Motorola launches universal '2.5G' processor

Motorola launches universal '2.5G' processor
AUSTIN, Texas— Motorola Inc.'s wireless subscriber systems group is launching a new member of the venerable 56000 family to handle universal voice and data protocols for what is increasingly referred to as the "2.5" generation of digital cellular services. The DSP56690 is a dual-core device that handles TDMA, CDMA, GSM, iDEN (enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio), and satellite services in a programmable baseband design.

Tim Saccomanno, director of marketing for the subscriber group's wireless communications division, said that Motorola has long had a dual DSP processor under development for true 3G phone services— one that will combine the StarCore 140 with the MCore M341. But the continued popularity of midrange data services such as IS-95B and General Packet Radio Service , convinced designers that it made sense to offer a midrange dual-core product that combined a 56600 core with an MCore controller, Saccomanno said.

The 56690 will serve as the central family member in a suite of baseband processors for 2.5G that will preserve pinout compatibility whenever possible but that will be optimized for different mixes of voice and data services.

The on-chip 56600 is a 100-Mips, 104-MHz core; the MCore is a 30-Mips, 52-MHz core. A version of the processor using large RAM blocks, intended as a development tool, is sampling this fall, with a ROM-based version slated for early 2000.Keith DeHaven, platform manager at the wireless communications division, said Motorola designers defined 40 custom modules that can be added or subtracted for individual customers.

While Motorola has not yet announced plans for programmable or digitally synthesized intermediate-frequency blocks, the company's IF/RF component groups now work directly with the baseband processor groups. The 56690 offers direct interfaces for RF and IF ICs.

Future 56690 modules likely will include interfaces for short-range wireless services such as Bluetooth and HomeRF, DeHaven said. That integration will be speeded by Motorola's corporate-level acquisition of Digianswer, the final remaining piece of Olicom S/A. On Oct. 27, Motorola said it would take a majority stake in Digianswer.

Digianswer's technology will be used in a systems implementation by Motorola's personal networking group. Its technology also will be adopted by semiconductor development teams in the wireless subscriber systems group.

DeHaven said the Digianswer intellectual property could be embedded in programmable platforms ranging from the 566xxx family to high-end Star Core processors.