Analog Devices Makes Mobile Multimedia Content More Accessible to End Users by Integrating New Functions in Low-Cost GSM/GPRS Cellular Handsets.

New SoftFone[R] Baseband Processors Reduce Component Count While Improving Image Quality and Sound in Low-Cost Phones

NORWOOD, Mass. -- Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in semiconductors for signal processing applications, today announced the availability of two highly integrated baseband processors designed to enable multimedia functions in low-cost GSM/GPRS cellular phones. The new SoftFone[R] AD6721 reduces the cost and component count of entry-level multimedia phones, and the SoftFone AD6722 adds an integrated image signal processor (ISP) for cameras up to 3 Megapixels and direct camera interface to eliminate the need for a separate camera coprocessor. Together, the devices bring a wealth of multimedia functionality to low-cost handsets, including both improved image quality and better sound.

These new devices are based on Analog Devices' award-winning RAM-based SoftFone[R] architecture, which for the past seven years has provided handset designers with unparalleled levels of flexibility, power savings and performance. Driven by the success and market acceptance of the SoftFone architecture, SoftFone devices are found in hundreds of GSM/GPRS/EDGE mobile phone models from dozens of manufacturers on networks around the world.

"Multimedia functionality is no longer reserved for only high-end, expensive cellular phones," said Christian Kermarrec, vice president, RF and Wireless Systems, Analog Devices, Inc. "Lower end handsets are also expected to have camera phone capabilities, MP3 and AAC audio playback for both ring tones and full-track music files. However, handset manufacturers have been limited in their cost-reduction plans by the cost of multimedia coprocessors that have generally been needed in phones with these capabilities. Our new SoftFone products address this by bringing a high level of multimedia functionality and eliminating the coprocessors."

The SoftFone AD6721 (Atlas-2H) and AD6722 (Dione) multimedia baseband processors leverage Analog Devices' DSP technology and an ARM7 TDMI[TM] microcontroller to perform both the communications and audio/video signal processing tasks in media-rich handsets. The AD6722, manufactured in a 90 nm process, includes an integrated ISP and direct interface to cameras (up to three Megapixels) and QVGA displays. The ISP, which provides JPEG encoding and decoding, color conversion, auto focus sharpness measurement, scaling and overlay control functions, eliminates the need for camera coprocessors and dramatically lowers the cost of low-cost multimedia phones by several dollars.

Both SoftFone devices also include a wide range of peripheral interfaces, including USB; an IrDA[R] transceiver, which brings infrared capabilities to the handset; an SD/MMC card interface for removable storage; and multiple programmable serial and parallel ports. The analog functions include voiceband codec, stereo audio converters and speaker/headphone amplifiers, and multiple analog audio channels for hands-free speakerphone operation and FM radio connection. The radio interface also provides seamless connection to the company's award-winning AD6548 Othello-G direct-conversion quad-band GPRS transceiver. The AD6721 and AD6722 also include a complete power management subsystem, consisting of multiple voltage regulators, battery charging control, and direct battery connection.

The AD6721 and AD6722 are software-compatible with previous GSM/GPRS SoftFone baseband processors. Protocol stack and applications software is also available for each device, provided directly by Analog Devices.

Availability

The SoftFone AD6721 and AD6722 multimedia baseband chipsets are available now. Please contact Analog Devices for pricing information.

About Analog Devices in Wireless Handsets

As a leading supplier of components to the cellular handset 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 iMEMS[R]-based motion sensors. These products include a number of industry firsts, such as the Othello[R] family--the world's first open-market direct-conversion radio; 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.

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.