Qualcomm adopts Linux for 3G mobile phones

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May 06, 2005

[Updated 4:15PM] -- Number two mobile chipset vendor Qualcomm is now supporting embedded Linux on a chipset for CDMA (code division multiple access) mobile phones. Additionally, the company says it will support Linux across its entire line of "Enhanced Mobile Multimedia" chipsets for 3G UMTS, HSDPA, and CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Rev. A phones.

Qualcomm is the second largest vendor of chipsets for mobile phones, and has been gaining ground on market leader Texas Instruments, according to market research firm Forward Concepts. Qualcomm dominates the market for CDMA chipsets, Forward Concepts says.

Traditionally, Qualcomm's chipsets for mobile phones have supported only its proprietary BREW RTOS (real-time operating system). Linux is the first third-party operating system Qualcomm has supported, it says.

The MSM6550 CDMA chipset

Qualcomm's Linux offering for its MSM6550 chipset runs Linux alongside BREW under virtual platform technology that divvies up the resources of a single chipset between the two operating systems. Typically, mobile phones that run Linux do so on a secondary chipset, while an RTOS running on the primary chipset handles real-time data processing and modem control. Qualcomm says its integrated, single-chipset support for Linux "substantially reduces design costs and complexity" compared to multiple-chipset implementations.

MSM6500 chipset architecture diagram
(Click to enlarge)
Qualcomm says its combined Linux/BREW solution for the MSM6550 allows phone makers to include pre-loaded features, including the user interface, while enabling them to deliver content and application downloads that help differentiate their products and services.

A Qualcomm spokesperson said the company is not prepared to comment publicly about what brand of Linux it uses, or where it got its virtual platform technology. However, virtual platform technology that supports Linux and targets mobiles phones has recently been marketed by Jaluna. Jaluna is a member of early Linux phone leader MontaVista's Mobilinux partner network.

Qualcomm's president of CDMA technology, Dr. Sanjay K. Jha, said, "By introducing Linux on the MSM, Qualcomm supports manufacturer partners who wish to leverage existing Linux applications, third-party developers, and application catalogs to reduce their software development costs and improve time-to-market. We are expanding the software development environment of our chipsets to address the growing market interests for Linux as well as other third-party operating systems."

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