MediaTek Unveils Multimode Modem Chipset with LTE Support

Feb 03, 2014: MediaTek has unveiled its new Multimode modem chipset, designed to support LTE Release 9 and remain compatible with earlier technologies like GSM, GPRS, EDGE, DC-HSPA+, WCDMA, and TD-SCDMA.

The company recently showcased this technology at CES in Las Vegas. According to MediaTek, the MT6290 reference design has already been distributed to OEM partners, with the first commercial devices anticipated to launch in the second quarter of 2014.

MediaTek has licensed its LTE protocol stack from NTT DoCoMo and the DSP architecture from Coresonic AB. Key features of the MediaTek multimode modem include:

• Supports LTE R9 Category 4 modem using 28 nm process technology
• Supports LTE data rates of 150 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink
• Supports LTE TDD and FDD modes
• Supports multi-RATs (as mentioned above)
• Integrated RF Chip MT6169 supporting 8 primary RF inputs and 8 diversity inputs
• Supports 30 3GPP frequency bands to meet global demand

Other Multimode Modem Manufacturers

• Intel Multimode Modem XMM 7160
• Ericsson Multimode Modem M7400 and M7450
• Qualcomm Gobi 9x35 Multimode Modem