World's first GSM direct conversion radio chipset wins 'Product of the year Award'

16 Feb 2000 News

Analog Devices' Othello chipset, the world's first open-market GSM (global system for mobile communications) direct conversion radio chipset, was awarded Electronic Products' magazine's 'Product of the Year' for 1999. This award represents the latest in a series of accolades for the Othello chipset. Analog Devices' direct conversion radio chipset was also named to EDN's premiere '100 Hot Products 1999' list for North America and EDN's '50 Hot Products 1999' for Europe.

The Othello chipset is composed of the AD6523 transceiver and the AD6524 multi-band synthesizer. Direct conversion technology converts incoming RF signals directly to a baseband signal, eliminating expensive, intermediate-frequency mixer, amplifier and filter components. Othello's patent-pending radio architecture is said to provide 30-50% savings in cost and size for next-generation dual-band and triple-band GSM phones. This breakthrough in radio frequency (RF) includes signifi- cant improvements in power consumption. The chipset en-ables up to 1000 h of standby time for GSM cellular phones, allowing users to go months without having to recharge a phone. In addition says the company, Othello paves the way for next-generation cellular phones by enabling data rates 25 to 30 times greater than today's GSM data rates of 14,4 Kbps, making possible high-bandwidth applications such as web browsing, e-mail, games and realtime video.

For further information about Analog Devices contact local representatives,

Analog Data Products, 011) 805 6507

or

Parsec Components,(012) 349 2282.

Further reading:

RE+ South Africa 2026: From strategy to execution
News
Taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 02 to 04 June 2026, this new addition to South Africa’s energy landscape introduces a focused commercial and industrial energy event within a proven exhibition platform.

Read more...

---

Africa Energy Indaba announces 2027 dates
News
Following the continued success and growing global impact of the Africa Energy Indaba, organisers have announced the dates for the 19th edition of the Africa Energy Indaba 2027.

Read more...

---

RS South Africa named master distributor for the Arduino UNO Q
RS South Africa News
RS South Africa announced that it has been named Master Distributor for the Arduino UNO Q SBC platform across South Africa and the broader African region.

Read more...

---

Engineering in a world that cannot assume connectivity
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice News
Across industrial automation, networking, and defence systems, engineers are rediscovering the importance of resilience and autonomy in an increasingly connected world.

Read more...

---

IOT secures major industry partnership
IOT Electronics News
IOT Electronics has announced a new strategic partnership with Powell Electronics, becoming an Official Authorised Reseller in South Africa.

Read more...

---

Successful Proteus training conference
Dizzy Enterprises News
Dizzy Enterprises recently hosted two hands-on Proteus Training Conferences, bringing together electronics professionals, designers, and enthusiasts to explore the latest capabilities of the Proteus Design Suite from Labcenter Electronics.

Read more...

---

Hitachi reinvents asset management solution
News
Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with Microsoft, is accelerating the digital transformation of essential infrastructure - from electricity networks and transportation corridors to heavy industrial operations - by reinventing how critical assets are managed and maintained.

Read more...

---

Mycronic releases mixed Q4 results
News
Mycronic reported mixed Q4 results for the year ended January to December 2025, while delivering record full year order intake and net sales.

Read more...

---

AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Read more...

---

European components distribution growing
News
European electronic components distribution returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures from DMASS Europe.

Read more...

---