Azimuth Systems Partners with AT4 Wireless to Bring Channel Emulation to Mobile WiMAX(TM) Testing
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October 22, 2007
WiMAX(TM) Lead Lab Employs Azimuth's ACE(TM) 400WB Channel Emulator for Comprehensive WiMAX Performance Testing
Malaga, Spain & Acton, MA - Azimuth Systems, Inc., a leading provider of wireless engineering test equipment, today announced that the company has partnered with AT4 wireless, a global supplier of testing solutions for wired and wireless technologies, to add MIMO channel emulation testing for Mobile WiMAX products to the lab's extensive testing capabilities. WiMAX testing with channel emulation allows thousands of real-world conditions to be tested for RF performance, mobility and interoperability, using statistical modeling to provide broad testing in a lab.
Designed from the ground up as a MIMO test solution, Azimuth's ACE(TM) 400WB WiMAX Channel Emulator is purpose-built for testing the key technology differentiators of Mobile WiMAX. Mobility, high throughput and extended range are dependent on the multipath environment for MIMO spatial streaming and advanced antenna techniques, and Azimuth's bi-directional and reciprocal channel modeling provides this real-world scenario in a lab. This replaces hundreds of hours- or even days- of field testing, where each test provides only a snapshot scenario and lacks repeatability. The result is more thorough evaluation of WiMAX chipsets, clients and infrastructure devices and faster time to market, at a much lower cost.
"We are constantly evaluating new technologies to help make WiMAX testing more effective and more efficient, and we believe that channel emulation will prove to be a critical element in the testing process for both our customers and for WiMAX performance testing efforts," said Fernando E. Hardasmal, Deputy General Director of AT4 wireless. "Partnering with Azimuth Systems was a natural fit because of the company's unparalleled expertise in channel emulation testing."
AT4 wireless is the world's premier facility for WiMAX testing. Based in Malaga, Spain and now also in Virginia, AT4 wireless has led the certification efforts of the WiMAX Forum®, as the organization's first worldwide WiMAX Forum Designated Certification Laboratory, and has provided WiMAX conformance, interoperability and performance testing for vendors and service providers for a number of years. Mobile WiMAX and MIMO-based WiMAX introduces a new level of complexity that will challenge the WiMAX equipment market. Azimuth and AT4 wireless have partnered to address this complex progression in the technology.
The ACE 400WB combines state-of-the-art digital signal processing and complete RF control to deliver sophisticated channel modeling on a scale never before delivered, to enable repeatable and efficient testing of MIMO-based WiMAX devices. It can be used to test and debug algorithms, optimize the performance of WiMAX devices in MIMO and SISO environments, streamline QA processes and run competitive performance benchmark tests. The ACE 400WB also tests interoperability between MIMO and SISO implementations from multiple vendors and can be used to define industry-wide mobility performance test suites for future WiMAX products.
"In addition to presenting huge technological advantages, multi-antenna MIMO solutions such as IEEE 802.16e-2005 based Mobile WiMAX products create great test challenges," said Graham Celine, senior director of marketing at Azimuth Systems. "Azimuth is committed to working with industry-leading organizations like AT4 wireless to deliver the benefits of accurate, repeatable channel emulation testing to help streamline the development of the next generation of WiMAX devices."
About AT4 wireless
AT4 wireless is a global supplier of Testing Solutions for wired and wireless technologies (GSM/GPRS, EDGE, W-CDMA, HSDPA; WiMAX, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, DECT and PSTN). It services portfolio ranges from conformance, regulatory and interoperability testing services to test systems development, world-wide compliance services, training and consulting. AT4 wireless was founded in 1991 and has more than 300 employees, 80 percent of whom are engineers. The company has three divisions: AT4 Labs which is an independent test lab for wireless telecommunications technologies and products. AT4 Systems develops conformance and interoperability test systems for various wireless technologies including WiMAX. AT4 Engineering & Solutions develops software applications and offers professional services to telecom network operators. AT4 wireless announced in June their first North American based WiMAX certification Lab.
For more information, visit www.at4wireless.com
About Azimuth Systems
Azimuth Systems is a leading provider of wireless data communications test solutions. Azimuth's products are used by the world's foremost wireless semiconductor, system vendors and service providers to speed time-to-market and improve wireless product quality. Azimuth's standardized test solutions enable research, development, QA and marketing engineers to test the performance, conformance and certification of wireless devices and networks supporting data, voice and video applications. The company is based in Acton, Massachusetts and is backed by prestigious investors including Kodiak Venture Partners and North Bridge Venture Partners. Azimuth may be contacted at (978) 263-6610 or at www.azimuthsystems.com.
Azimuth Systems, Inc.
