CEVA, Inc., the licensor of Digital Signal Processor (DSP) cores and integrated applications to the semiconductor industry, and Spreadtrum Communications, a leading provider of wireless integrated circuit (IC) and software solutions, announced today that Spreadtrum has begun shipping to Chinese customers it's GSM/GPRS modules and baseband chips for 2G/2.5G handsets powered by CEVA-TeakLite DSP Core.

In addition, the two companies announced today that they have extended their relationship with Spreadtrum's licensing the higher performance CEVA-Teak DSP Core to power chips targeting China's next generation 3G cellular standards. Spreadtrum has licensed CEVA's Dual MAC CEVA-Teak DSP Core for wireless communications for both GSM/GPRS/Multimedia handsets as well as solutions migrating to the 3G TD-SCDMA and W-CDMA standards.

This focus on China by Spreadtrum and CEVA is targeted to take advantage of the considerable opportunities in the world's fastest growing economy and cellular market. The TD-SCDMA standard, primarily aimed at the Chinese market, will deliver broadband wireless data rates enabling operators to migrate from existing GSM/GPRS networks to third-generation functionality without major infrastructure changes.

Spreadtrum has commenced shipping to their customers the GSM/GPRS Digital Base Band chip, the SC6600, which is powered by CEVA-TeakLite DSP. The SC6600 is a highly integrated GSM/GPRS single baseband mixed-signal chip containing all digital and analog functionality for a GSM/GPRS wireless phone. The SC6600 provides both voice and data functions, and can be used in GSM/GPRS tri-band cell phones, data modems and other mobile terminal devices. Reference designs for a complete GSM/GPRS handset terminal are available.