Blowing the Doors Off Performance: ABI Research Sees Transmit Diversity Coming to the Mobile Phone.

OYSTER BAY, N.Y. -- Since the mobile phone is a very price-sensitive product, engineers will find ways to eliminate a component worth just a few cents in order to reduce costs in a segment where volumes run to 700 million units a year.

So, asks ABI Research's principal analyst of semiconductor research Alan Varghese, why would they even think about incorporating "diversity" technology in the handset, requiring two antennas and two radio frequency chains with all their associated circuitry?

"The answer," he says, "lies in the increasing demand for data services in the cellphone. Applications such as gaming and sharing of pictures, music and video demand a shift from the asymmetric high downlink data rates of the past to a more symmetrical speed requirement. The performance of the uplink (always the weaker link in the system) will become critical."

Some ways to optimize the uplink involve new performance-enhancing algorithms and protocols, but they would require industry consensus and approval by standards bodies, which could take years. Another method is to increase base station coverage and use methods such as frequency planning and sectorization, but those are expensive propositions.

Enter diversity in the handset. Early studies indicate up to a 7 dB increase in performance which will translate to increased error-free symmetric traffic, improved network coverage and spectrum, longer battery life and more satisfied customers.

ABI Research has launched a completely restructured Wireless Semiconductors Research Service, a suite of annual subscription products containing annual research reports, a user-searchable industry database, quarterly "market updates", and special reports examining developments in Asia.

In addition, it examines the technology and the market for cellphone ICs such as the power amplifier, RF transceiver, baseband, applications processor, camera module and newer modules such as Wi-Fi and GPS. Lastly, it also focuses on the deployment of EDGE, 3G cellular, and HSDPA worldwide.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations that support annual research programs, quarterly intelligence services and market reports in wireless, automotive, semiconductors, broadband, and energy. Their market research products can be found on the Web at www.abiresearch.com, or by calling 516.624.2500.