Infineon Launches S-GOLD: New Multimedia Baseband IC for GPRS and EGPRS Mobile Devices

Business Wire, Feb 19, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CANNES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2002

Infineon Technologies (FSE/NYSE:IFX) today announced that it has begun shipping prototypes of S-GOLD, the first member of Infineon's new multimedia platform for wireless applications enabling the upcoming generation of feature-rich smartphones and multimedia-oriented handsets. S-GOLD, combining a leading edge GPRS/EGPRS class 12 modem with high application performance and high fidelity stereo functions on one mixed signal chipset enables handset designers to build highly optimised form-factor phones.

For next-generation 2.5G terminals, factors like excellent modem performance including multislot support of EGPRS in downlink and uplink, combined with cutting-edge power consumption must be taken as given since the engineering challenges in this new terminal generation will be focused on the application provision.

"S-GOLD is especially designed to fulfill the requirements of next generation multimedia mobile devices. This new chip offers our customers an early solution so that they can benefit as soon as possible from the emerging business opportunities," explained Ulrich Hamann, Chief Executive Officer of the Wireless Solutions Group at Infineon Technologies. "Delivery of the S-GOLD system chip once again underscores Infineon's support for the industry and its position as the leading wireless solution company."

To meet the new target requirements Infineon's S-GOLD is based on ARM(R)s latest ARM(R)926 processing core for wireless applications with a powerful cache system, JAVA(TM) extensions and a wide range of peripheral interfaces to support a variety of applications including online games, MP3, MIDI, m-commerce and video streaming. Combined with Infineon's latest SmartiDC+ RF chipset and the power management chip, a quad-band multimedia handset for 850/900/1800/1900 MHz networks can be realised as a three chip solution.

To provide customers with a total solution, Infineon offers a complete multimedia reference design along with a complete set of multimedia applications based on APOXI(TM).

Availability

Infineon Technologies started already sampling S-GOLD to Tier A-Customers using Infineon's world-leading prototyping concept for early software development and performance analysis. S-GOLD is manufactured in an advanced copper 0.13um (effective 0.10um) CMOS process.

Background information

EGPRS - Enhanced GPRS

EGPRS is an enhanced version of currently existing GPRS using EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) Technology. EDGE represents the final evolution of data communication within the GSM standard by using a new modulation schema to enable data speeds of up to 384kbit/s in existing GSM networks.

EDGE networks are currently be rolled out in the Americas by major Operators as an migration from TDMA to GSM/GPRS/EDGE to WCDMA.

GPRS - General Packet Radio Service

GPRS represents the first implementation of packet switching within GSM, which is essentially a circuit switched technology. It brings Internet Protocol (IP) capability to the GSM Network for the first time and will enable users to send and receive data at a speed of up to 115kbit/s. Therefore, GPRS is often referred as 2.5G.

GSM - Global System for Mobile Communication

GSM is the world's leading second generation digital standard in mobile communications.

APOXI(TM)

APOXI(TM) is an object oriented framework for rapid man machine interface (MMI) and application development and integration. APOXI(TM) was initially focused on MMI development but meanwhile enhanced to an open API for applications and supported by a wide range of applications and several 3rd party software vendors.

About Infineon

Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor and customized solutions for applications in the wired and wireless communications markets, for security systems and smartcards, for the automotive and industrial sectors, as well as memory products. With a global presence, Infineon operates in the US from San Jose, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore and in Japan from Tokyo. In the fiscal year 2001 (ending September), the company achieved sales of Euro 5.67 billion with about 33,800 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX). Further information is available at www.infineon.com.

This news release and a press photo are available online at http://www.infineon.com/news

Note to Editors: Infineon and the stylized Infineon Technologies design are registered trademarks and service marks of Infineon Technologies AG. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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