1996-04-29 , IC-439

Eindhoven - April 29, 1996 - Philips Semiconductors today introduced its PR31100 and UCB1100 two-chip set and software fax/modem for personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal intelligent communicators (PICs), and other smart communication products. This system solution offers size, cost, and power-consumption improvements that can dramatically boost PDA functionality at consumer price levels.

"The chipset is unique in that it incorporates virtually all the functionality needed for a PDA or in just two ICs", said Cees Hartgring, general manager of the Communication Multimedia group of Philips Semiconductors. Most PDA/PICs will require only the addition of memory. At a combined cost of $38 in the United States, the PR31100 and UCB1100 will bring device prices low enough to change the way people think about PDAs.

The PR31100 and UCB1100 furnish an extraordinary degree of versatility. By taking advantage of different chipset functions, designers can create various types of wired or wireless PDAs, PICs, screen phones, or Internet access terminals. These applications share a common feature set of LCD display, input via touchscreen and optional keyboard, and communication via telephone lines. Screenphones enable users to handle phone-related information (caller ID, message-waiting notice, etc.) and over-the-line data (home banking, email, voice mail menu choices, phone directory information, etc.) on a computer-like display. An Internet access terminal offers a low-cost way to browse the World Wide Web using a TV as a display device. It is plug-in-play, and easy to use for non-technical consumers.

To support these applications, the PR31100 contains a powerful MIPS R3000 core -- a full 32-bit RISC processor -- and a wide variety of other digital resources. The processor provides the power to recognise handwriting and about 100 spoken commands.

In contrast competing solutions require a processor and other off-the-shelf chips in addition to one or more custom chips, called Application Specific Integrated circuits (ASICs), which require time consuming customisation for each device. This approach makes PDA/PICs large and expensive, shortens battery life, lengthens the hardware design cycle and requires customised software to suit this rapidly-evolving market.

The PR31100's other resources include several industry-standard interfaces for transferring data and connecting optional devices such as PCMCIA cards. An on-chip video controller allows direct connection to LCD screens. Extensive power-conservation functions turn off parts of the PR31100 and UCB1100 that are not in use, so that the two chips extend battery life far beyond what is commonly possible with competing designs.

The PR31100 also includes the capability to run sophisticated communications software such as the V.32bis (14.4 Kbps) software fax/modem. Working with analog telecommunications circuitry in the UCB1100, the software fax/modem eliminates the need for an external modem chipset, which would cost about $30 -- almost as much as the PR31100, UCB1100, and software fax/modem combined.

The UCB1100 incorporates several analog and digital functions that save PDA designers a great deal of time, effort, and expense. The chip's telecommunications circuitry connects directly to a phone line for simple implementation of a wired PDA. For wireless designs, the PR31100 works with available radio and cellular phone modules to take advantage of the latest wireless messaging, networking, and voice communications capabilities.

Audio circuitry in the UCB1100 connects to a microphone and speakers without the need for external audio amplifiers or other components. The UCB1100's digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters provide high-quality voice/sound reproduction and sampling.

Because touchscreens have become a standard feature for PDAs, the UCB1100 includes complete touchscreen circuitry. This capability usually replaces a keyboard, although general-purpose input/output pins on the PR31100 permit the addition of a keyboard.

So that designers can focus on high-level issues such as product size, shape, features, and application software, Philips supplies low-level software drivers and reference designs for the main PR31100/UCB1100 applications. Philips is also working with major vendors of PDA operating systems to port their software to the PR31100 and UCB1100. These operating systems provide features such as a graphical user interface, personal information manager, mail, fax, handwriting recognition, Web browsing, and much more.

Samples of the PR31100 and UCB1100 are now available. Production quantities will be available in the third quarter of 1996. Cost for the chipset and the software fax/modem license is $38 in 100,000-unit quantities. Pricing is for U.S. customers and will vary according to country. Please contact your local Philips Semiconductors representative for pricing and availability outside the U.S.

Additional information on Philips Semiconductors can be obtained by accessing their home page at   http://cdrom.semiconductors.com/ .

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the eleventh largest semiconductor supplier in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by regional customer application labs.