Phones for all

today announced sample availability of its first reference design for ultra-low-cost handsets. Using Infineon’s new ULC reference platform, which is based on a single-chip GSM solution, costs for GSM handsets with SMS functionality could be reduced by nearly one half in the near future, from $35 to below $20.

These costs cover the entire mobile phone, including all electronic components, printed-circuit-board, connectors, casing with keypad and display, all software components, rechargeable batteries, charger, packaging and documentation.

Infineon claims that it’s ULC reference platform provides all the electronic hardware and software components needed in dual-band handsets complying with the GSM900/1800 and GSM850/1900 standards.

It includes a single-chip GSM radio/baseband, other RF components, power supply, memory, operating system, hardware drivers, GSM protocol stack and a reference MMI (Man Machine Interface) for simple use of SMS and telephone functionalities. Volume production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2006, which means that ultra-low-cost handsets could be in the shops a few months later.