Wi-LAN and Fujitsu Microelectronics America t
Press Release Source: Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.
Wi-LAN and Fujitsu Microelectronics America to Co-Develop New System-On-Chip For Broadband Wireless Devices
Joint Program Combines Fujitsu's ASIC Design Expertise with Wi-LAN's Wireless Technology Leadership
Monday September 9, 9:02 am ET
CALGARY, Alberta and SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) will co-develop systems-on-chips (SoCs) for broadband wireless applications with Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX: WIN - News), a global provider of broadband wireless communications products and technologies, the companies announced today.
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Under the terms of the non-exclusive agreement, Wi-LAN will combine its expertise in Wideband Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (W-OFDM) technology with FMA's ASIC design capabilities to integrate embedded processors and mixed signal technology into SoCs. This new development program will create a broadband wireless-access subscriber-station device for a wide range of business and individual users. (See Wi-LAN's related announcement dated August 28, 2002.)
"The full potential of broadband applications and devices will be achieved when high-performance and highly integrated system-on-chip solutions, including embedded processors and mixed signal, can be offered at a low cost," said Keith Horn, FMA's vice president of marketing. "By working with a proven broadband wireless technology leader like Wi-LAN, Fujitsu will help broadband wireless access to finally come of age."
"This development and licensing agreement marks the beginning of our formal working relationship with Fujitsu Microelectronics," said Dr. Hatim Zaghloul, Wi-LAN's chairman, president and CEO. "We will collaborate to develop W-OFDM SoCs for our BWS Series products and for sale to the wireless access market. This agreement is a key component in our ongoing strategy of reducing the cost of our products and licensing our intellectual property."
Wi-LAN and FMA are now working on proprietary W-OFDM SoCs based on Wi- LAN's BWS 3000 Series products, which began shipping on October 31, 2001. The next step is collaboration on SoCs built around the IEEE 802.16a draft standard. FMA will market the SoCs and related products.
Wi-LAN's knowledge of, and experience with, broadband wireless systems will help drive development of optimal, high-performance products. With its expertise in processor integration, IPWare(TM) cores and high-performance mixed signal, FMA will be responsible for putting together all the IP cores needed for these complex SoCs, and for delivering working, cost-effective solutions that reduce time to market for its customers.
These SoCs will provide a much needed boost to the broadband wireless market by supplying the first 802.16a compliant SoC at a price and performance point that will finally make it possible for subscriber-station devices to hit the price-performance "sweet spot," according to FMA's Keith Horn.