Proxim today announced several new broadband wireless products, one group from their Tsunami MP.11 line, based on modified 802.11a architecture, and one group from their QuickBridge line for high capacity bridging and backhaul. Both use the unlicensed 5 GHz band band.
The Tsunami MP.11 Model 5054-R is a point-to-multipoint system, that allows customers to implement WiMAX applications such as public safety, security and surveillance, last mile access and metropolitan area networking now, while providing an upgrade path to WiMAX Forum Certified status later.
The new MP.11 Model 5054-R supports three 5GHz bands — 5.25, 5.47 and 5.725 — with a total of 20 non-overlapping channels. The system’s performance scales from 6 to 36 Mbps, all selectable via intuitive user interfaces. The point-to-multipoint Tsunami MP.11 system features a ruggedized enclosure for outdoor deployment and features a larger subscriber coverage areas and lower recurring lease costs. The MP.11 Base Station Unit with Type-N Connector is priced at $1,999 U.S. list. The Subscriber Unit with Integrated 23-dBi antenna is priced at $1,199 U.S. list, while the Subscriber Unit with Type-N Connector is priced at $999 U.S. list.
“For most customers, the most promising aspect of WiMAX is the broad set of applications that the technology can enable,” said Lynn Lucas, vice president of product marketing for Proxim. “With our Tsunami BWA Systems and, in particular, our unique, feature-rich BWA Software Platform, we can enable these applications now, while providing a common software foundation that can evolve with the WiMAX standards as they are finalized.”
New Point-to-Point Wireless Ethernet Bridges were also announced by Proxim. The QuickBridge II 60 Link ($6,499) and the QuickBridge II 40 + 2xT1/E1 Link ($7,999) give customers a “hop in a box” solution combining two radios, integrated antennas, cables, mounting hardware and power supply, as well as complete installation software and audible configuration tools for quick and easy installation and set-up. The Tsunami.GX 32 + 2xT1/E1 and Tsunami.GX 90 + 2xT1 5.3 GHz ($7,399 and $11,399 per terminal, respectively), deliver the industry’s highest license-exempt output power (+23.5 dBm for 5.8 GHz; +13dBm for 5.3 GHz) and embedded software tools.
The Tsunami.GX 90 + 2xT1 offers DS-3 (45 Mbps) performance for distances over 8 miles and provides two integrated T1 interfaces operating in the less crowded 5.3 GHz U-NII band. The Tsunami.GX 32 + 2xT1/E1 delivers 16 Mbps full-duplex capacity, at ranges over 40 miles for voice and data services, and features two integrated T1 or E1 interfaces for channelized voice traffic.
The Tsunami platform itself won t be WiMAX certified. Proxim plans to offer both proprietary and WiMAX lines separately — but the software will be the same for either system, allowing a provider to run both WiMAX and legacy networks under the same software platform, but with separate sets of radio equipment.
The Tsunami BWA Software Platform enables WiMAX applications today and provides a clear migration to WiMAX Forum Certified status for the future. The software platform is said to support WiMAX applications such as public safety, security and surveillance, last mile access and metro networking applications now. These capabilities include:
- Advanced Bandwidth Provisioning
- Mobile Roaming: Subscriber Units can be placed on moving vehicles, where they can roam between multiple Base Stations. The Tsunami BWA Software Platform’s mobile roaming enables fast hand-off at speeds of up to 200 km (125 miles) per hour, with 36 Mbps data rate and the ability to set a guaranteed data rate.
- Adaptive Wireless Networking: Using OFDM technology, which enhances non line of sight performance, and Proxim’s own Wireless Outdoor Routing Protocol (WORP), customers can deploy Tsunami BWA Systems in dense metropolitan areas. WORP can adjust the system, based on the changing network load, to prevent wasteful re-transmissions for optimum performance.
- Advanced Security with Privacy Protection: The Tsunami BWA Software Platform incorporates AES encryption, intracell blocking to prevent communication between Subscriber Units, and BSU and SU authentication to eliminate rogue SUs and man-in-the-middle attacks.
The Tsunami BWA Systems, including the new Tsunami MP.11 Model 5054-R and the Tsunami BWA Software Platform, are already being used by Proxim customers to implement a number of WiMAX applications.
Proxim is already working at implementing some 802.16e features into its 802.16d equipment (not yet available). The proprietary software would be within standards-based hardware, but would allow its current customers using mobile roaming based on Proxim’s Wireless Outdoor Routing Protocol to embrace the first round of WiMAX technology, according to Jeff Orr, senior product manager for Proxim.
Washington State Ferries and Mobilisa, a mobile and wireless integrator uses Proxim’s Tsunami MP.11 as the wireless backbone for the system, providing seamless connectivity as the ferries roam over the Puget Sound waters
The City of Grand Haven, Michigan utilizes Proxim’s Tsunami BWA System, as well as its and ORiNOCO AP-4000 access points to deliver fixed/mobile high-speed Internet access as well as more advanced services including point-to-point dedicated VPN connections, wireless video surveillance and high-speed access for cars up to 55mph and boats up to 15 miles off-shore.
Ottawa Wireless of Grand Haven, Michigan, just finished implementing their citywide wireless network in its hometown. Now it’s creating a wireless cloud for Rio Rancho, NM. They’ll install between 100 and 125 hot spots on city light poles beginning this month, with the system completed by mid-March. When it’s finished, it will cover the entire 103-square-mile territory of Rio Rancho and will support VOIP (voice over IP) and QOS (quality of service) in addition to standard 802.11 wireless.
No WiMax hardware was announced today by Proxim. The big WiMax World show starts tomorrow in Boston, however, so more announcements could be forthcoming.
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