CCL and UbiNetics Co-Develop WCDMA IC Design Technology

The Computer and Communications Research Laboratories (CCL) of ITRI is keen to develop 3G wireless communications technology in order to assist local companies in seizing the potential business deals. To this end, CCL signed an agreement of collaboration with UbiNetics, a British wireless communications company, on November 26th. Both parties will collaborate on the R&D of Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system and IC design technology. The cooperation is expected to step up swiftly the nation's design capacity in WCDMA system and chipset.

UbiNetics was formed in January 1999 from PA Consulting Group's Wireless Telecommunications Practice in U.K. The company designs, develops, and provides leading market solutions of 3G, 2.5G, and 2G testing and measurement equipment and reference designs. It is well-known for its success in 3G mobile communications, and has opened offices worldwide including the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, India, China, USA, and Taiwan (established in September 2002).

Earlier UbiNetics and CCL have jointly developed the prototype of WCDMA L2/L3 software. Leveraging on the previous success, both parties will emphasize collaborations on system simulation and system IC design. The agreement will also serve as a channel for technology exchange on software and hardware of baseband chipset design. This will accelerate the development of WCDMA Common IP project at CCL and eventually lead to technology transfer to local industry. At present, CCL is rigorously interacting with VIA Technologies, Media Tek, Acer, and other major local companies to plan the future development of WCDMA. CCL hopes to consolidate the resources of the local companies to upgrade the nation's technology capacity in the development of WCDMA products. ( Released December, 2002)