Nvidia to Demo VoLTE, LTE Gaming at MWC 2012

Next week at MWC 2012, Nvidia is demoing LTE (Long Term Evolution, latest standard in the mobile network technology) gaming using its software defined radio modem, and seamless voice call switching between 3G and LTE (Long Term Evolution, latest standard in the mobile network technology) networks.

Earlier this week, Nvidia revealed the very first smartphone, the ZTE Mimosa X, to feature all-Nvidia chips -- namely the Tegra 2 and Icera 450 HSPA+ modem. At the time on Tuesday it announced a partnership with GCT Semiconductor and Renesas Mobile to add LTE support to its quad-core Tegra 3 SoC. Now the company plans to showcase its recently-acquired Icera technology at once week at Mobile World Congress 2012 including Voice over LTE and live LTE gaming.

Boland explains that SRVCC enables voice calls to seamlessly hop between 4G and 3G networks, which will exist side by side for some time to come. This is good for operators like AT&T and Verizon as they work to kick their voice traffic off the aging 3G donkey and over to the zippier 4G LTE race horse. Once that migration happens, they'll be able to re-use the 3G spectrum for super-fast LTE research.

Single radio in the handset for hand-off

SRVCC relies on a single radio in the handset for hand-off. It as well relies on a single multimode baseband processor like the Icera LTE modem which supports LTE VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and circuit-switched 3G. The Icera solution replaces the need for using two separate basebands for each air interface, and allows for smaller phone designs, lower power consumption and longer battery life.

Also at the show Nvidia plans to demo live LTE-based gaming using its software defined radio modem. This to tell the truth crams 4G, 3G and 2G radio technologies into one package during also implementing full handover capabilities that operators will need then year. The Nvidia Icera LTE modem leverages this innovation which Boland says will enable software upgradable functions to OEMs and carriers, offering high throughput and best-in-class power and small die size.

"The Nvidia Icera modem is currently used more than any other modem to validate LTE handover test cases designed to meet the requirements set by  global standards organizations," he said. "This means consumers will experience a smooth and fast connection, regardless of whether they are using an LTE, 3G or 2G network."

He added that Nvidia's SDR research will enable faster time to market for new air interface technologies and lower R&D expenses for handset manufacturers. That said, Nvidia is adding a "bevy" of wireless technologies to its 2012 - 2013 roadmap including LTE FDD, TD-LTE, 42Mbps Dual Carrier and TD-SCDMA to boot to existing HSPA+, HSPA and 2G technologies.