iMAT Antennas from SkyCross Enable the First USB Device Certified by the WiMAX Forum®

The MiMAX Q-Series Quad-Band USB Dongle from Airspan Supports Global WiMAX Frequencies

SkyCross, a global wireless company providing antenna-centric radio-frequency (RF) solutions, today announced that the first USB device certified by the WiMAX Forum® uses the SkyCross Isolated Mode Antenna Technology (iMAT). The MiMAX Q-series USB dongle is designed by Airspan Networks, Inc., a leading provider of WiMAX-based broadband wireless products. The MiMAX USB is certified for the 2.5 GHz band and operates in nearly every applicable WiMAX and WiFi frequency from 2 GHz to 5 GHz.

Following months of rigorous testing, the MIMAX device passed the strict WiMAX Forum conformance standards and multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) requirements. Implementing MIMO on a device typically requires multiple antennas. However, today’s small mobile devices do not provide the additional space necessary for these antennas to operate without interfering with each other. iMAT from SkyCross solves this problem by enabling a single antenna to behave like multiple antennas, each with superior performance, so sleek industrial design is not compromised. This award-winning technology has been recognized by FierceWireless, Portable Design, and EE Times.

WIMAX Forum certification ensures confidence in the interoperability of WiMAX products for the 305 service providers deploying WiMAX services in 118 countries worldwide. The WiMAX Forum Subscriber and User Forecast Study projects that by 2012 there will be more than 133 million WiMAX users globally and approximately 70 percent of forecasted WiMAX users will utilize mobile and portable WiMAX devices to access broadband Internet services.

“Airspan has developed a strategic product for the global expansion of WiMAX,” said Joe Gifford, Executive Vice President of SkyCross. “Not only does the MiMAX device enable WiMAX on any USB 2.0 compatible device from laptops to desktops, but it also covers each frequency allocated for WiMAX around the world, facilitating roaming agreements for operators and making connectivity seamless for users.”

“Our MiMAX device is the first time anyone has attempted to support 2 GHz to 5 GHz in a single WiMAX device, and the innovative iMAT solution from SkyCross provided us a lot of design freedom,” said Ori Hareli, Vice President of Engineering at Airspan Networks. “As a result, we were able to develop a sleek device with outstanding RF performance across the bands. Certification from the WiMAX Forum reinforces the quality of this solution.”

Certification of this Airspan product marks the beginning of iMAT incorporation into next-generation wireless products. SkyCross announced the patented breakthrough technology in late January.

About SkyCross

SkyCross (www.skycross.com) is a global wireless company providing antenna-centric RF solutions to the mobile phone, home entertainment, and computing industries. SkyCross provides high-performance, frequency-agile, protocol-independent antenna technology bundled with RF system-level expertise and responsive regional support. This convenient approach empowers device manufacturers to develop winning consumer electronics products and deliver them to market faster and easier. Founded in 2000, SkyCross is ISO 9001 certified and supports customers from its full-service facilities in the USA, South Korea, and China.

About Airspan Networks

Airspan (www.airspan.com) is the industry’s leading WiMAX pure player, ranked #1 for IEEE802.16-2004 WiMAX revenue in 2007. The company has now been selected for some of the world’s largest mobile WiMAX deployments. With direct sales offices throughout Asia, EMEA and the Americas, a worldwide network of resellers and agents, and partnership alliances with major OEMs, Airspan boasts more than 100 commercial WiMAX deployments worldwide.

Contacts

Coracle Group LLC
Lisa A. Eppert, 619-934-8099
leppert {at} coraclegroup(.)com
www.coraclegroup.com