Navini, Fujitsu Get Smart

RICHARDSON, Texas and SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Navini Networks and Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) announced today the first demonstration of multi-vendor interoperability using Smart WiMAX technology -- the conjunction of smart beamforming with Multiple Input/Multiple Output (MIMO) on a Mobile WiMAX (802.16e) network. Smart WiMAX systems will provide an estimated doubling of system capacity, while offering up to twice the coverage of simple WiMAX networks in a fully mobile setting.

The demonstration, the first in the industry between two different vendors, took place in Navini's test facility in Richardson, Texas, using Navini's Ripwave(R) MX8 base station running Mobile WiMAX software and a CPE reference design prototype based on the Fujitsu MB86K21 802.16e-2005 Mobile WiMAX chip. Smart WiMAX beamformed connectivity was achieved using "dedicated pilots," a mandatory feature for all Wave 2 Mobile Station subscriber devices required for certification under published WiMAX Forum profiles.

Navini's Ripwave base stations combine the coverage and capacity benefits of beamforming with the robustness and throughput enhancements of MIMO. Navini's combination of standards-based beamforming with MIMO is called Smart WiMAX. Navini is working with partners such as Fujitsu to extend the capabilities of Smart WiMAX to include beamformed MIMO, which can double received data rates and improve the reliability of a mobile signal.

"Navini, with others, led the inclusion of beamforming and beamforming plus MIMO into the profiles for Mobile WiMAX interoperability testing," explained Sai Subramanian, VP Product Management and Strategic Marketing, Navini Networks. "Showing multi-vendor interoperability underlines our standards-based approach to delivering the highest performance possible of Mobile WiMAX."

Navini Networks Inc.

Fujitsu Microelectronics America Inc.