A company called Amalfi Semiconductor, which is based in Los Gatos, California, and is backed by some blue chip venture capitalists, has just announced its development of what they are calling the world’s smallest, highest performing CMOS-based transmit module for cellular handsets. In typical semiconduictor company fashion, the new product has been creatively named the AM7802. But if you’re interested in how the product works or if the technological details of the device are important to you, there’s more information here. Basically, the most important things about this device include that it is smaller, cheaper, and it requires less power to operate which in turn means cellphone manufacturers can make less expensive handsets… apparently a lot less expensive. As a result, this semiconductor company has what it feels is a very strong emerging markets strategy backed by facts and third party analysis. Here’s what they say:

The AM7802 is a dual band GSM/GPRS transmit module targeted primarily at the entry and ultra low cost (ULC) market segments in emerging markets. The ULC segment is targeted by all OEMs, including the traditional tier-one handset manufacturers and is one of the few segments that sustained market growth during the recent world economic downturn… “The emerging market handset (EMH) market segment is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9% between 2008 and 2012,” said Brian Modoff, Senior Wireless Equipment Analyst at Deutsche Bank. “The availability of a proven CMOS technology that enables handset manufacturers to deliver superior performance and lower cost handset solutions with more efficient battery usage could drive CMOS to become the dominant technology in this market.”