Tear Down: Handset operates on GSM or UMTS/WCDMA networks

3G networks are being built in areas throughout the world. First introduced in Japan in 2001, they are being adopted by close to 150 operators worldwide. UMTS is the next evolution of the GSM/GPRS standard, currently the most widely used communications standard today, and is often used interchangeably with Wideband CDMA, also known as WCDMA.

While 3G networks are gaining momentum, there’s still not enough demand in regions like Europe to prompt companies to spend the time and money developing the most appealing handsets. However, some handsets are definitely more appealing than others. The Sony Ericsson K600i fits that bill.

The "candy bar" K600i, measuring 105 mm high by 45 mm wide by 20 mm deep, and weighing 105 g, operates in both tri-band 900/1800/1900 GSM and 3G UMTS/WCDMA modes (see the figure). The dual-mode functionality is one of the key features of this phone.

The 3G-capable Sony Ericsson K600i handset operates on either the GSM or UMTS/WCDMA networks.

The TFT display shows 262,000 colors, making it easy to see in direct light conditions. There are a handful of useful features, such an FM receiver, MP3 playback, and connectivity through Bluetooth, USB, and infrared (IR). Through GPRA and HSCSD, the K600i can stream audio and video from a WAP 2.0 connection.

The 1.3-Mpixel camera offers a 4X digital zoom and a photo light. The image sensor dual functions as a video camera with audio capture. The phone even comes bundled with photo editing software. However, there’s no external memory card slot, and the internal memory is only 33 Mbits before "preconfiguration." In reality, there’s enough memory for taking pictures, but if you want to use the MP3 player, you’ll be hard pressed to get the most out of either function.

The camera comes into play for video calling. In addition to the main camera, there’s a low-resolution (VGA) camera. You can set up a call and display yourself to the other party, and also let them see what you are looking at with your camera.

From a component point of view, 21 different die are contained within 18 major ICs. Nine devices are specifically dedicated to the GSM or UMTS functionality (see the table).

The area with the most interest from a semiconductor perspective is the operation in both GSM and UMTS modes. While this handset isn’t unique in offering both modes, the fact that different vendors are supplying the components for this functionality is.

Texas Instruments supplies the baseband function for both GSM and UMTS. Philips provides most of the auxiliary functionality in the handset, from transmitters, receivers, transceivers, and the FM stereo radio, as well as all of the Bluetooth components, including the baseband, transceiver, and antennas.

Sonny claims that the K600i’s battery life is 8 hrs. in GSM talk time, or 2 hrs. in UMTS mode. When operating with video calling in UMTS mode (not available over a GSM network), the handset offers 1.67 hrs. In GSM standby mode, the handset will last for 370 hrs., or 290 hrs. when operating on a UMTS network.

The choice of power amplifier (PA) is the most surprising aspect of the handset. Skyworks and RF Micro Devices (RFMD) compete closely in this market space, with Renesas following in third. While Skyworks technically has more design wins (based on our research), this is largely due to the fact that there are multiple die in one package—up to seven. Note that we count each die as a separate design win, as there are often single chips with die from different vendors. For example, even in this handset, the memory is a single chip with two Intel NOR flash die and a Micron mobile RAM die.

Both Skyworks and RFMD offer PAs that support GSM and UMTS. The Skyworks GSM PA found in the K600i, the CX77313, is designed for tri-band cellular handsets and supports Class 10 GPRS multi-slot operation. In contrast, the RFMD’s RF3147 could have been. It’s a high-power, high-efficiency PA module with integrated power control and is Class 12 GPRS compatible. Both parts operate in the 900/1800/1900 GSM band and provide impedance matching circuitry for 50-Ω input and output, and bias control circuitry. They’re roughly the same size, with the Skyworks solution measuring 10 by 8 mm and the RFMD chip measuring 7 by 7 mm.

For UMTS, the K600i implements the RF9266 for the UMTS mode. Sony Ericsson could have chosen the Skyworks SKY77152. Both meet the WCDMA transmission standard and have a power output up to 28 dBm. The reason that this is so interesting is that instead of working with economies of scope, Sony Ericsson chose to implement competing vendors for functions that either on their own could perform.

About the author
Gregory A. Quirk is a technology analyst for Semiconductor Insights. He can be reached at gregoryq@semiconductor.com.

This article is excerpted from Semiconductor Insights’ Handset Design Win (HDW) subscription service.