中國移動(dòng)(China Mobile)可能還要再過幾年才會(huì)全面部署TD-LTE網(wǎng)絡(luò)，但眾家相關(guān)科技業(yè)者已經(jīng)開始競相吸引這家全球最大移動(dòng)通信業(yè)者的注意力。在此，建立“伙伴關(guān)系”是一個(gè)關(guān)鍵，那些深陷“妄自尊大(not-invented-here)”癥候群的廠商恐怕會(huì)被排除在外。 我這么說的原因是，那些為AT&T、NTT Docomo等業(yè)者開發(fā)LTE調(diào)制解調(diào)器芯片的業(yè)者，恐怕很難自己作主，他們的調(diào)制解調(diào)器芯片得完全支持中國的TD-SCDMA與TD-LTE標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。但從另一方面來說，那些今日“擁有” TD-SCDMA市場并正在開發(fā)TD-LTE技術(shù)的，卻不一定能在未來保證進(jìn)駐中國移動(dòng)的手機(jī)。 中國移動(dòng)設(shè)定了高門檻，要求手機(jī)調(diào)制解調(diào)器能支持全球的無線通信標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。我認(rèn)為，在這場即將開打的戰(zhàn)爭中，高通(Qualcomm)無疑已經(jīng)準(zhǔn)備就緒；此外展訊通信(Spreadtrum Communications)與Marvell也是強(qiáng)勁對手。 最近展訊發(fā)表了多模TD- LTE調(diào)制解調(diào)器單芯片SC9610(以40納米制程生產(chǎn)、采用CEVA的DSP核心)，該芯片將進(jìn)駐海信(Hisense)已贏得中國移動(dòng)部分4G招標(biāo)案的數(shù)據(jù)卡(data card)采用。結(jié)合展訊的RF收發(fā)器芯片SR3500，該數(shù)據(jù)卡能支持TD-LTE、TD-SCDMA與GSM標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。 展訊并表示，該裝置還支持UE category 3格式以及ZUC加密算法，這些都是進(jìn)入中國市場的必備條件。許多市場分析師預(yù)期，展訊會(huì)在未來幾年的中國移動(dòng)TD-LTE計(jì)劃中扮演重要角色，甚至有人預(yù)言，展訊“不會(huì)讓高通為所欲為”。 但是，不會(huì)那么快發(fā)生。展訊到現(xiàn)在還沒推出支持TD-LTE、SCD-LTE、TD-SCDMA、WCDMA與EDGE所有標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的 LTE 調(diào)制解調(diào)器單芯片，我們得等到2013年才能見識(shí)到那種芯片的威力。此外，一個(gè)標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的調(diào)制解調(diào)器技術(shù)開發(fā)僅意味著它在實(shí)驗(yàn)室可行，其實(shí)地測試表現(xiàn)如何，以及是否準(zhǔn)備好通過嚴(yán)苛的認(rèn)證程序，都還有待觀察。 與其說我很渴望知道誰最有機(jī)會(huì)贏得夢寐以求的中國移動(dòng)多頻、多標(biāo)準(zhǔn)LTE調(diào)制解調(diào)器芯片訂單，我更有興趣的其實(shí)是知道哪家來自西方的業(yè)者夠聰明也夠靈巧，會(huì)藉由跟中國業(yè)者合作來推出最好的多標(biāo)準(zhǔn)LTE調(diào)制解調(diào)器芯片。 本文授權(quán)編譯自EE Times，版權(quán)所有，謝絕轉(zhuǎn)載 本文下一頁：找到正確的中國當(dāng)?shù)鼗锇?，在TD-LTE市場就成功了一半

相關(guān)閱讀：
• 想成為LTE市場王者，得看中國移動(dòng)臉色行事
• LTE終端市場上揚(yáng)，測試設(shè)備面臨新需求
• TD終端明年銷量超1億，Marvell公布多模芯片演進(jìn)路線dkUesmc

{pagination} 最近有一家來自法國巴黎的業(yè)者Sequans Communications引起我的注意，這家公司一開始鎖定WiMax市場，后來重新自我定位為4G芯片供貨商，也可能成為競逐中國TD-LTE市場的一個(gè)有力對手。Sequans最近宣布其產(chǎn)品進(jìn)駐了在中國進(jìn)行的大規(guī)模 TD-LTE實(shí)驗(yàn)網(wǎng)絡(luò)設(shè)備，其客戶國民技術(shù)(Nationz)與中啟創(chuàng)(Primemobi)兩家廠商，已經(jīng)獲得了中國移動(dòng)的合約。 目前Sequans的技術(shù)大多應(yīng)用在USB轉(zhuǎn)接器(dongles)、移動(dòng)路由器(mobile router)以及客戶端設(shè)備(CPE)，并未進(jìn)駐手機(jī)；該公司的芯片解決方案同時(shí)支持TDD與FDD-LTE，在今年稍早與具備RF與TD-SCDMA解決方案的國民技術(shù)合作。Sequans的另一家合作伙伴中啟創(chuàng)則是中國的云端運(yùn)算服務(wù)供貨商，并開發(fā)包括3G路由器、網(wǎng)關(guān)器與其它無線網(wǎng)關(guān)器系統(tǒng)。 找到正確的中國當(dāng)?shù)鼗锇?，在TD-LTE市場就成功了一半，接下來就是繼續(xù)與他們合作良好；Sequans的策略讓我好奇，為何其它來自西方世界的芯片公司沒想到這招？ 據(jù)Sequans表示，在贏得與中國移動(dòng)的合約之前，該公司經(jīng)歷了一場漫長的認(rèn)證程序；在該程序中，所有的中國本地或國際性芯片、設(shè)備領(lǐng)導(dǎo)廠商，都得接受中國移動(dòng)與中國工信部的深入技術(shù)評估。 Sequans是自2010年起就與中國移動(dòng)合作，并在 2011年參與了大規(guī)模的商用網(wǎng)絡(luò)實(shí)驗(yàn)。中國移動(dòng)將在第四季到2013年中展開第四階段的網(wǎng)絡(luò)試驗(yàn)，布署2萬個(gè)TD-LTE基地臺(tái)，并擴(kuò)展在中國13個(gè)城市的網(wǎng)絡(luò)。 