TI Announces 1 GHz 802.16e Base Station Solution For WiMax Applications
"The quick ratification of the 802.16e mobile WiMAX standard late last year, indicates a strong interest by the technology's supporters to bring products to market at the same time as other advanced wireless standards, like 3G EV-DO and HSDPA," said Gemma Tedesco, In-Stat senior analyst. "Additionally, the WiMAX chipset market is anticipated to reach $950 million by 2009, offering companies like TI a unique opportunity to capitalize on this quickly-growing industry, while developing technologies similar to those that have given them strong market leadership."
TI's system solution supports both fixed and mobile applications across multiple frequency bands. This enables equipment manufacturers to create system configurations that can be used for multiple WiMAX applications including cellular backhaul, rural deployments, portable mobility and last mile connectivity.
At the center of TI's solution for WiMAX is the TMS320TCI6482 DSP, designed for wireless infrastructure applications. TI's 1 GHz DSP processes WiMAX physical layer, IFFT/FFT and MIMO/beamforming algorithms. The programmable DSP-based solution can be software upgraded in the field to support advanced features.
Complementing the TCI6482 DSP is a software library implementing physical layer functions of the WiMAX standard. TI's phased software development approach enables customers to get to market quickly with a working system, while allowing them to use additional software components to add capabilities and services over time.
"Our customers are asking for a flexible and cost-effective means of supporting WiMAX networks," said Sandeep Kumar, TI's wireless infrastructure strategic marketing manager. "TI's solutions make it easier for them to upgrade their systems to support advanced features as WiMAX evolves. Additionally, because our solutions are based on programmable DSPs, our customers can reuse their hardware and software to support other emerging OFDM standards."
TI's WiMAX base station solution includes the TCI6482 DSP and symbol rate and chip rate software libraries. The solution is currently available, with full production expected later this year.
SOURCE: Texas Instruments Incorporated