WiMAX takes center stage in Boston

BOSTON—Several vendors are launching WiMAX strategies and products as they prepare to take the stage at the WiMAX World USA 2006 trade show, running tomorrow and Wednesday in Boston. Among the announcements that coincide with the show:

• Andrew Corp.’s Comsearch subsidiary announced that it will provide spectrum management services during the conference. The company said its technology and expertise will be used to keep 140 exhibitors’ radio frequencies from interfering with each other as well as with that of licensed wireless operators in the area.
• Solectek Corp., a broadband wireless networking developer, said it has chosen Fujitsu Microelectronics America Inc.’s WiMAX chip for its SkyWAY-MAX multiservice access systems. The company said its new fixed broadband wireless platform for data, voice and video will be available at the end of the year.
• Airspan Networks Inc. launched its HiperMAX base station platform, which the company said employs software-defined radio technology to deliver “Wave 2” OFDMA 802.16e mobility with support for MIMO, beam-forming antennas and multi-vendor interoperability. Airspan said shipments are set to begin during the fourth quarter of this year.
• Wireless Facilities Inc. said it expanded its WiMAX capabilities through a strategic agreement with Redline Communications that will offer operators a set of WiMAX solutions. WFI specializes in design, deployment, integration and management of networks, and the deal with Redline enables the company to augment its existing WiMAX capabilities by bundling Redline’s WiMAX products with its existing services.
• Navini Networks unveiled its Smart WiMAX offering, which the company says uses beam-forming and MIMO technology to extend the range over which typical MIMO signals can be received and to enhance the signal’s power. Navini is taking orders for Smart WiMAX, but did not announce when it expects to begin shipping the new products.
• Fujitsu Network Communications and Fujitsu Microelectronics America Inc. launched their WiMAX product line, which includes two models of base stations—the WM100 line of outdoor RF and baseband units and the WM200 RF and baseband units. Both are designed for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Irish base-station antenna manufacturer Stella Doradus unveiled its new Netamorphic mobile WiMAX antenna, a solid state remote electrical tilt antenna that the company says constantly monitors RF and environmental conditions from a centrally controlled network operations center and adapts appropriately to ensure optimal network performance.
• Sequans Communications unveiled its mobile WiMAX chip, SQN1110. Sequans said its new chip draws a mere 350mW of power and delivers throughput speeds of more than 10 megabits per second.