BATH, U.K. -- picoChip and ArrayComm today announced that they have forged an alliance, under which ArrayComm's Network MIMO(TM) software will be incorporated into the PHY of picoChip's flexible wireless solution. picoChip will offer this solution as a software option to its customers to add smart antennas and MIMO to their advanced WiMAX basestation and subscriber station designs.

ArrayComm's Network MIMO software implements all the antenna processing aspects of the WiMAX profiles approved by the WiMAX Forum Mobile Task Group (MTG) for IEEE 802.16e. The ArrayComm solution includes support for MIMO, adaptive antenna systems (AAS) and combined MIMO/AAS modes on both subscriber terminals and basestations. These provide operators the optimized user data rates, cell range, and network capacity they need to meet their business objectives for mobile broadband services.

MIMO and AAS, used in combination, increase subscriber data rates, improve cell-edge link budgets, manage interference, and maximize overall network capacity. The result is a significant performance advantage for WiMAX. ArrayComm provides Network MIMO software that integrates with picoChip's WiMAX PHY and picoArray processor.

Commenting on the new agreement, picoChip's CTO and Co-founder Doug Pulley said, "Adaptive antenna technology and MIMO are key distinguishing features of the WiMAX specification; they will be critical in assuring WiMAX success. This functionality, as an option for the picoChip software, will be a major advantage to picoChip's customers, giving them the flexibility to easily incorporate smart antenna technology into their designs. picoChip believes that ArrayComm is the leader in this space and we want our customers to have the best. "

OpicoChip has demonstrated that it is ahead of the game in providing innovative and flexible solutions for wireless broadband access systems. Future applications will need smart antenna technology to deliver the cost and performance advantages that WiMAX promises. This partnership is a significant step toward realizing our shared vision for the future of WiMAX technology," added Martin Cooper, ArrayComm's executive chairman.

ArrayComm Inc.

Picochip