1998-03-20 , E/IC-1009/41

The problem with basic call-waiting services is that you never know whether an incoming call is more important than the one you're dealing with. The solution to this problem is Caller-ID-on-Call-Waiting (CIDCW), but it's difficult to implement because the required signalling information must be sent unobtrusively while the phone is 'off-hook', without undue interruption of the conversation.

With the introduction of the  PCD3316 Level-2 Caller ID chip at CeBIT '98, Philips Semiconductors, the largest European semiconductor manufacturer, provides designers with a single-chip solution suitable for a wide range of Calling Line Identification (CLI) services. These include Level-1 Caller Identification (CID), Level-2 Caller-ID-on-Call- Waiting (CIDCW), Caller Name (CNAM) and Analog Display Services Interface (ADSI) functions.

Based on a patented DSP algorithm, the PCD3316 reliably detects FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) signalling information, making it compatible with FSK-based caller identification systems worldwide - including those developed by Bellcore, British Telecom and the Cable Communication Association. This not only gives phone manufacturers the advantage of a single part that can be used in phones for world markets, it also means that phones based around the PCD3316 readily achieve certification anywhere in the world. Typical applications for this innovative new IC include stand-alone caller identification units, corded and cordless feature phones, Analog Display Services Interface phones and Computer Telephony Integrated (CTI) systems. Emerging applications include remote alarm authentication and home banking.

"In the highly competitive corded and cordless phone markets, caller identification is perceived as a major end-user benefit," said International Product Marketing Manager Rob Whittaker. "The technically robust stand-alone solution and minimal additional component count offered by the PCD3316 make it easy for manufacturers to build this feature into their phones," he added.

The PCD3316 is a low-power mixed-signal CMOS IC that is controlled and interrogated via its I²C-bus interface. It incorporates an FSK receiver/demodulator and a ring- tone/polarity change detector. The status of the IC, the demodulated FSK data bytes and the ringer period can all be interrogated via the I²C-bus. In addition to controlling its CID functions, it can be programmed to generate an interrupt signal to a feature phone's microcontroller every second or every minute in order to provide call timing functions.

In power-down mode, only its polarity comparators and 32 kHz on-chip oscillator remain active in order to conserve power. Coupled with the PCD3316's ability to operate from a 2.5 V to 3.6 V supply, this makes it ideal for use in battery powered phones. With the addition of only three other Philips ICs - a telecoms oriented microcontroller (such as an  80C51-based TELX or 33xx family µC), a  PCF2119 2-line LCD driver, and a  TEA1114 speech/transmission IC - the PCD3316 can be used to provide unique feature-phone solutions with level-2 CID compatibility, high-level language firmware development, hardware DTMF generation, low-power operating modes and in-circuit OTP programming.

The PCD3316 is housed in a low-profile 16-lead small outline package and is available now for volume delivery.

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