Introduction to Handset Technologies

The mobile handset, in terms of its design and functionality, must satisfy three distinct
sets of requirements . These relate to the network operators, the endusers,
and the handset vendors themselves. The requirements of the end user will often focus
on features and capabilities, and the overall ease of use (usability), and of course, the end user would like maximum functionality for minimum cost. Increasingly, the aesthetic
appeal of the handset is important as it evolves from the functional devices of
early handsets to fashion items that a user may wish to change every 12 to 18 months.
Although users often look for complex feature sets in handsets, research indicates that
a typical user frequently uses only 15 to 20 percent of the phone’s capabilities.
For a network operator the handset represents the front end of the network and
is the platform through which users gain access to the rich set of services offered.
This again means feature sets and capabilities, and the ease of use is critical. The
network operator is also very interested in handset cost because in many markets
the handset is still subsidized by the operators, and therefore they bear some of the
real handset costs.

Handset vendors are increasingly asked to provide evermore complex devices
that are smaller and lighter than their predecessors yet cost no more or even less.
The overall cost of the actual handset components is further complicated by the
issue of technology licensing. A current 3G phone will contain many noncellular
technologies, such as video codecs and picture compression algorithms, for which
a license fee is payable to third-party innovators. Another major issue for handset
vendors is brand maintenance; in the mind of the enduser, the phone may become
associated with the network and not the original handset manufacturer, and the
manufacturers expend a lot of effort in keeping their brand profile high.

The requirement to satisfy the sometimes-conflicting requirements of all parties
means that the market for handsets has inevitably fragmented in terms of device
capability and form factor. The devices produced for the prepay segment are very
different from those aimed at the high end of the market.

Original Equipment and Device Manufacturers
In the area of manufacturing — and mobile handsets are no exception — the topic
of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will normally surface. An OEM
is a manufacturing company that produces components or sometimes
complete pieces of equipment to the specifications and design of another company,
the value-added reseller (VAR).

The VAR will either take components from one or
more OEMs and integrate these into a system, or take an entire OEM assembly and
repackage it. The level of repackaging might be as basic as relabeling products to
adding greater value (e.g., software and other elements).

Batteries
The handset battery is an essential component and is one of the largest contributors
to the total weight and volume of the final product. It represents the balance
between the competing demands of supplying energy and being as light and small
as possible.

There are many processes within the mobile handset that are relatively energy
hungry. These include the radio circuits, the processing for voice and
multimedia signals, and the display. Various techniques are deployed both within
the handset and in the specifications of the radio technology that aim at reducing
energy consumption and therefore lengthening the life of the battery.

Although battery technology has come a long way since the early days of mobile
networks, it can take up to ten years for a battery technology to proceed from concept
to being fully commercially available.