Single-chip DECT ICs
05 January 2011
Low-power QSPI interface allows cordless phone manufacturers to cut cost and time-to-market.
SiTel Semiconductor has announced the mass market release of two new single-chip DECT / CAT-iq ICs; the SC14441 and SC14442.
The new SiTel chips feature a low-power Quad Serial Peripheral Interface (QSPI) Flash interface, allowing it to be used with external QSPI Flash memory ICs. This gives manufacturers the flexibility of a Flash-based system – such as short time to market and in-field product upgrades – at a price point equivalent to ROM-based solutions.
The QSPI Flash interface is designed specifically for low-power applications and guarantees low current consumption. As a result, cordless phone manufacturers now have a third option for incorporating Flash memory that was previously only available to consumer electronics applications. It avoids the expensive processing of embedded Flash or the costs of external parallel Flash. This brings the cost of Flash-based systems down to a level comparable with ROM-based systems, without the long lead times associated with ROM code production.
The QSPI interface also has the advantage of allowing the use of very small packages, minimising the amount of PCB space required and enabling the creation of compact end products. Available in a range of memory sizes – from 4 to 32 Mb – QSPI Flash chips allow manufacturers to deliver a complete product portfolio from a single base PCB design. It also eliminates the need for separate EEPROM for storing user settings and phonebooks.
“QSPI Flash memory has the potential to deliver a variety of benefits for cordless phone manufacturers. But, being originally developed for consumer electronics applications, it was not compatible with the lower power requirements of the cordless telephony domain. Our low-power QSPI interface brings the flexibility and cost savings of QSPI Flash within reach of cordless phone makers and guarantees the lowest current consumption on the market,” said John Pol, Product Marketing Manager at SiTel.
The SC14441 and SC14442 are available for mass production now. The SC14441 is supplied in a 96-pin LLGA package. Offering extra codec and I/O functionality, the SC14442 is housed in a 113-pin LLGA package.
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