In This Issue
Leading the Digital Revolution
15 years of DSP
Memory
Mixed-Signal and Analog
Networking
Wireless
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Wireless: Keeping the world connected
Take a look around. In shopping malls, at the beach, in the car -- virtually everywhere you go people are using cellular phones, pagers and other wireless products to keep them connected. And increasingly manufacturers are using digital technology to give these products powerful new features and the extended battery life that make them truly valuable for end users. For wireless OEMs, the invitation is open. Analysts estimate that the digital wireless market will represent an $8 billion opportunity by 2000 as consumers look for more functionality and features like the Internet and other interactive services in wireless products. More than ever before, Texas Instruments is the IC supplier enabling these advancements in wireless end equipment. Recently released market analyst reports show that TI is the No. 1 DSP supplier for digital cellular phones worldwide. In fact, of the approximately 48 million digital cellular phones manufactured in 1996, more than half were powered by a TI DSP Solution. TI DSP Solutions are everywhere. A closer look gives some indication of just why so many wireless communications manufacturers are turning to TI for solutions to their next-generation wireless needs. Digital signal processing Wireless systems are designed to make communications mobile, so size, weight and battery life are the primary concerns. DSPs cater specifically to these needs with higher integration levels, extremely high performance and low power consumption. TI's customizable single-chip digital baseband platform helps digital cellular phone manufacturers lower component counts, save board space, reduce power consumption, introduce new features, save development costs and achieve faster time-to-market. At the same time, it gives them the flexibility and performance to support any standard worldwide. Total system solutions Wireless system design can be extremely complex. This is why it is vital for wireless OEMs to choose suppliers that provide total system solutions, with components optimized from the beginning to work well together. This not only reduces design time but also ensures maximum system performance -- two factors that can make or break a design in the market. In addition to powerful DSP cores, TI is the IC supplier with the capabilities to meet total system needs, from integrated digital and analog baseband sections to radio frequency (RF) and power management functions. TI's broad product line gives designers all of the silicon and software necessary to take designs to production. And more than just functionality, TI also has the system expertise to deliver solutions optimized for performance and power savings. Worldwide, world-class support Perhaps the most telling sign of a committed supplier is the resources it is willing to put behind its customers. TI formed its Wireless Communications Business Unit in 1994 to establish and maintain technology leadership in the fast-growing market. The group focuses specific TI resources on the design, manufacture and support of highly integrated wireless solutions for various popular transmission standards around the world. As an example, last year TI increased its wireless research-and-development in-vestment, and wireless is one of the key beneficiaries of two other recent TI investments: a $150 million research lab and a $2 billion wafer fab. One product of this dedi-cated business model and research support is the 1-V DSP TI demonstrated at the International Solid State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) in February 1997. With a 10-times reduction in power consumption, this kind of technology improvement is the catalyst for making wireless the new communications model. Finally, TI is an active force in industry initiatives such as the Communications and Telecommunications Industries Association (CTIA), the CDMA Development Group (CDG) and other standard-related bodies. Together, these groups are working to not only keep up with the wireless market, but to define the services it will provide in the future. A total supplier System solutions, system expertise, leading-edge technology and the manufacturing strength to deliver. These are a few examples of the commitment and customer value delivery that have made TI the leading DSP supplier for digital cellular phones. With TI's growing wireless resources and continued commitment, customers can look to TI to help them become leaders in their markets.
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By Christian Dupont, regional manager, Americas Wireless Communications Business Unit