TTPCom reveals its converged mobile device strategy

Intelligent architecture is key to combating uncertainty
 
Cambridge, UK, 16 January 2006 - TTPCom Limited (TTPCom) today announced details of its mobile handset technology strategy to support the accelerating pace of telecommunications, internet and broadcast convergence and to bring the benefits of this convergence to mass market mobile devices. The foundation of TTPCom's support for the merger of mobile, fixed, broadband and broadcast capability lies in the TTPCom Architecture – a next generation intelligent framework for mobile devices.
 
This intelligent architecture provides a common software platform approach across multiple chipsets and multiple access technologies, allowing large technology blocks to be readily included or omitted for a variety of different handset models. The TTPCom Architecture has been specified to allow support for a range of multiple access technologies including traditional cellular (such as GSM/GPRS and WCDMA) as well as emerging capabilities such as WiFi, WiMax and Digital TV. Each of these access technologies routes information to handset applications via a common set of Internet Protocol (IP) packet based transport capabilities including the emerging IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The TTPCom Architecture ensures a clean separation of access technologies from IP transport protocols, leading to efficient and reliable implementations and reduced handset testing cycles.
 
TTPCom believes that the industry transition to IMS is particularly exciting. IMS completes the transition from a circuit switched network to a fully packet based network. This change enables a range of advanced new services to be delivered to handset subscribers. Control of quality of service (QoS) which is built into IMS, enables the full scale take up of voice over IP (VoIP) services and rich interactive messaging and gaming capabilities. TTPCom has built IMS into the heart of its architecture. This approach allows the handset industry to capitalise rapidly on the changing technology landscape with a flexible yet robust architecture that allows the roll out of new IP based services at low risk.
 
"Convergence means uncertainty, change and disruption for handset manufacturers," said Peter Whale, head of Software Product Strategy at TTPCom. "Nobody can accurately predict what the next killer application will be, or what combinations of bearers will be required to address each service providers needs, so we have developed a flexible architecture and service portfolio that will enable manufacturers to develop handsets that efficiently combine the multiple technologies and features that the rapidly changing market demands. True converged devices can now be for everyone, no longer the preserve of smartphone users"
 
The trend towards including multiple stacks and multiple applications in a mobile phone increases handset complexity enormously. Now operators are taking the next steps from legacy circuit switched networks towards full packet based services, including voice over IP (VoIP). Completion of the transition will probably take the industry five to ten years, but as operators are likely to take very different routes towards this common goal, there will be increased fragmentation of the market and therefore even greater complexity.
 
TTPCom's intelligent architecture for converged devices supports the following standards, with further access technologies becoming supported as markets emerge:

• IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) - the all-IP architecture for mobile and fixed multimedia services such as Instant Messaging over IP, interactive gaming and picture/video sharing
• DVB-H - the mobile digital TV standard of choice in Europe
• Bluetooth - the de facto global short-range wireless connectivity standard
• WiFi (802.11x) - the key non-cellular wireless broadband standard
• GAN/UMA - the 3GPP-defined standard for seamless handover between cellular and WiFi bearers
• A-GPS - a key emerging handset-based method of identifying handset location through the convergence of cellular and satellite positioning technologies
• FM Radio - an established broadcast technology, with significant take-up in mobile devices in emerging economies

All of these capabilities will feature in handset models from 2006 onwards and will be aided by new multitasking capabilities available to mass market handsets with TTPCom’s AJAR Platform. As new applications and services gain in importance, handset vendors will be able to support these capabilities easily, as the TTPCom architecture is fully convergence capable.
 
The TTPCom Architecture for convergence offers:

• a clean separation of hardware and software that allows the use of multiple different silicon platforms to support different features and market segments
• support for a range of different operating systems including fully featured OS, lightweight RTOS and Linux;
• support for multiple bearers, individually or together including  2.5G, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, WiMax, DVB-H, DMB etc
• compatibility with multi-level security including hardware locking, data security, content and application security.

In addition it allows applications to be added or removed quickly and easily and it allows a consistent, easy to use user interface across diverse applications.
 
About TTPCom
With 10 offices and development centres around the world, TTPCom Ltd. is the principal operating subsidiary of TTP Communications plc (LSE: TTC). The company develops intellectual property used in the design and manufacture of wireless communication terminals. TTPCom licenses its technology to leading semiconductor and terminal manufacturers worldwide, including Analog Devices, Intel, LG, NEC, Renesas, Sharp and Siemens.
 
TTPCom has established a world leading position with its GPRS, EDGE and 3G protocol software; offers rapid customisation of handsets through its AJAR applications framework; and develops both radio and baseband cellular engines through its MACRO products. More than 40 million devices using TTPCom technology were shipped during 2004. . More information can be found on TTPCom's website at: http://www.ttpcom.com.