目前Sequans有兩套LTE平臺(tái)，其中Mont Blanc是針對無主機(jī)的USB調(diào)制解調(diào)器、CPE或移動(dòng)路由器、熱點(diǎn)設(shè)備應(yīng)用進(jìn)行最佳化設(shè)計(jì)；Andromeda 則是針對手機(jī)與平板裝置應(yīng)用。Sequans表示，該公司的LTE芯片體積小、功能強(qiáng)，內(nèi)建SDRAM，能在10x10mm的面積尺寸提供4信道的 150Mbps速率吞吐量。 當(dāng)然，Sequans恐怕還需要很長一段時(shí)間才能確認(rèn)該公司芯片是不是有機(jī)會(huì)進(jìn)駐中國移動(dòng)的LTE手機(jī)…也想進(jìn)軍中國LTE市場嗎？各位業(yè)者們，現(xiàn)在就得把你們的調(diào)制解調(diào)器芯片準(zhǔn)備好！ 本文授權(quán)編譯自EE Times，版權(quán)所有，謝絕轉(zhuǎn)載 編譯：Judith Cheng 參考英文原文：Yoshida in China: How to win the TD-LTE market，by Junko Yoshida

相關(guān)閱讀：
• 想成為LTE市場王者，得看中國移動(dòng)臉色行事
• LTE終端市場上揚(yáng)，測試設(shè)備面臨新需求
• TD終端明年銷量超1億，Marvell公布多模芯片演進(jìn)路線dkUesmc

{pagination} Yoshida in China: How to win the TD-LTE market Junko Yoshida NEW YORK – China Mobile’s full-blown TD-LTE rollout may still be a few years away, but the race is already on among technology companies jockeying to get attention from the world’s largest mobile operator. Partnership is the key here. Those deeply mired in the “not-invented-here” syndrome need not apply. I say this because chip vendors developing LTE modems for AT&T or NTT Docomo, for example, aren’t likely to rule. Their modems need to be fully versed in China’s TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE. Conversely, those who “own” the TD-SCDMA market today and who have also made progress in developing TD-LTE technologies aren’t necessarily guaranteed to plug into China Mobile’s upcoming handset sockets, either. China Mobile has set the bar high, requiring handset modems to be compatible with all the world’s wireless communications standards. There’s no doubt in my mind that Qualcomm is well positioned in this upcoming battle. Spreadtrum Communications and Marvell Technology are also strong contenders. Indeed, Spreadtrum recently announced that its single-chip multi-mode TD-LTE modem, the SC9610, will be shipping in a Hisense data card that was awarded a portion of China Mobile's recent 4G procurement tender. Hisense's data card is designed with Spreadtrum's 40-nm single-chip TD-LTE modem, based on CEVA’s DSP. When combined with Spreadtrum’s SR3500 RF transceiver, the data card operates in TD-LTE, TD-SCDMA and GSM mode. The device supports UE category 3 as well as the ZUC encryption algorithm, a requirement for devices shipping in China, according to Spreadtrum. Many analysts expect Spreadtrum to play a big role for TD-LTE at China Mobile in the coming years. Some even suggest that Spreadtrum “won’t let Qualcomm have it their own way.” Well, not so fast. Spreadtrum hasn’t yet launched a single-chip LTE modem supporting TD-LTE, SCD-LTE, TD-SCDMA, WCDMA and EDGE. We’ll wait ‘til 2013 to see how strong that chip is going to be. Moreover, the development of a modem technology for one standard