Freescale engaged with Japan mobile phone companies for next-generation 3G WCDMA RF solutions

Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL, FSL.B) is developing a highly integrated, single chip RF solution for 3G mobile phones. Targeted for the Japan market, this RF solution supports tri-band WCDMA and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE.

The RF solution is based on Freescale's advanced 90nm RFCMOS process technology and delivers an antenna-to-bits functionality in a single chip. Additionally, it is capable of meeting Category 8 HSDPA and HSUPA requirements.

"Freescale has extensive experience in providing 3G WCDMA and GSM/GPRS/EDGE solutions," said Kiyohito Nagata, vice president and managing director of Product Department, NTT DoCoMo. "Freescale's RF technologies are expected to enable cost-efficient, high-quality handsets with roaming capability, small size and low power."

Freescale utilizes its extensive patent portfolio to provide a highly integrated digital radio. This allows manufacturers the ability to add features such as MP3 players, Bluetooth(tm) connectivity, digital cameras, DVB-H and GPS, while reducing handset size.

"While some companies are still experimenting with early generations of RF systems, Freescale is developing fifth-generation solutions with our advanced 90nm RFCMOS wafer process technology," said Franz Fink, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale's Wireless and Mobile Systems Group. "We are very pleased getting expectations from a worldwide carrier like NTTDoCoMo, and it underscores Freescale's leadership in providing cutting-edge RF solutions for the cellular handset market."

According to research firm Strategy Analytics, an estimated one billion subscribers will enjoy 3G services by 2010 with a compound annual growth rate of 71 percent over the next five years.