Broad selection
Semiconductor companies just keep sneaking out new chips in the build-up to Mobile World Congress 2011. At the start of the week we had the unveiling of TI's new application processor family, now Broadcom's getting in on the act.
We generally associate Broadcom more with communications chips than application processors, but with Qualcomm moving even further into its turf after acquiring Atheros, Broadcom has decided to return the favour.
There were actually two SoCs announced today. The headliner is the BCM28150, which combines a new Merlyn application processor with Broadcom's VideoCore, erm, video core (OK, it does graphics too), and communications chips, etc. Merlyn uses two ARM Cortex A9 cores as does NVIDIA's Tegra 2.
"Broadcom is one of the few technology companies that can bring together all the key market proven, advanced technologies required for smartphones that will capture the imaginations of mainstream consumers," said Rafael Sotomayor, marketing VP of Broadcom's baseband business. "Our BCM21850 processor and its Broadstone reference platform make it easier than ever for OEMs to bring to market all the smartphone features that people want in an affordable handset designs."
If that's not affordable enough for you, how about the BCM21654, which Broadcom also launched today? This is designed specifically for mainstream Android handsets, with built-in support for Android 2.3 and beyond, and seems to have just the one Cortex A9 core.
"With consumers increasingly seeking out affordable handsets that deliver the optimal smartphone experience, Broadcom is packing more processing power into its baseband system-on-a-chip processor solutions to meet this need," said Sotomayor. "Our new Android smartphone processor will enable top-tier graphics and faster user interface performance at mass market price points that will help to drive adoption of this platform."
Broadcom is a well established player in the communications chip market, but less so in applications processors. With this launch it seems to be looking to slot into the mid and low end of the booming smartphone market.