only means that it works in labs. Has it worked well in field trials? Is it ready for a stringent certification process? As much as I am keen to find out who’s best positioned to get the coveted contract for China Mobile’s multi-frequency, multi-standard LTE modem, I’m more interested to know who in the West might prove smart and nimble enough to partner with Chinese companies for the best multi-standard LTE modem. A company that caught my eye recently is Paris-based Sequans Communications. The French company, which had originally bet the farm on WiMax, has re-invented itself as a 4G chip company and is emerging as a credible contender for China’s TD-LTE market. French connection Sequans this week announced that it’s powering devices for a large-scale trial of TD-LTE technology in China. According to the company, Nationz and Primemobi, two of Sequans’ device manufacturer partners, were “awarded portions of the contract as recently announced by China Mobile.” For now, Sequans’ technology is in devices such as USB dongles, mobile routers and CPE, not in handsets. Sequans, which owns chip solutions supporting both TDD and FDD, has worked since earlier this year with Nationz, which has RF and TD-SCDMA solutions. Meanwhile, Primemobi, Sequans’ other partner, is China’s cloud-computing service provider and an advanced integrator that has developed systems including 3G router, 3G gateway and other wireless gateways. Finding the right Chinese partners is half the battle. Working with them well is the rest of the battle. Sequans’ move makes me wonder why other Western chip companies haven’t made a similar move. Before winning the contracts with China Mobile, Sequans participated “in a lengthy qualification process whereby numerous leading local and international chip and device makers endured a deep technical evaluation conducted by China Mobile and China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology,” according to the French company. Sequans has been engaged with China Mobile since 2010 and has also participated in a large-scale commercial trial that began in 2011. In the next phase of the trial, beginning in Q4 and continuing through mid-2013, China Mobile will deploy 20,000 TD-LTE base stations and extend its network to 13 cities in China. Currently, Sequans offers two LTE platforms: Mont Blanc, optimized for the design of host-less USB modems, CPE, and mobile routers or hotspots; and Andromeda, optimized for handsets and tablets. Sequans’ LTE chips are “compact and powerful, delivering category 4 throughput of up to 150 Mbps in a very small 10×10 mm package that includes SDRAM,” according to the company. Of course, we should note that it’s far from clear how Sequans might actually get its chips inside China Mobile’s LTE handsets. Gentlemen, start your modems.