LOWELL, Mass., Nov. 21, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- BitWave Semiconductor, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company and innovator of software defined transceiver technology for the wireless industry, today announced the development of the Softransceiver RFIC. BitWave is implementing its patent pending, software defined transceiver technology in a single CMOS RFIC chip, designed to enable users of cell phones, laptops and other mobile devices to communicate across diverse networks. Mobile devices using the Softransceiver can easily operate on multiple frequencies and communication protocols, giving consumers and businesses a broader choice of networks and services. The Softransceiver will allow network operators to offer services on demand and allow device manufacturers to build a single, low cost radio that can be used in any network, anywhere. The Softransceiver chip will be available in the summer of 2006 for customer sampling and testing.
Cell phones based on software defined radio technology will be flexible and network agnostic. The Softransceiver offers never-before achieved frequency range and bandwidth in a single transceiver, through the use of dynamic component reconfiguration; digitally controlled components facilitating tunable performance in a single transceiver component chain. This makes it possible to replace the multiple application specific transceivers found in most cell phones today with one programmable transceiver. The reconfigurable transceiver technology and associated Intellectual Property (IP) developed by BitWave dramatically reduces the size and power of the transceiver chip. It was developed in collaboration with professors from notable universities including MIT, the University of Florida and WPI.
"Handset designers have struggled to keep up with the many different and evolving wireless network standards," said Douglas Shute, BitWave CEO. "Now, by utilizing the Softransceiver, we are making it much easier for them to build a single cell phone that can be used on any network and we are doing it using a single programmable transceiver in the handset. Some people call it the Holy Grail; we call it a quantum leap for the wireless industry and a great day for consumers who will soon be able to enjoy exceptional choice."
Network operators have been looking for a way to increase the number of services available to their customers. Phones equipped with a Softransceiver can have new services downloaded over-the air (OTA); imagine a cellular operator adding WiFi services to a customer's phone after the original sale of the mobile device. Handset manufacturers will be able to design a single radio platform for all their cell phones that works in any wireless network, anywhere, without the added expense of multiple transceivers or multiple designs. They can program the Softransceiver at the point of manufacture, or sale, eliminating the need to create specific radios for specific carriers.
"Our development and tests of the underlying digital CMOS process and technology have been validated with Cadence Design Systems," said Geoff Dawe, BitWave CTO. "Moreover, we have proven in the lab that the individual programmable components, which we are now assembling into a complete transceiver, perform as well or better than our expectations. These individual components have already demonstrated performance superior to other commercially available fixed application devices. Software enabled chips in the handset will be the cornerstone for carriers and handset manufacturers seeking to deliver a wider and more profitable selection of services to today's consumers who want more."
BitWave has designed a chip that effectively can move the operating characteristics of a transceiver in real time by software commands. The Softransceiver can shift the center frequency, modify the bandwidth and change linearity of a transceiver channel in real time under software control. Thus one programmable transceiver can replace the many fixed transceivers now found in a typical cell phone.
BitWave has further recognized that if one moves the operating point in real time, one can dynamically re-optimize the transceiver for its environment. Thus the transceiver can be optimized in real time for performance or battery life as well as other operating parameters. Controlling the transceiver's reconfiguration with software offers carriers, OEMs, distributors and cell phone designers more choices with one chip.
About BitWave Semiconductor, Inc.
BitWave Semiconductor, Inc., is a fabless semiconductor company and developer of the Softransceiver chip for the wireless industry. BitWave is implementing its patent pending software defined receiver technology in a single CMOS RFIC chip designed to enable users of standard cell phones, laptops and other mobile devices to communicate across diverse networks. Mobile devices using the Softransceiver can operate on multiple frequencies and communication protocols, giving consumers and businesses a broader choice of networks and services. The Softransceiver will allow network operators to offer services on demand and allow device manufacturers to build a single, low cost radio that can be used in any network, anywhere. All of these benefits are achieved while decreasing the transceiver price, increasing phone battery life and increasing radio performance.
BitWave's founders have more than 50 years collective experience in successfully commercializing software defined radio technology for the cell phone industry. BitWave's IP and technology has been tested and validated in silicon. Since its inception in 2003, BitWave has received $13 million in funding from notable investors that include Techno Venture Management, E-Century Capital and Apex Venture Partners. BitWave is currently collaborating with multiple researchers from universities including MIT and the University of Florida and the company has a large number of patents pending. For more information, go to www.bitwavesemiconductor.com.