Worlds First Satellite-Cellular Mobile Platform Based on SDR Technology

Infineon Technologies, SkyTerra, and TerreStar Networks today jointly announced the worlds first multi-standard mobile platform based on Infineons innovative software-defined-radio (SDR) technology. SkyTerra and TerreStar are both developing next-generation integrated satellite-terrestrial communications networks.

This groundbreaking technology will enable ubiquitous mobile communications coverage from anywhere in North America using mass-market devices costing about the same as terrestrial cellular-only devices. SDR-enabled satellite-terrestrial handsets will operate with multiple cellular and satellite-based communications technologies including GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA and GMR1-2G/3G. We are very happy to contribute our innovative SDR technology to this exciting new application of integrated satellite-terrestrial mobile devices in both SkyTerras and TerreStars networks, said Ronen Ben-Hamou, Vice President and General Manager of Software Defined Radio mobile platforms in the Wireless Division of Infineon. Together with our partners we leverage the flexibility and efficiency of our SDR technology into this connected-anywhere mobile environment, enabling operators to provide very compelling multi-standard communication devices to even the most demanding end users.

We are very pleased to work with Infineon on the development of an SDR-based chipset platform, said Drew Caplan, Chief Network Officer for SkyTerra. With this agreement, we are taking another significant step toward making combined satellite-terrestrial communications a reality for consumers, enterprise, government and public safety users. We anticipate that this SDR chipset agreement will expand our marketopportunities as well as the range of technologies and potential devices that will be satellite-terrestrial capable, providing consumers with additional cost-effective purchase options. Dennis Matheson, Chief Technology Officer at TerreStar, added: The Infineon SDR chipset is a tremendous addition to our chipset program and greatly expands the universe of devices that will be satellite enabled. In addition, the programmable nature of SDR technology allows for feature upgrades via software and shortest-ever turn-around times for nextgeneration products. We look forward to using this chipset platform to perform additional handset trials on our evolving 4G network. To enable satellite connectivity in the SDR platform, Infineon will integrate GMR1-3G technology furnished by Hughes Network Systems, a market leader for mobile satellite solutions.

About the XMM SDR 200
Infineons SDR mobile platform, called XMM SDR 200, requires only one single baseband device, the X-GOLD SDR 20 and one single RF transceiver, a member of Infineons leading SMARTi family. As X-GOLD SDR 20 also includes all power management functions on-chip, less than half the number of key components are needed compared to previous modem solutions. This platform enables satellite-terrestrial terminals in a small form factor comparable to todays cellular-only mobile phones. The XMM SDR 200 is an extremely cost- and energy-efficient solution, requiring only one dedicated chipset for the two distinct standards. With this platform, Infineon once again demonstrates its capability to provide semiconductor solutions that connect people and increase energy efficiency in electronic devices. First platform samples will be available in Q3 of 2009.