By separating the femtocell software layer from the underlying hardware, the femtocell developer Ubiquisys claims it has made possible the first ‘software femto'.
The company believes this move--labelled Femto-Engine software--will make the femtocell development process much simpler, but, more importantly, also reduce the cost and help drive mass-market commercial adoption.
According to Ubiquisys, the Femto-Engine software has already been tested with mobile devices and deployed in networks such as SoftBank, Japan, and SFR in France. To support this concept, the company has also announced its ‘Engine-Ready' hardware programme which it hopes will boost the development of lower cost devices without having to invest in costly 3G network expertise.
"OEMs can follow the DSL and WiFi model to cost-optimise the production of femtocell hardware and quickly integrate the technology into more and more products," said Ubiquisys CEO, Chris Gilbert.
The Femto-Engine is said to provide a software femtocell with self organising networks (SON) capabilities with continuous spectrum monitoring, self-adapting radio resource management and integral optimised timing synchronisation. The platform also supports GAN, SIP, Iuh, and IMS interfaces into the operator's core network.
Ubiquisys said that that the first product developed with the new system is the G3-mini, manufactured by SerComm.
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Electronics Weekly
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