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[November 19, 2009]

Bandspeed Rolls Out AirMaestro Spectrum Analysis Solution for Wi-Fi Networks

Nov 20, 2009 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Bandspeed announced the introduction of its AirMaestro Spectrum Analysis solution, which includes a highly-integrated radio-frequency (RF) signal analyzer IC, associated firmware and user-application monitoring software.

Sold directly to OEMs and ODMs for integration in their system-level products, the company said that this solution enables systems to automatically and intelligently adjust network configurations to avoid interference from both Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi devices and improve network performance. This solution is for integrating into WLAN access points, WLAN sensors, fixed/portable RF sensors, broadband gateways, laptop computers and test-and-measurement equipment. The complete AirMaestro Spectrum Analysis solution provides comprehensive and centralized monitoring of the RF environment for real-time management and investigation into historical interference events.

Wireless communications have historically been vulnerable to radio-frequency (RF) interference from a variety of sources. 802.11 WLANs, for example, operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands, which are also occupied by a range of other devices including cordless phones, microwave ovens, and wireless video cameras. The RF interference from these devices can degrade or, at times, completely disable WLAN communications for networks operating at nearby frequencies.

Bandspeed reported that its AirMaestro Embedded Signal Analyzer is a hardware-accelerated interference classification solution capable of being integrated into networking equipment.

The AirMaestro Embedded Signal Analyzer scans of all IEEE 802.11 channels in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi frequency bands, as well as 4.9 GHz Public Safety channels. The embedded interference classification engine detects and classifies a range of interferers, and creates a log of the interferers detected over time.

Interfering devices currently classified include: - Microwave ovens (conventional) - Microwave ovens (inverter) - Wireless video cameras (digital and analog) - Analog cordless phones (2.4GHz and 5GHz) - FHSS cordless phones (2.4GHz and 5GHz) - DSSS cordless phones (2.4GHz and 5GHz) - Bluetooth devices - Wireless baby monitors - Game controllers - RF jammers New interferers are added regularly through firmware upgrades. The AirMaestro Embedded Signal Analyzer also provides estimates of channel utilization based on both Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi devices.

"Selecting the WLAN channel based on classification of the RF interference in the environment is far superior to alternative approaches that simply detect unclassified energy on the current channel and blindly change to another channel," said Bill Eversole, president and CEO of Bandspeed. "With a simple energy-detect approach, the WLAN access points can change to channels that have worse performance over time. By classifying interference on all WLAN channels and basing the channel selection on both current and historical interference levels and WLAN traffic, the system can automatically and intelligently select the best WLAN channel. This prevents unnecessary channel hopping by the WLAN, adding more stability and performance to the network." The AirMaestro Embedded Signal Analyzer integrated circuit and associated firmware/software is available now.

Bandspeed is a provider of embedded radio-frequency (RF) interference detection, classification, avoidance and management solutions, providing integrated circuits, firmware and software to OEMs to integrate spectrum analysis into their solutions.

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

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