New Broadcom 4G LTE-Advanced Modem is Industry's Smallest Yet

Broadcom Corporation, a specialist in semiconductors, today unveiled the industry's smallest 4G LTE-Advanced modem. Called the BCM21892, this multi-mode, multi-band solution delivers the latest features, as well as the power and performance needed for the development of next-generation 4G LTE smartphones and tablets.

The BCM21892 is compliant with all 3GPP specifications and combines a fully featured cellular baseband with a world-band radio – all in a form factor approximately 35 percent smaller than most current industry solutions.

Indeed, this 4G LTE modem is built with a 28 nm manufacturing process, allowing not only for a smaller footprint, but also reduced energy consumption, saving upwards of 25 percent of the power typically used during data transmission – with the help of advanced power management techniques.

Meanwhile, the BCM21892 supports LTE Category 4 speeds of 150 Mbps, is capable of operating in any 3GPP network, and can switch seamlessly between various 4G LTE, 3G and 2G interface technologies.

"Broadcom's new 4G LTE modem combined with our Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC technologies gives OEMs all the communications technologies needed to build advanced devices that will offer consumers the features, speed and functionality they demand in their next smartphone purchase," said Robert A. Rango, executive vice president and general manager for Broadcom's Mobile and Wireless Group, in a statement. "Broadcom's 4G LTE modem will also help carriers drive new 4G LTE features, such as carrier aggregation, into commercial networks."

The BCM21892 also features a voice over LTE (VoLTE) solution that enables high-definition voice calls over a mobile broadband connection, while consuming about 40 percent less power than a comparable WCDMA voice call.

In January, Broadcom unveiled its new VoIP switch system system-on-a-chip series, StrataConnect. Targeted specifically at SMBs, this new line of SoCs will allow for the combination of Layer 2 and Layer 3 VoIP deployments.

Earlier in the month, the company announced a new ADSL gateway solution designed for emerging markets. The ninth-generation Broadcom BCM6318 ADSL2+ gateway complements Broadcom's existing line of xDSL products by offering a low cost solution.