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Qualcomm's Next-Generation Gobi Platform Consolidates Mobile Standards Support for Future iOS Devices

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Apr 12, 2001
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Qualcomm today announced the launch of its fifth-generation Gobi reference platform that seeks to pack support for nearly all of the major worldwide mobile standards into a single chip. While the reference platform is not ready in time for inclusion in the iPad 3, it does pave the way for future world-mode iOS devices and is targeted at ultra-thin notebooks and tablets.
Based on Qualcomm's Gobi 4G LTE wireless baseband modems, the MDM9615(TM) and MDM9215(TM), the technology delivers fast LTE connectivity on FDD and TDD networks worldwide, with backwards compatibility to both HSPA+ and EV-DO networks. This will allow support for regional LTE frequencies with backwards compatibility to existing 2G/3G technologies, allowing Gobi 4G LTE devices to connect to the faster LTE network locally and stay connected to the Internet globally on 3G networks worldwide. [...]

Qualcomm's latest Gobi 4G LTE connectivity reference platform includes embedded GPS capability and features an application programming interface (API) with LTE extensions, which is compatible with leading connectivity standards, including CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B, HSPA+, dual-carrier HSPA+, TD-SCDMA and LTE, with integrated backwards compatibility to HSPA and EV-DO.
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Gobi offers a layer of software enhancements on top of Qualcomm's MDM chipsets in order to streamline wireless connectivity across technologies.

qualcomm_gobi_300.jpg



Apple already uses a world-mode chip to support both GSM and CDMA networks in the iPhone 4S, but the device does not support faster LTE networks now being deployed. The iPad 3 has been claimed to support LTE, and will likely be using a world-mode chip capable of falling back onto both GSM and CDMA 3G networks.

Apple has held off on supporting LTE so far because the technology has simply not been available in a single-chip solution meeting Apple's size and power requirements. But with Qualcomm's new single chip designs now making their way to availability, Apple has options that suit its design and performance goals for future devices.

While the identity of the LTE wireless chip in the iPad 3 has not yet been revealed, Qualcomm's roadmap suggests that Apple may be looking to use the MDM9600 (or MDM9615) in the iPad 3. For the iPhone 5 due later this year, Apple would likely utilize the MDM9615, which does pack voice capabilities onto the LTE chip.

Article Link: Qualcomm's Next-Generation Gobi Platform Consolidates Mobile Standards Support for Future iOS Devices
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/21/qualcomms-next-generation-gobi-platform-consolidates-mobile-standards-support-for-future-ios-devices/
I'm pretty sure a large, 45nm and two year old MDM9600 chipset is NOT what Apple is gonna be using in any device, as this chipset has been available since before iPad 2 has been announced (late 2010). Apple never wanted to use it. New MDM9615 has similar capabilities as MDM9600 (without voice support), but it's packed in a much smaller 10x10mm die and created using 28nm manufacturing process.

My guess is WiFi iPad 3 comes out first, LTE version follows a few weeks later, with MDM9615 since this chipset has been in production for more than a month.
You'll be seeing first MDM9615, or Krait S4 in general smartphones being displayed on Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week.
 
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Also noted it supports TD-SCDMA, a likely candidate to enable the next iPhone to used with China Mobile. Opening the iPhone to an additional 650 million people.....

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hurrderrp said:
what are "voice capabilities" and why do I want my iPhone 5 to have them?
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Current LTE chips are data only (IE in order to use both data and voice at the same time, the phone would require two radios to be on at the same time, sucking down power) - as carriers begin supporting voice on LTE, this will come in handy.
 
BenRoethig said:
iPad wouldn't use the 9600 series, they'd use the 9200 which is the data only version.
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Completely wrong. Both MDM9600 and MDM9200 are data only chipsets, with MDM9600 in addition to GSM/HSPA/DC-HSPA also adds CDMA and EVDO fallback support, and MDM9200 doesn't.

Let's stick to the facts.
 
Pack 'em all in, on the same chip! Reminds me of the great blackout of how- many-years-ago, in the Northeast. My wife and I by chance were in Niagara-on-the-lake Ontario, at a play; the lights flickered, but that was it. Over a relaxed dinner, we learned of the entire East Coast being blacked out, except for our town. Likely when Niagara Falls was first harnessed, there was a local line, just to Niagara-on-the-Lake, and it was folded into the later networks. But still with its local wires! My chip will still have the original on it, when everything else folds....
 
Maybe this is the same chip that T-Mobile was referring to when they talked about iPhone 5 likely being compatible with their HSPA+ AWS 1700 network.
 
1080p said:
Maybe this is the same chip that T-Mobile was referring to when they talked about iPhone 5 likely being compatible with their HSPA+ AWS 1700 network.
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The current iPhone 4S Qualcomm chipset already supports AWS but Apple chose to use power amps and other rf components (duplexers, filters) needed that do not support T-Mobiles AWS band.
I'm pretty sure the next iPhone will be compatable with T-Mobile's band.
 
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milan03 said:
I'm pretty sure a large, 45nm and two year old MDM9600 chipset is NOT what Apple is gonna be using in any device, as this chipset has been available since before iPad 2 has been announced (late 2010). Apple never wanted to use it. New MDM9615 has similar capabilities as MDM9600 (without voice support), but it's packed in a much smaller 10x10mm die and created using 28nm manufacturing process.
Click to expand...

I think the reason why the 9600 got tagged is because the 9615 was projected for Q2 2012 and most expected the iPad3 to ship in Q1 2012. It didn't seem like it would be available.


My guess is WiFi iPad 3 comes out first, LTE version follows a few weeks later, with MDM9615 since this chipset has been in production for more than a month.
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If the production yields are high enough that wouldn't be a problem. The problem is the track record folks like TMSC have built up doesn't leave high expectations that a month is long enough to keep up. (especially with the other 28nm products coming on online now also. )

Additionally, given Apple's track record I think you are being very optimistic. It was about a month after the WiFi iPad1 that Apple got the modem unit out the door. It wouldn't be surprising to see the same thing happen this time. Apple has one of the poorest track records of any major player of actually ordering the right amount of parts before launch. My suspicion is that they will spin another chronic parts problem into several extra weeks of free publicity.

That actually helps to solve the "not available before Q2" problem also since it will push back the modem version deeper into Q2.
 
Not ready yet for prime time. Maybe by Fall for a phone, but no way they are putting this in an iPad that's been in full production since November.
 
thewitt said:
Not ready yet for prime time. Maybe by Fall for a phone, but no way they are putting this in an iPad that's been in full production since November.
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Actually 28nm Qualcomm baseband chipsets have been sampling since Q4 2011. Apple doesn't need millions of these chipsets to build their device around. Looking at Apple's last two smartphones using Qualcomm baseband and selling rediculous amount of units, I'm pretty sure that reserving and paying Qualcomm for early access is a non issue.
Mobile World Congress starts next week, and Qualcomm already announced that several OEMs will be announcing their Krait based smartphones using that same baseband. http://gigaom.com/mobile/qualcomm-no-quad-core-phones-at-mwc-but-well-have-something-better/
The production is in full swing in TMSC, my friends.
 
Diode said:
Also noted it supports TD-SCDMA, a likely candidate to enable the next iPhone to used with China Mobile. Opening the iPhone to an additional 650 million people.....

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Current LTE chips are data only (IE in order to use both data and voice at the same time, the phone would require two radios to be on at the same time, sucking down power) - as carriers begin supporting voice on LTE, this will come in handy.
Click to expand...

Assuming Apple allows it. Has any carrier talked about supporting voice over LTE?
 
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