Soma's WiMAX to use ArrayComm technology to boost range and capacity

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by Stuart Corner

Friday, 22 June 2007

! WiMAX equipment maker, Soma Networks, is to integrate technology from ArrayComm, developer of the iBurst broadband wireless system, to enable Mobile WiMAX network operators "to benefit from the greatest possible cell range and coverage, increased spectral efficiencies and greater network capacity." Related stories Long term evolution promising 100Mbps on 3G, but Fixed wireless focus boosts BigAir More woes for WiMAX? 802.20 rises from the dead - UPDATED. Leading mobile WiMAX vendors pool patents Forget the Heron; what's new in Ubuntu's Intrepid Ibex? The Mobile WiMAX standard specifies the use of one or both of two technologies to boost performance: multiple input multiple output (MIMO) in which both the base station and the subscriber unit use dual antennas enabling data to be carried on multiple radio paths, and adaptive antenna systems in which the antenna array on the base station is able to 'focus' the radio signal on each subscriber unit in real time. Under a joint development effort Soma Networks will integrate ArrayComm's multi-antenna signal processing (MAS) software, that includes support of MIMO, AAS and combined MIMO/AAS modes, into Soma's FlexMAX Mobile WiMAX system. According to Soma, "Operator economics are extremely challenging in last mile, broadband to the home (BTTH) deployments, especially in emerging and rural markets. Operators are often faced with harsh environmental conditions, as well as a widely dispersed and sparse customer base. MAS provides WiMAX systems with a next generation competitive advantage that removes the barriers to serving the BTTH markets." Soma claims that, by using ArrayComm's technology, the FlexMAX will be able to choose the optimum mix of radio propagation technologies on a user-by-user basis to deliver two to four times more coverage and capacity, an overall reduction in the number of base stations required; and optimal performance in a variety of environments. ArrayComm's president, Steve Sifferman, claimed that "While WiMAX Forum baseline profiles and certification 'waves' are a good start, there are significant performance gains (from 50 percent to 200 percent improvements) that can be achieved by leveraging more advanced software." The ArrayComm technology has been applied to several other radio transmission systems - PHS, GSM, W-CDMA, and HC-SDMA and, According to ArrayComm is used in more than 300,000 radio base stations in commercial deployments.{moscomment} Please enable JavaScript in your browser to post your comment! Tags See All Tags Stuart Corner  WiMAX  Wireless broadband  Get stories like this delivered daily - FREE - subscribe now

 

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