Fixed Mobile Convergence

Infineon Technologies, SkyTerra, and TerreStar Networks reportedly have agreed to develop a multi-standard mobile platform based on Infineon’s software-defined-radio technology.

 

According to SkyTerra officials, the technology will enable ubiquitous mobile communications coverage from anywhere in North America using mass-market devices costing about the same as terrestrial cellular-only devices.

 

Company officials said that SDR-enabled satellite-terrestrial handsets will operate with multiple cellular and satellite-based communications technologies including GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA and GMR1-2G/3G.

 

“We are very happy to contribute our innovative SDR technology to this exciting new application of integrated satellite-terrestrial mobile devices in both SkyTerra’s and TerreStar’s networks,” said Ronen Ben-Hamou, Vice President and General Manager of Software Defined Radio mobile platforms in the Wireless Division of Infineon. “Together with our partners we leverage the flexibility and efficiency of our SDR technology into this ‘connected-anywhere’ mobile environment, enabling operators to provide very compelling multi-standard communication devices to even the most demanding end users.”

 

Infineon Technologies AG (News - Alert), of Neubiberg, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, communications, and security.

 

Drew Caplan, Chief Network Officer for SkyTerra, said that with the new agreement, the company is taking another significant step toward making combined satellite-terrestrial communications a reality for consumers, enterprise, government and public safety users.

 

Caplan sid that this SDR chipset agreement will expand the company’s market opportunities as well as the range of technologies and potential devices that will be satellite-terrestrial capable, providing consumers with additional cost-effective purchase options.

 

SkyTerra Communications (News - Alert) delivers mobile wireless voice and data services primarily for public safety, security, fleet management and asset tracking in the U.S. and Canada.

“The Infineon SDR chipset is a tremendous addition to our chipset program and greatly expands the universe of devices that will be satellite enabled. In addition, the programmable nature of SDR technology allows for feature upgrades via software and shortest-ever turn-around times for next–generation products”, said Dennis Matheson, Chief Technology Officer at TerreStar.

 

TerreStar Networks (News - Alert), a majority owned subsidiary of TerreStar Corporation, plans to offer a reliable and secure satellite terrestrial mobile broadband network that will provide voice, data and video services dedicated to helping solve the critical communication and business continuity challenges faced by government, emergency responders, enterprise businesses and rural communities.

 

Matheson said that the company looks forward to using this chipset platform to perform additional handset trials on its evolving 4G network.