David Carey, President, Portelligent
TechOnline

The CDMA2000-standard KV1300 cellular phone comes with a host of the latest features emphasizing multimedia. The handset's camera is integrated into the hinge of the phone, taking either still photos or 1-minute video clips, and the KV1300's support for on-demand download of audio and video speaks further to the rich interface. Along with wireless voice/data, all these sights and sounds drive plenty of electronic content in the LG phone—much of this to support analog dimensions to the design.

AOD (Audio On Demand) capability allows MPEG4 content to be played through the internal two-speaker stereo system. A WM8731L Audio CODEC from Wolfson and two Texas Instruments TPA2005D1 Class-D audio amplifiers deliver robust, but presumably battery-friendly sound from the raw audio data. Polyphonic sound for ringtones is generated in a Yamaha YMU-762 synthesizer.

For image-capture, the CMOS VGA (0.3 mega-pixel) sensor and its companion coprocessor chip are both mode by Samsung, the sensor also having onboard A/D conversion for bringing captured pictures into the digital realm for downstream processing.

The multimedia nature of the LGKV1300's design drives the use of two color LCD panels including a 2-inch 176 X 220 pixel TFT interior display and a 1- inch STN module on the exterior. A host of discrete components on the display flex assemblies point to the need for control of display data signal integrity as high-resolution and color bit-depth kick data rates up substantially, increasing EMI concerns. In addition, silicon-based electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection chips from California Microdevices provide a safeguard around external connectors and keyboard where the 'human touch' can spell disaster from static shock.

CDMA radio devices are supplied by Qualcomm, including the transmitter (RFT3100) and the receiver (IFR 3500) chips. An RF front-end chip accomplishes first stage LNA and mixing functions and reflects the heterodyne radio architecture versus a more current direct-conversion radio solution. RF Frequency synthesis for supplying the numerous up and down-conversion mixing frequencies is achieved with an LMX2502 from National Semiconductor.

Finally, the KV1300 illustrates the need for careful power management, as power-sapping electronics content continues to rise. Aside from the Qualcomm digital basedband chip, the MSM5500 device holds a PM1000 dedicated power management component to meter and control system power. A mix of local power regulation is accomplished in components from Micrel.

Estimated manufacturing cost for the KV1300 is over $150—expensive for handsets but consistent with the sizable feature set of the phone. While digital devices and displays mop up much of the value chain, analog components enjoy a significant and essential place in design.

David Carey is President of Portelligent. The Austin, Texas company produces teardown reports and related industry research on Wireless, Mobile, and Personal Electronics. (www.teardown.com)