Telex Communications Inc. has introduced a lightweight headset specifically for cellular phones and other mobile applications. The company said its Telex Nomad Headset is a lightweight, ear-worn device with an adjustable boom microphone and high-fidelity speaker. The headset is designed to improve the sound quality of cellular calls because it features a close-talking, noise-attenuating microphone that provides better fidelity and less background noise than the typical microphones built into cellular phones, Telex said. (612) 884-4051.
Motorola Inc.’s Americas Parts Division announced it now carries Hi Energy Lithium/Iron Disulfide “AA” batteries. Manufactured by Eveready Battery Co., the new batteries can be used with Motorola pagers and other high-drain electronic devices, Motorola said. Motorola said the battery is ideal for use in the military or by contractors, farmers, police, fire, refineries-anyone using pagers or other electronics outdoors in extreme conditions for extended periods of time. Other advanced features of the batteries include a 10-year storage life and a longer lasting operating life than standard alkaline batteries, the company said. (800) 543-9191.
The Antenna Co. announced its introduction of Maxim, an accessory program for cellular carriers, distributors and dealers. The product line includes antennas, batteries, saver/chargers and portable hands-free kits and has been designed to meet strict internal quality specifications, the company said. To complement the product line, the company said it developed a consumer-focused merchandising and packaging program that includes point-of-purchase displays, product identifiers and product packaging that educates customers on each accessory and enables them to easily identify the right product for their particular phone. (708) 250-9900.
Superconducting Core Technologies Inc. is introducing its Reach 1900 base station receiver front end for the personal communications services market. Reach 1900 is the Golden, Colo.-based company’s first product, although SCT has been field-testing products with Qualcomm Inc. using Code Division Multiple Access technology over PCS frequencies and with Nokia Corp. using Global System for Mobile communications technology at cellular frequencies. The Reach 1900 is air interface and radio frequency independent, the company said. Because the Reach 1900 increases the range of base station coverage, fewer cell sites need to be deployed, which can provide a cost advantage to PCS operators planning to build their systems quickly and cost effectively, SCT said. The product is expected to be commercially available this summer. (303) 384-0500.
Oki Semiconductor introduced its adjustable gain control, 5-V GaAs Intermediate Frequency amplifier capable of amplifying and attenuating a wide range of signals for Code Division Multiple Access radios, cellular, personal communications services and spread spectrum applications. Designated the KGF2441, Oki said its product is a power-efficient device that offers a wide dynamic of gain/attenuation range of greater than 90 dB. Currently, most AGC amplifiers can only achieve a dynamic gain/attenuation range of less than 45 dB, the company said. The KGF2441 was designed specifically to improve the performance of CDMA radio systems and operates at frequencies in the range of 70 MHz. (800) OKI-6388.
Tektronix Inc. announced new capabilities for its CMD57 and CMD80 digital communications test sets. The CMD57, a self-contained test system for Global System for Mobile communications, DCS 1800 and personal communications services 1900 base stations, now incorporates an in-service test capability that allows network operators to test without disconnecting from the network. Tektronix said the test system lets the tester make calls to the network the same way as an actual mobile station. The CMD57 occupies only one of the GSM network cell’s radio frequency carriers and makes frequency-selective measurements. Tektronix said the CMD80, a complete Code Division Multiple Access test solution for digital cellular and PCS mobile phone equipment, now includes Rate Set 2 PCS data rates, enabling mobile phones to be tested to their full rated parameters. The product is used by manufacturers performing CDMA mobile phone production tests and by network operators doing incoming inspection, vendor qualification and service of field returns, the company said. (503) 627-5757.
Spot Image has introduced LandClass, digital map products derived from Spot satellite imagery specifically designed for telecommunications system planning. LandClass is increasingly being used by personal communications services and cellular network planners who use the product to save money otherwise spent on mislocated or overbuilt infrastructure, the company said. The LandClass map reveals information on population densities and land features that factor into signal attenuation. Spot satellite imagery is used to map roads, airfields, harbors, parks, water, forest, agriculture, dense urban and residential areas, as well as other classes required for specific planning functions, Spot Image said. The company said options exist to customize a classification system to best fit user requirements. (703) 620-2200.
Varta Batteries Inc., the U.S. office of Varta Batterie AG of Germany, has introduced a new line of advanced nickel metal-hydride rechargeable cellular telephone batteries. Varta said the batteries provide up to 70 percent more talk time and a longer battery cycle life than nickel cadmium types. (914) 592-2500.
Comarco Wireless Technologies announced the availability of its Global System for Mobile communications/personal communications services analysis products. The products provide evaluation of multiple operator and multiple protocol systems, simplifying deployment while enhancing system quality and integrity, the company said. Available with up to four calling modules, systems can be configured with any combination of Advanced Mobile Phone Service, Digital AMPS, Extended Total Access Communications and GSM. Emulating customer behavior under actual load conditions, Comarco said its equipment measures network response from the subscriber’s perspective. This methodology analyzes system performance based on criteria directly relevant to perceived customer quality, the company said. (714) 450-4025.
