Wifi Revolution

ApaceWave Technologies, a developer of high-performance baseband processors for the global WiMAX industry, recently unveiled its APW-2000 Mobile Station System-on-a-Chip (SoC) at the WiMAX (News - Alert) Summit in Beijing.

The APW-2000 is a high-performance, low-power, mobile WiMAX baseband SoC that incorporates PHY, MAC, embedded CPU, and multiple data interfaces. The system uses a powerful mobile station software and needs a minimum of external components in order to create WiMAX modems for CPE's, PC Cards, USB adapters, and portable handheld devices.

"ODMs (Original Design Manufacturers) face the challenge of reducing overall costs as markets mature," Gwong-Yih Lee, CEO of ApaceWave Technologies, was quoted as saying in the report. "ApaceWave proactively aligned product features and support with these pressing ODM needs. This unique focus, combined with top-performance technology, makes ApaceWave's SoC a true lowest-total-cost solution."

The SoC is a part of ApaceWave's IP portfolio of over 20 patents. The architecture and algorithms of APW-2000 have been developed for low-power, high data rate, and optimal performance under full-mobility channel conditions.

The SoC supports all 802.16 mobile WiMAX Wave 2 features, such as MIMO Matrix A & B, and Beam Forming.

"ApaceWave understands the ODM model and their long-term mass production needs," Kevin Xu, VP of Business Development and Product Marketing for ApaceWave, was quoted as saying in the report. "We have demonstrated our technology to large ODMs, and they have expressed interest in working with us to evaluate our SoC and reference designs when our chip becomes available."

ApaceWave has R&D facilities in both the US and China and integrates its industry-leading WiMAX technology and a strategy of meeting the requirements of the ODM sector, with the help of product features and local expert support, to facilitate manufacturing challenges.

"Despite the buzz surrounding WiMAX, the real opportunity is likely to develop over the next several years," Peter Jarich, Research Director with Current Analysis, was quoted as saying in the report. "If the ecosystem develops as planned and scale ramps, the field of vendors will naturally narrow and ODMs will become a critical leverage point. Any company hoping to succeed in the market will need to plan for this eventuality."

ApaceWave has validated the APW-2000 design with the help of a sophisticated FPGA board tested at Plugfest #3 in France. The company has also successfully demonstrated streaming video, voice, data, and MIMO operation on the SoC.

APW-2000 samples and reference design kits will be available from Q1 2008.

ApaceWave Technologies enables global market adoption of WiMAX devices through technology leadership and close alignment with industry and manufacturing partner needs. Supported by tier one venture capitalists from Silicon Valley and Greater China, the company has a leadership of seasoned executives committed to offer best price-performance WiMAX devices and reference designs. ApaceWave is based in Fremont, Calif., with R&D offices in Beijing China.

For more information, visit www.apacewave.com.

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Calvin Azuri is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

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