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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
QUALCOMM Announces Two Multicast Innovations to Increase Capacity And Reduce Cost
QUALCOMM Incorporated
(Nasdaq: QCOM), pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced two innovations -- 1xEV-DO
Platinum Multicast, an evolution of CDMA2000 1xEV-DO; and FLO(TM) (Forward
Link Only) technology, which is complementary to CDMA2000 and WCDMA networks.
EV-DO Platinum Multicast and FLO technology are both multicast innovations
designed to increase the capacity and reduce the cost of delivering video,
audio and other content to large numbers of users simultaneously.
EV-DO Platinum Multicast is a backwards-compatible evolution of 1xEV-DO.
The existing EV-DO forward link design uses CDMA to transmit data packets to a
single user (unicast), or simultaneously to multiple users (multicast), during
different time slots (called time division multiplexing, or TDM).
Each packet is provided the full forward link power from one cell sector
during its time slot. EV-DO Platinum Multicast further improves performance
by reserving the same TDM time slot at all cells in a region and then
transmitting one or more common packets within the reserved slot to all users
in the region. Mobile devices receive the same packet from multiple cells and
then soft combine the energy to improve reception. To simplify the soft
combination of the common packets transmitted simultaneously from all cell
sectors in multicast mode, an orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM)
waveform is used for transmission during the common TDM time slot.
The FLO multicast technology under development at QUALCOMM is designed for
markets where dedicated spectrum is available and where regulations permit
high-power transmission from one or a small number of towers. As in Platinum
Multicast, FLO transmits packets using OFDM. It is complementary to existing
cellular networks because interactive services are supported within the mobile
device using the CDMA2000 1X, 1xEV-DO or WCDMA cellular link. FLO is intended
as an alternative to other multimedia multicasting technologies, such as
DVB-H. Compared to other multicast technologies, FLO technology is designed
specifically for use in mobile devices where low battery power consumption is
critical, enabling it to offer superior mobility, power efficiency and
coverage characteristics -- considerations that are fundamental to the mobile
handheld consumer usage environment.
In addition, QUALCOMM's MediaFLO(TM) Content Distribution System,
announced in March 2004, is designed to make intelligent decisions about when
to send content over a network made up of any number of different wireless
technologies, including FLO and EV-DO Platinum Multicast. In particular, the
MediaFLO system allows operators to transmit unicast or multicast content over
their cellular networks and seamlessly combine it with multicast content
transmitted using the FLO technology. The MediaFLO system assures appropriate
alignment between the network utilization profile and subscriber requirements
and usage patterns. For subscribers, multicast services based on advances
like the FLO technology and EV-DO Platinum Multicast will easily deliver high-
quality video services at appropriate consumer price points, so consumers can
have a positive experience with full motion video at much higher frame rates.
"Wireless multimedia services are gaining traction in leading markets but,
as consumer demand increases, the cost becomes prohibitive to deliver the same
multimedia content individually to each user in a large subscriber base," said
Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, executive vice president and president of QUALCOMM
Wireless and Internet Group. "EV-DO Platinum and the FLO technology
innovations will augment existing unicast networks to much more cost
effectively enable the most desirable multimedia applications -- including
real-time, high-quality video. The MediaFLO system wraps these new
technologies into a complete end-to-end system that allows consumers to
interact with wireless multimedia in a way they're accustomed to -- enabling
'channel surfing' on their mobile handsets."
"QUALCOMM has been working on multimedia enhancements for more than eight
years," said Steven R. Altman, president, QUALCOMM Technology Licensing. "The
Company has approximately 200 issued or pending patents relating to these
enhancements and to applications of OFDM, OFDMA and MIMO (multi in, multi
out), making QUALCOMM one of the most active companies in this space."
In June, the CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Platinum Multicast proposal was submitted to
3GPP2 (Third Generation Partnership Project 2) for consideration as an upgrade
to the multicast specification for 1xEV-DO. If standards progress permits,
QUALCOMM will support Platinum Multicast with the CSM6800(TM) Cell Site
Modem(TM) (CSM(TM)) and the MSM6800(TM) Mobile Station Modem(TM) (MSM(TM))
chipset and system software solutions in addition to the many improvements of
1xEV-DO Rev. A, while supporting full backwards compatibility to all earlier
CDMA-based phones. Networks and devices based on the CSM6800 and MSM6800
solutions will support:
* high forward and reverse peak and average data rates with high
spectral efficiency;
* dual diversity antennas in the handset;
* quad diversity at the base station with optimal combining and
interference cancellation capabilities;
* forward link adaptive space-time equalization;
* Quality of Service; and
* very low latency for the highest performance available of any
technology for push-to-chat, instant multimedia and interactive
gaming -- all setting the stage for efficient and high quality
wireless Voice over Internet Protocol.
QUALCOMM anticipates that the FLO technology and EV-DO Platinum Multicast
enhancements will be in network trials in 2005.
QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and
delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services
based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. Headquartered in San Diego,
Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2003 FORTUNE 500(R)
company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the ticker symbol QCOM.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release
contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties, including the timing and extent to which the EV-DO Platinum
Multicast and FLO technologies achieve commercial acceptance, the possibility
of changes in the Company's investments, change in economic conditions of the
various markets the Company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from
time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K
for the year ended September 28, 2003, and most recent Form 10-Q.
QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. MediaFLO,
FLO, Mobile Station Modem, MSM, MSM6800, Cell Site Modem, CSM, CSM6800 are
trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
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