|
AITRA Industry Backgrounder:
Cell Phone Component Set up with High Flexibility
 Source: Topology Research Institute, 2007/1
Cell phones have moved from a simple communication tool of pure text and voice to a highly mobile integrated operation platform, to spur the development of phone components for hi resolution digital cameras, WLAN and TFT color LCDs. Huge demand for cell phones in emerging regions has pushed developments toward multi-functional chips and SOC (system on a chip) capable of digital information processing.
As cell phone ID (Industry Design) became increasingly valued, the design of cell phones is gradually moving on from the components focused method, now predominant in ID oriented designs. Components manufacturers must produce relevant components in accordance with the ID of the individual major cell phone manufacturers. Component manufacturers are therefore incredibly focused upon enhancing design capability to maintain competitiveness in the drive to reduce production time and costs, miniaturization, and high-level customization.
Taiwan’s component manufacturers in the past received mainly ODM orders from foreign companies – PC and NB. Taiwan’s cell phone industry’s efforts in components are therefore extensions of this traditional PC industry and are still at the primary stages of chip research and development. However, Taiwan’s manufacturers still have the capability to grasp the development of the mid/low stream cell phone components.
Highly customized flexible design capability is the most distinctive feature of cell phone components. It can be applied to a specific group of consumers in a dynamic way in order to heighten a product’s attractiveness. To match the need of normal voice communication users phone devices can now be equipped with GSM or 3G Voice-Only transmission standard. And these pieces can still attract the attention of consumers with their metal shell, even though they lack the digital camera and MP3.
The smart phone designed for business users on the other hand, is equipped with a high processing capability wireless communication chip, plus AP (Application Processor) chip, and touch screen and WLAN.
With high level customization of cell phone products, applications of the components are becoming more flexible and apart from the hardware, the integration of software and firmware will play a key role in future developments. |
