Multimode VortiQa Layer 1 software now running on the QorIQ Qonverge BSC9132 heterogeneous quad-core processor for picocell base station solutions

Demonstrating the multimode capabilities of Freescale’s QorIQ Qonverge portfolio, Freescale Semiconductor announced today that integrated VortiQa Layer 1 (L1) software simultaneously supporting WCDMA and LTE is up and running on the QorIQ Qonverge BSC9132 SoC for small cell base station solutions.

“The addition of WCDMA multimode capability to our comprehensive portfolio of LTE L1 software underscores Freescale’s strong commitment to the small cell market,” said Stephen Turnbull, wireless marketing manager for Freescale’s Digital Networking business. “Freescale is helping accelerate the ability of small cell manufacturers to deliver multimode picocell solutions that work together seamlessly and meet the requirements of wireless network operators.”

According to analyst firm GSMA Intelligence, there are more than 1.5 billion WCDMA connections worldwide and LTE deployments are growing quickly, presenting challenges with frequency bands and getting infrastructure in place. Wireless network operators want multimode small cells that combine 3G, 4G/LTE and Wi-Fi into one small cell base station with the goal of increasing capacity in highly trafficked areas. Equipment manufacturers have struggled to provide solutions that meet those requirements.

Freescale is one of the first companies to bring both multimode-capable hardware and software to market. In production today, the QorIQ Qonverge BSC9132 SoC is a highly integrated device that targets evolving microcell/metrocell, outdoor picocell, enterprise picocell and femtocell base station applications. Availability of the BSC9132 multimode LTE and WCDMA L1 software enables small cell manufacturers to more quickly provide multimode solutions to wireless network operators, speeding industry small cell deployment.

The QorIQ Qonverge BSC9132 SoC integrates two e500 cores, built on Power Architecture® technology, and two StarCore SC3850 cores with the MAPLE-B2P baseband acceleration engine. The processor is a highly programmable device supporting a 20 MHz single sector LTE-FDD/TDD with 150 Mbps downlink and 75 Mbps uplink rates, and HSPA+ with 42 Mbps downlink and 11.5 Mbps uplink rates. The processor supports a range of air interfaces, including LTE (FDD/TDD), WCDMA (HSPA+ and UMTS) and WiMAX, and incorporates glueless RFIC communication and antennae interfaces, eliminating the need for additional chips and ultimately reducing board space and cost.

QorIQ Qonverge base station-on-chip products are based on a common architecture and integrate communications processing, digital signal processing and wireless acceleration technologies into a single system-on-chip in various configurations optimized for next-generation femtocell, picocell, metrocell and macrocell base stations. Advanced process technology and exceptional integration allow the convergence on a single device of multiple functions traditionally performed on separate FPGAs, ASICs, DSPs and processors. This integration reduces the part count, power consumption, cost and footprint for base stations. Having a common, scalable architecture spanning from femtocells to macrocells enables optimized R&D investments and software reuse.

Freescale at LTE North America 2013

Freescale will demonstrate the multimode picocell base station solution in booth # 28B at the LTE North America event in Dallas, Texas during November 20-22 at the Westin Galleria hotel. The demo will show simultaneous WCDMA and LTE operation enabled by VortiQa L1 multimode software running on a single QorIQ Qonverge BSC9132 SoC targeted for the picocell base station market.

About VortiQa software

VortiQa software solutions speed development by providing fully integrated, architecturally compatible application software designed to eliminate or greatly reduce the time needed to test and optimize application software. VortiQa software is optimized to take full advantage of Freescale's QorIQ processor technology, including pattern matching engine, security accelerator, datapath acceleration and other features, thereby boosting performance in embedded systems.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) is a global leader in embedded processing solutions, providing industry leading products that are advancing the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. From microprocessors and microcontrollers to sensors, analog integrated circuits and connectivity – our technologies are the foundation for the innovations that make our world greener, safer, healthier and more connected. Some of our key applications and end-markets include automotive safety, hybrid and all-electric vehicles, next generation wireless infrastructure, smart energy management, portable medical devices, consumer appliances and smart mobile devices. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing and sales operations around the world. www.freescale.com

Freescale, the Freescale logo, StarCore and QorIQ are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. QorIQ Qonverge and Vybrid are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. The Power Architecture and Power.org word marks and the Power and Power.org logos and related marks are trademarks and service marks licensed by Power.org. © 2013 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Freescale SemiconductorAmericasJack Taylor, 512-560-7143jack.taylor@freescale.comorAsia-PacificGloria Shiu, (85-22) 666-8237gloria.shiu@freescale.comorEurope, Middle East and AfricaLaurent Massicot, +33 (0)1 69 10 48 05laurent.massicot@freescale.comorIndiaAnjali Srivastava, (91-120) 395-0000anjali.srivastava@freescale.comorJapanKiyomi Masuda, (81-3) 5437-9128kiyomi.masuda@freescale.com