BATH, U.K. and VIENNA -- picoChip announced todaythe next version of its industry-standard WiMAX basestation referencedesign, with a software upgrade to support Mobile WiMAX Wave 2 and MIMO.The new PC8532 WiMAX platform has its first public display at WiMAX WorldEurope this week (Booth Number 204). It is the only basestation referencedesign to support WiMAX Wave 2 and IO-MIMO, and scales from access point(femtocell) to sophisticated multi-sector carrier macrocells. The PC8532 isused for WiMAX certification and has already demonstrated the widest rangeof interoperability with third-party terminals.

"The ability to upgrade our WiMAX basestations by software is fundamental toour strategic market advantage", said Paul Senior, VP Marketing of AirspanNetworks and WiMAX Forum Board member. "picoChip's programmable PHY hasbeen demonstrated to support IOT between systems running WiMAX ForumCertifiedTM 16d, 16e SISO, and 16e Wave 2 MIMO, all from a common hardwareplatform. This capability allows our customers to deploy WiMAX servicestoday, confident in their ability to migrate to the latest features andperformance enhancements as WiMAX evolves."

The PC8532 supports Wave 2 and IO-MIMO in both uplink and downlink. Wave 2is the latest version of the WiMAX standard, adding increased support formobility, while MIMO (Multi Input Multi Output) increases data-rate andreliability by simultaneously sending and receiving data by multipleantennas. The 2x2 MIMO system used in WiMAX significantly reduces CAPEX andOPEX for carriers, by increasing coverage and data-rate compared to otherwireless technologies or to non-MIMO WiMAX. As a result, Wave 2 deliversmaximum download and upload transmission speeds of 40Mbps and 12Mbpsrespectively.

"It is a testimony to the quality and maturity of our reference designs thatso many customers and partners are already using them, including AT4 as theŒgolden modem¹. The addition of Wave 2 and MIMO as seamless upgrades willhelp our partners launch products faster and we are proud to be leading theway," said Guillaume d¹Eyssautier, CEO and President at picoChip."Certification and interoperability are absolutely critical to the successof communications technology; picoChip is highly committed to this processand delighted with the success we have demonstrated."

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