3G Single Core Modem

1. 3G Single Core Modem A New Telecommunications Device Group 4: Warren Irwin, Austin Beam, Amanda Medlin, Rob Westerman, Brittany Deardian

2. Key Terms • 3G- or third generation wireless networks, capable of transferring data at speeds of up to 384 Kbps • Digital Signal Processor (DSP)- microprocessor designed for signal processing • Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM)- standard for mobile phones enabling people to use phones in many parts of the world • Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE)- mobile phone technology used for internet connectivity, video services, and multimedia applications • General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)- mobile data service that speeds up data transfer • Modem- device for transmitting digital data into audio signals, sending and receiving these signals

3. Emergence of single core modem • Freescale Semiconductor is the company that released the innovative 3G single core modem for mobile phones • 3G single core modem first and only model of its kind thus far in the mobile phone industry • Huge step forward for Freescale Semiconductor as far as gaining competitive advantage • Single core modem is the heart of Freescale’s Mobile Extreme Convergence Platform

4. Components and Tasks of Single Core Modem • Single core modem compiled of two main parts • Digital Signal Processor (DSP)- operates at up to 250MHz • Applications Processor- operates at up to 532MHz 3 main tasks of the single core modem 1. Global Systems Mobile Communication (GSMC) 2. General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) 3. Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE)

5. What the single core modem does • Modem- a device that transmits data into an audio signal and sends it • Single core modem broadens this definition • Composed of Applications Processor and DSP • Applications Processor also known as microcontroller unit (MCU) • Applications processor is put into a chip with a shared memory system • This system eliminates the need for and external additional applications processor • Shared memory provides efficient interprocessor communication, which results in higher performance, lower power consumption, and reduces the complexity of software

6. Cont’d • The applications processor runs open operating systems such as Linux OS and Symbian OS • The DSP deals with signals and methods of processing signals • The DSP ciphers digital data and transmits data into understandable signals when the phone receives it • The MCU and DSP combine to make up the single core modem, empowering the modem to perform other tasks • GSM is controlled entirely by the single core modem, this function allows the user of the mobile phone to operate the phone in many different parts of the world • GPRS is also controlled by this type of modem, GPRS works with GSM to speed up data transfer between mobile phone users, eliminating pauses between audio signals sent amongst two phones • EDGE is another aspect handled by the single core modem, EDGE provides the phone with increased data capacity, enabling it to use the internet, along with video services and multimedia applications

7. Benefits of the Single Core Modem • Lower power usage- 3 ways accomplished • All communication functions are operating on a single core • Single core is equipped with hardware accelerators, shortening the length of time for applications to process • The single core modem has internal memory banks and caches that store greater amounts of data

8. Benefits Cont’d • Higher performance is another benefit that is due largely in part to the high power and speed of the DSP and MCU • The greatest competitive edge obtained by Freescale Semiconductor deals with 2 primary benefits • Cost efficiency • Reduced development time

9. Benefits Cont’d • Cost efficiency • The shared memory system discards the need for an additional external shared memory system/eliminating parts lowers the total costs • Architecture of modem • Integrating numerous parts into one • Single core size of postage stamp, saves storage space, saves money

10. Benefits Cont’d • Reduction of time and effort • Integration of parts into one helps reduce time • Having one design simplifies software • No need for multiple personnel working on multiple parts for the phone • Gives Freescale a lot of flexibility within the company • Simpler software enables Freescale to spend more time to engineer new designs and decreases development time drastically

11. Conclusion • 3G single core modem leading way in telecommunications industry • Single core modem provides benefits for both the producer and consumer • The more cost efficient it is for Freescale to produce innovations, the cheaper it is for consumers • The more advances companies like Freescale make in new technology, the more consumers will benefit with products that make life a little bit easier, and a lot more convenient