The GSM cellular system (global system for mobile) is now open in many
European countries. The introduction of such a system has requested f
or the manufacturers very important investments, particularly technolo
gical investments. Beginning with the description of the architecture
of a GSM terminal, the paper presents the specific components develope
d by Alcatel for its hand-portable terminal. These developments are de
tailed by the description of some of these components which are repres
entative of the architecture, methods and technologies used by Alcatel
. An analysis of future directions for the optimization of these compo
nents ends this paper.