With eyes set on multimode services, fabless semiconductor start-up Quorum Systems has released a single-chip integrated circuit (IC) for multimode wireless communications. Called Quorum Connection QC2530, it is a highly integrated RF transceiver that can support wireless local area network (WLAN) and quad-band GSM cellular applications simultaneously. The company validated the QC 2530 recently by successfully completing the first call-to-network.

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Handsets based on QC2530 will enable carriers to provide a seamless user experience across Wi-Fi and cellular service. Thus, a single unit can make voice calls over GSM network using a Bluetooth-enabled headset or download Mbytes of data from a nearby Wi-Fi network. In addition, using VoIP, it can transfer a GSM voice call to the Wi-Fi network, enabling carriers to handle more traffic.

“The QC2530 heralds a new level of RF IC integration enabling the convergence of the cellular and Wi-Fi markets,” stated Bernard Xavier, founder, president and chief executive officer of Quorum Systems. In fact, Quorum is not alone in this space as several other startups are also pursuing this merged cellular/Wi-Fi market, which the analysts predict will begin gathering momentum starting this year.

The QC2530 converges 802.11b/g WLAN and cellular GSM/GPRS/EDGE technologies in a single silicon germanium (SiGe) chip that offers smaller footprint, lower manufacturing cost, and flexibility as compared to today’s multichip approach.