Sequans, PMC-Sierra team on Mobile WiMAX femtocell solution

Sequans Communications and PMC-SierraInc. have partnered to provide Mobile WiMAXequipment manufacturers with an all-in-one solution for the development of Mobile WiMAX femtocells.

The solution is a single, integrated reference designthat combines Sequans' SQN2130 base station ASIC with PMC-Sierra's PM8800 WiZIRD 2Tx/2Rx RFIC. The femtocellreference design also includes support for network synchronization, a key requirement for applications such as SOHO deployments, which can be performed using either GPS or over the network via IEEE 1588v2.

"PMC-Sierra delivers the only RFIC with the features needed for femtocell applications," said Bernard Aboussouan, VP of marketing and business development for Sequans. "These include support for higher modulation, higher output power, 2Tx/2Rx configuration, and multiple frequency bands. Our collaboration delivers a high-performance solution with an overall hard-to-beat bill of materials that is of paramount importance in the success of global WiMAX deployment."

"Our combined solution provides tremendous value to WiMAX OEMs and ODMs who can now address multiple territories with a single, cost-effective design, and to WiMAX operators who can extend coverage and minimize capital investment," said Tom Sun, VP and general manager for PMC-Sierra's broadband wireless division.

The companies are also collaborating on multi-band CPE and will deliver reference designs featuring Sequans SQN1130 basebandand PMC-Sierra's PM8800 WiZIRD RFIC.