Tensilica’s Xtensa processors fit in several types of wireless applications:

1. In handset designs, where existing processor performance is inadequate yet hard-wired solutions are too inflexible. Applications such as audio and video processing are easily implemented using an optimized Xtensa processor. Check out our Consumer applications section for more information on these applications.
2. In the digital baseband portion of the mobile handset, handling the 3G forward error correction standard and turbo coding.
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3. In wireless USB solutions. Read more...
In wireless video transmission. Read More...

Find out more about how Xtensa processors are ideal for wireless applications:

• Simple optimizations let Xtensa 7 processors achieve an 11x speed-up in a GSM audio codec.
• Tailored instructions provided a 250x speed improvement in a Viterbi decoding algorithm
• Xtensa processors power world’s first digital broadcast-enabled mobile phone from LG Electronics.

Digital Cellular Baseband Processor

In emerging markets in developing countries, there’s a need for extremely low cost, voice-only cellular handsets. This will force even higher integration in the silicon chips to meet very aggressive cost targets. Traditionally, the digital baseband processor has both a small RISC control CPU and a dedicated DSP core for audio processing. Ultra low-cost voice handsets will need higher integration levels in both the digital and analog portions of the silicon.

Due to the need for higher integration in the digital portion of the baseband processor, Tensilica’s Xtensa CPU architecture is the best choice for this function. Tensilica’s base Xtensa processor is an efficient RISC controller, and the instruction set can be extended to handle the tasks in a digital baseband application presently performed by a dedicated DSP core. A single development environment speeds system design, and lower overall costs are easily achieved with the Xtensa architecture.

Xtensa Configuration Highlights

• Custom instructions for digital baseband DSP functions
• Minimal silicon area, combine CPU and DSP
• Viterbi support to eliminate dedicated hardware

Xtensa Benefits

• Eliminate separate DSP core, reduces area
• Performs previously hardwired functions in processor extensions, reduces costs
• Single development environment decreases system design integration time

Wireless USB

Xtensa processors are being used by several customers for wireless USB applications.

WiQuest Communications, Inc.'s WQST110/101 Certified Wireless USB silicon is being used by Dell and Lenovo in their latest notebook PC products. Dell's Inspiron 1720 notebook and Lenovo's ThinkPad T61/T61p 15.4-inch widescreen notebook computers are part of the first wave of wireless USB platform certifications awarded by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). Further wireless USB embedded PCs, adapaters and hubs, based on WiQuest certified silicon, are expected to be certified soon.

Dell Inspiron 1720	Lenovo ThinkPad T61/T61p

Notebook computers with WiQuest's wireless USB solution.

Wireless Video Transmissions

SiBEAM, Inc., a leading innovator of millimeter wave (mmWave) solutions and developer of high-speed wireless communications platforms, is using Tensilica’s Xtensa® configurable processor for a baseband DSP in the wireless link for consumer electronics and display applications, such as HDTV. These applications demand high data rate transmission to multiple devices within an indoor wireless environment using conventional CMOS silicon. By optimizing the Xtensa processor into a tailored processor core, their products can attain the multi-gigabit performance these wireless applications demand.