Broadcom today introduced the smallest 4G LTE-Advanced modem,
dubbed BCM21892.
Designed for the 4G LTE market, Broadcom's multi-mode, multi-band
solution will be showcased at the upcoming Mobile World Congress
show in Barcelona, February 25-28.
Compliant with all 3GPP specifications, the BCM21892 combines a
full-featured cellular baseband with a world-band radio in a
footprint that is approximately 35 percent smaller than current
industry solutions. Power management techniques save up to 25
percent of the power typically consumed during data transmissions
to the network. The new modem also supports LTE Category 4 speeds
of 150Mbps, operates in any 3GPP network and performs seamless
hand-offs between the various 4G LTE, 3G and 2G interface
technologies.
To support operators' evolution to 4G LTE networks, the BCM21892
features the following:
- A baseband with support for all current 3GPP standards
technologies including LTE FDD and TDD, LTE-Advanced with carrier
aggregation, HSPA+, TD-SCDMA and EDGE/GSM.
- An integrated world-band radio that can support virtually any
designated 3GPP LTE frequency band and combination, a critical
capability as operators prepare their networks for 4G LTE roaming.
The radio also deploys power management techniques that can save up
to 25 percent of the power typically used when sending data to the
network.
- A Voice over LTE (VoLTE) solution that enables high-definition
voice calls over a mobile broadband connection - a key requirement
of operators as they transition from legacy networks. Broadcom
claims that its VoLTE service consumes approximately 40 percent
less power than a comparable WCDMA voice call.
- Enhanced interoperability with Broadcom's wireless coexistence
technology, which minimizes the possibility of radio interference
between Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 4G LTE.
- Ability to interface with a broad range of stand-alone
applications processors, allowing OEMs to design the 4G LTE
solution into a wide variety of mobile devices.
Broadcom is currnty sampling the BCM21892 to its early access
customers, with anticipated production to begin in 2014.