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Analog Devices Adds W-CDMA/UMTS Chipset to Arsenal of Technologies for 3G Cellular Handsets
Monday November 15, 8:02 am ET
New Chipset Offers Multi-Mode GSM/GPRS/EDGE and W-CDMA Operation to Enable Seamless Migration on Worldwide 3G Networks

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/041115/155488_1.html

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2004-- Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI - News), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, today announced plans to add SoftFone®-W to its broad portfolio of technologies for 3G mobile handsets. The SoftFone-W is a complete handset solution - from baseband through radio - featuring full support for the W-CDMA/UMTS standard, which enables multi-mode operation of W-CDMA as well as GSM/GPRS and EDGE. By offering support for 2.5G technologies such as EDGE, the SoftFone-W chipset enables truly ubiquitous voice and data connectivity over a vast majority of the world's cellular communications networks.
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ADI's SoftFone-W chipset features W-CDMA protocol stack software from TTPCom of Cambridge, England, and is based on ADI's award-winning and patented Blackfin® Processor and Othello® direct conversion radio technology, as well as ADI's mixed-signal and power management technology. The Blackfin Processor core performs functions such as signal modulation, channel equalization, and speech coding to deliver voice capabilities and high-speed data services. The Othello direct conversion radio technology simplifies traditional radio designs by allowing incoming radio frequency signals to be converted directly to baseband signals, eliminating the need for intermediate frequency, among the most expensive components of the radio.

The SoftFone-W chipset complements Analog Devices' existing 3G technologies, which includes a TD-SCDMA chipset also announced today. With support for both W-CDMA and TD-SCDMA handsets, Analog Devices can now bring its innovative semiconductor technology to over two-thirds of the world's 3G cellular networks.

"Our experience in supplying successful, field-proven GSM/GPRS and EDGE chipsets to the wireless market was a key enabler in developing our W-CDMA/UMTS solution and the multi-mode support it offers, which is an underlying goal of any 3G network," said Christian Kermarrec, vice president, RF and wireless systems, Analog Devices, Inc. "We have been working with TTPCom for more than 10 years on handset platforms for GSM/GPRS and EDGE, and we are delighted to be partnering with them again on the SoftFone platform for our mutual customers' W-CDMA/UMTS handsets."

"Carriers and OEMs are ramping up W-CDMA handset designs to meet growing demand. "We are very pleased to extend our longstanding and successful relationship with Analog Devices and to deliver a new platform for the development of compact multimedia devices that combines W-CDMA with EDGE/GPRS/GSM," stated Richard Walker, Managing Director of TTPCom's Software Business Unit. "The combination of TTPCom's protocol and application software with ADI's SoftFone chipsets is one of the most widely used independent platforms in the industry. We are firmly committed to continuing the success that we've had in GPRS, where we have over 50 licensees; into EDGE, where our software delivers industry leading data rates; and now into 3G."

"Highly integrated merchant-market chipsets are a requirement to move the handset market past the cost and power efficiency problems that have affected early-generation UMTS handsets," said Allen Leibovitch, manager, wireless and consumer semiconductor research at IDC. "Compatibility with EDGE will soon become a requirement for UMTS handsets, as operators want to provide smoother 3G migration, and it will be a differentiating factor for chipsets."

About the SoftFone-W Chipset

Analog Devices' SoftFone-W chipset is built on the popular RAM-based SoftFone architecture used in the company's GSM/GPRS and EDGE chipsets. The SoftFone-W chipset incorporates a digital baseband processor that is based on Analog Devices' high-performance, yet extremely low power Blackfin Processor. A multi-mode analog baseband and Othello direct conversion radio, supporting W-CDMA and GSM/GPRS/EDGE, are also included. TTPCom of Cambridge, England supplies the protocol stack and applications software for the SoftFone-W chipset.

About W-CDMA and UMTS

W-CDMA is one of the fastest-growing areas of the wireless communications market. It is a third-generation (3G) mobile wireless technology that delivers much higher data speeds to mobile and portable wireless devices than 2G and 2.5G systems. W-CDMA/UMTS enables broadband, packet-based transmission of text, digitized voice, video and multimedia at data rates up to 2 Mbps and offers a consistent set of services to mobile computer and phone users no matter where they are located in the world.

About TTPCom Ltd.

Based in Cambridge, UK, TTPCom Ltd. is the principal operating subsidiary of TTP Communications plc (LSE: TTC - News). The company develops intellectual property used in the design and manufacture of wireless communication terminals and during 2003 over 20 million devices using TTPCom's digital cellular technology were sold. TTPCom has established a world leading position with its GPRS, EDGE and 3G protocol software; offers rapid customization of handsets through its AJAR applications framework; and for those manufacturers for whom a fast time to market is critical, TTPCom also offers complete handset and module designs. More information can be found on http://www.ttpcom.com.

About Analog Devices, Inc.

Analog Devices, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of precision high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications. ADI is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 9,000 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, and the Philippines. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and ADI is included in the S&P 500 Index.

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



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Contact:
Analog Devices, Inc.
Colleen Cronin, 781-937-1622
[e-mail]
or
Porter Novelli
Ricky Gradwohl, 408-369-1500 ext. 631
[e-mail]



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Source: Analog Devices, Inc.