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Radio Router Technology - Flash OFDM(Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing)

While CDMA and UMTS increase the capacity and spectral efficiency viewpoints as compared to 2Gand 2.5G wireless networks, there are still issues with these packet networks when applied to wirelessdata. Scientists are working on improving upon the spectral efficiency of CDMA. Another inherentproblem with wireless data transactions is that information is not always sent in high-speed bursts bi-directionally. Unlike packetised voice, there is a constant protocol and conversational chit chat betweenthe sending and receiving software. There is an inherent latency and propagation delay between the twoend points.

Flarion's F lash-OFDM network technology tries to address the needs of wireless data in an innovativeway. According to the vendor, Flarion system is the first truly IP-based broadband cellular networkdesigned for data, and it outperforms 3G in all critical areas of performance. For example, the system iscapable of sustaining 12 Mbps of throughput per cellin a 3 carrier, 3-sector configuration, peak userdata rates up to 3 Mbps, full cellular mobility, les than 20 milliseconds of latency, and full QoS. Flarionclaims to have successfully developed, tested and carried out technical trials of the system in 2001, andis planning to demonstrate in NY a market trial system.

Radio-router technology uses a radio-transmission framework for packet- based, broadband, IP wirelesscommunications. Radio-router technology is designed to make links in an IP network mobile. Proponentsof Flash-OFDM hope that since IP network technology is already well developed and inexpensive, radio-router systems will be relatively easy, quick, and economical to implement.

A radio-router network can be built atop the existing IP infrastructure, rather than from the ground up likea 3G network, said Rajiv Laroia, founder and chief technology officer of Flarion Technologies, whichdevelops radio-router-network equipment.

The technology uses OFDM, in which a single channel is divided into several subchannels, each at adifferent frequency. This boosts bandwidth by letting a system carry several transmissions at the sametime. Radio-router systems offer a maximum throughput of 1.5 Mbits per second, about the same as a

T1 line. OFDM, unlike traditional FDM, uses signal modulation and demodulation techniques, as well asthe orthogonal placement of adjacent channels, to minimize interference. There is less emphasis onindividual channels' quality.

"Radio router is a data-focused technology, designed from a data perspective. But it does support voice-packet-switched voice, not circuit-switched voice," according to Flarion.

Radio routers, IP routers with radio adjuncts, would handle packet traffic and serve as the equivalent of

cellular base stations. Consumers would connect with Flash-OFDM networks via PC cards in theirnotebooks and via flash-memory cards in handheld devices. .

Caution - An uphill battle with the established cellular networks

Despite the technology's potential, AT&T's Henry says, "Radio routers face an uphill fight against theentrenched cellular businesses." Cellular providers are much bigger and better established companies,he explained, and cellular service appears like a safer investment to many managers. Radio-routertechnology, on the other hand, might seem exotic and thus might not attract big infrastructureinvestments, he said.

Other caution is that Flarion's air-link interface introduces yet another standard and it will face usualbattles and delays in getting components built to match Flarion's reference designs.

For More Information - Go to Flarion's website

Beyond 2.5G and 3G Wireless NetworksFlarion's Flash-OFDM

Page 1of 2Technologies Beyond 3G - Flash OFDM from Flarian

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Page 2of 2Technologies Beyond 3G - Flash OFDM from Flarian

4/30/2004http://www.mobileinfo.com/3G/Beyond3G FlashOFDM.htm