Nvidia Corp. said Thursday that its Icera 410 4G/LTE multimode data modem chipset for tablets and clamshell devices has been tested and validated for operation on the AT&T 4G/LTE network. The Icera 410 promises to make 4G/LTE devices more affordable than they are today. Potentially, the Icera 410 may power tablets and other devices featuring Nvidia Tegra 3 and other system-on-chips.

The Icera 410 platform comprised of the ICE8061 baseband and the ICE8261 RF chips is targeted at enabling early multimode 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE devices that are comparable with current HSPA devices for price and form-factor. The chipset offers 4G/LTE at category 2 data rates (up to 50Mb/s) as well as 4G HSPA+ (21Mb/s), 3G and 2G compatibility.

"Validation with AT&T is an achievement that paves the way for Nvidia Icera-powered LTE devices on the AT&T network through this year and next," said Stan Boland, senior vice president of mobile communications at Nvidia.

AT&T qualification tests help ensure that product manufacturers can confidently select chipsets that integrate with connected devices and can quickly achieve final product qualification. The Nvidia Icera 410 dual-chip modem platform will have to undergo qualification at other operators to ensure proper work of 4G/LTE technology in order to be able to enter mass market.

Tags: Nvidia, Icera, Tegra, 4G, 3G, 2G