Altair > Case Studies > Streamlining Cellular Phone Development through Simulation: A Motorola Case Study

Streamlining Cellular Phone Development through Simulation: A Motorola Case Study

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
Networks & Connectivity - Cellular

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery
Telecommunications

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development
Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Digital Twin
Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing

Services

System Integration
Testing & Certification

About The Customer

Motorola is a global communications leader that has transformed the ubiquitous cell phone into today’s universal remote control for life. The company revolutionizes broadband, embedded systems, and wireless networks. The company that pioneered the first portable two-way radio for the U.S. Army in 1943 now helps individuals reach the people, things, and information they need in their homes, cars, workplaces, and everywhere in between. Today’s cell phones developed by Motorola are incredibly complex, with multiple printed-circuit boards and large, multifunctional liquid crystal displays (LCDs). They also have the ability to support multiple data protocols such as code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) – all in a single, sleek hand-held device.

The Challenge

Motorola, a global communications leader, is faced with the challenge of developing increasingly complex cell phones that support multiple data protocols and are built to withstand rugged use. The company is driven by shortened design cycles, increasing product complexity, and reduced profit margins. Design cycles that took 18 months in 1998 are now pushing toward a six-month goal to meet business-critical product launches and fixed ship dates. To maintain a healthy profit margin, Motorola must keep down the overall cost of producing the product. The company also needs to understand 'real-world' reliability well before next-generation cell phones hit the shelves. This requires capturing product-life behavior, predicting areas needing improvement, and generating high-quality products within a greatly reduced time frame.

The Solution

To address these challenges, Motorola has increased its use of computer-aided engineering (CAE) earlier in the design cycle. The company is using Altair HyperWorks for up-front simulation along with prototype testing to aid in the development process. This approach has enabled the company to capture product-life behavior, predict areas needing improvement, and generate high-quality products within a greatly reduced time frame. The use and customization of advanced CAE software have streamlined the mechanical prototype process while greatly increasing design robustness. Significantly decreasing simulation time has enabled Motorola engineers to identify and correct potential issues early in the development cycle. Reduction in simulation cycle time is also critical to shorten time to market, which, in turn, has a positive impact on the company’s bottom line.

Operational Impact

The use of simulation in the design process has allowed Motorola to streamline its product development process, reducing time to market and increasing product robustness. The company can now perform several simulation passes on concept geometry before costly injection molding tools need to be built. This was a luxury that was impossible even two years ago. The automation of model development and the use of advanced CAE software have also allowed Motorola to identify and correct potential issues early in the development cycle. This has resulted in high-quality products that meet the demands of the market. The use of simulation has also replaced the traditional 'build-and-test' approach, leading to more efficient and effective product development.

Quantitative Benefit

Decreased design cycles from 18 months in the late 1990s to under a year in 2005.
Reduced model setup time from 20 days to only two days.
Performed model checks in just one hour, compared to the traditional 15 to 20 hours, representing an approximately 80-percent to 90-percent time savings.