Friday, 28 September 2007

Motorola Hires Infineon To Design 3G Chip

Motorola has asked German chipmaker Infineon to modify a 3G-transceiver multimode single chip based on its existing 'Smarti UE' device.

The Smarti UE is a 3G RF transceiver that supports HSDPA, HSUPA and the 2.5G EDGE technologies. As part of the deal, Infineon will add Motorola IP to the chip and the chip will be ready for mass production by Q2 2008.

Infineon will not just refurbish the chip but will also manufacture it. Motorola, which has under tremendous pressure to perform after a string of disastrous results with its phone, selected Munich based Infineon for slim design, performance, power efficiency and other reasons. "We are pleased to enter this strategic relationship with Motorola to create an advanced 3G RF solution," said Stefan Wolff, Vice President and General Manager of Infineon's RF Engine Business Unit. Wolff announced that the new chip would reduce size and footprint for the next generation 3G devices.