarithmic RF power detector to enable a closed-loop polar modulation transmitter design, which also contributes to better manufacturability and reduced design complexity. Closed-loop polar modulation is an improvement over open-loop polar designs which require close matching of the transceiver and power amplifier. The Othello-E radio complements Analog Devices' Blackfin(R) SoftFone(R) for EDGE baseband chipset, one of the most successful open-market EDGE baseband processors, which is currently featured in EDGE mobile devices from leading wireless device manufacturers.

"We have experienced great success with our SoftFone EDGE baseband processors over the past two years and we are excited to now offer our EDGE customers the benefits of our innovative Othello radio architecture in a single-chip solution," said Christian Kermarrec, vice president, RF and wireless systems, Analog Devices, Inc. "There is renewed interest for EDGE throughout the world as a low-cost upgrade to existing 2G networks, and as a reliable, high-speed fallback technology for cellular operators launching 3G networks."

According to data from the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association), 116 GSM/EDGE networks have launched commercial services in 70 countries. The GSA also found that 169 operators in 91 countries have committed to EDGE deployments. Illustrating the role of EDGE as a complementary technology to 3G networks, the GSA found that there are 55 operators deploying both EDGE and WCDMA, with 23 combined networks now in commercial service.

About Analog Devices Othello-E Transceiver

Analog Devices Othello-E transceiver (part number AD6546) is a single-chip solution combining all the radio and power management functions for an ultra-compact, cost-effective EDGE radio. It includes separate low-noise amplifiers (LNA) for all four GSM bands (850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz) and a fractional-N PLL synthesizer with integrated VCO and loop filter for local oscillator (LO) generation. An on-chip high-accuracy logarithmic power detector enables the closed-loop polar modulation, and ensures compatibility with power amplifiers from multiple suppliers while maintaining loop stability. In addition, the closed-loop architecture maintains stable, reliable, spec-compliant performance regardless of variations in PA characteristics due to manufacturing process variations, component aging, temperature, or frequency. On-chip voltage regulators enable direct connection to the battery supply, eliminating the external regulators needed by other transceivers and reducing BOM component count and PC board area.

The new Othello-E radio also complements Analog Devices' family of SoftFone baseband chipsets for EDGE wireless terminals. ADI's SoftFone chipsets are entirely RAM-based, thereby providing handset manufacturers with the flexibility to support changes in cellular standards and/or customize features and options for a wide range of phones by simply changing software and without the need to add new hardware. Together, SoftFone and Othello enable substantial BOM savings while maintaining flexibility, providing benefits to handset manufacturers and operators.

About Analog Devices in Wireless Handsets

As a leading supplier of components to the GSM industry since 1990, Analog Devices has built a portfolio of solutions for mobile devices that leverages high-performance analog and DSP core technology. As customer needs have evolved, ADI's wireless terminal product portfolio has advanced from DSP and analog building-block components to highly integrated chipsets and turnkey reference designs. Included in the company's vast array of technologies for wireless terminals are sophisticated digital baseband processors, advanced analog and mixed-signal data conversion, power management, lens drivers, analog interface ICs, radio frequency ICs, RF power detectors and MEMS-based sensors. These products include a number of industry firsts, such as the Othello family--the world's first open-market direct-conversion radio chipset; and Analog Devices' SoftFone platform, the first RAM-based digital baseband processor, which enables wireless terminal device manufacturers to easily customize user features and options entirely in software, while incorporating breakthrough advancements in power consumption, cost and size. Analog Devices' wireless chipsets leverage the company's high-performance signal processing expertise and are designed with a unique systems understanding approach.

Availability

The Othello-E radio is sampling now. A demo of the product will be featured at Analog Devices' booth (#1201) at the upcoming 3G World Congress & Exhibition in Hong Kong from November 16-18.

About Analog Devices, Inc.

Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest-standing, highest-growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "ADI" and is included in the S&P 500 Index. www.analog.com.

Blackfin, Othello and SoftFone are registered trademarks of Analog Devices, Inc. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners.