Bluetooth
Silicon Wave
Radio-frequency technology developer Silicon Wave Inc. unveiled its Odyssey line of hardware and software products designed for the Bluetooth short-range wireless standard. Included in the line are the Silicon Wave SiW1501 Radio Modem IC, SiW1601 Link Controller IC and lower layer Bluetooth protocol stack. When used together, the SiW1501, a single-chip radio designed specifically for Bluetooth applications, and the SiW160, which provides the link management functions between the radio modem and a microprocessor, provide the complete 2.4 GHz radio, modem and controller functionality needed to conduct Bluetooth communications. The lower layer Bluetooth protocol stack is designed to work with any standard microprocessor, digital signal processor or host system to complete the Bluetooth processing functions. Also included in the Odyssey line are development and evaluation tools such as the Wireless Development System, the Radio Modem Evaluation System, Reference Designs and the Radio Modem Board.
(858) 453-9100.
Software
H.O. Systems
End-to-End business system provider H.O. Systems launched its SpeedSuite of products, which allow carriers to migrate from existing customer/server infrastructure to Internet and wireless platforms with an inclusive, integrated business system providing an end-to-end solution for wireless carriers. H.O. said the SpeedSuite product targets and supports the entire “subscriber cycle” including attracting subscribers, selling to subscribers, engaging subscribers through billing, retaining subscribers and analyzing subscribers data while creating mind share and brand recognition. SpeedKit is an administrative interface allowing for carrier-specific configuration of the business system. SpeedMarket provides tools to create, rate and price various marketing programs and campaigns. SpeedPoint offers point-of-sale, inventory management and provisioning that is interwoven with customer care and billing. SpeedBill, a multiservice billing solution, supports a variety of billing presentment and payment options including paper, Internet and wireless. SpeedCare is designed to increase customer retention by giving customer service representatives the tools to manage customer relationships. SpeedMine compiles data, including customer information, usage information, purchasing activity and marketing activity. (877) 462-4554.
Alltel
Alltel Corp. introduced a Windows-based software application designed to improve and enhance the assignments of job tasks performed by field service technicians. Through handheld terminals, Technician Access Provider displays job assignments and allows service technicians to select tasks and enter job completion information. The terminal receives and transmits job information by connection to a work force management system, which automatically dispatches jobs to technicians. Alltel noted that TAP was developed in Windows CE, 95, 98 and NT, and can run on multiple hardware platforms including most personal digital assistants and laptop computers. (800) 533-3161.
MCM Technology
MCM Technology Inc. released its Real Time Wireless Enterprise software, a fully integrated, modular and scalable solution offering billing, accounting and management functions for mobile phone, paging and two-way carriers and resellers. MCM said its software allows clients to custom build their own systems by choosing from a variety of modules including billing management, accounts receivable management, accounts payable management and point of sale management. MCM also offers MCFusion, providing clients with the ability to access their systems from a remote terminal via the Internet, and MCMQ, a message queuing solution based on IBM’s MQ series. (205) 655-8949.
Punch Networks
Punch Networks Corp. released a platform extension of its WebGroups Internet-based file collaboration service called WebGroups for Wireless, allowing users to access their accounts from wireless phones. In particular, the wireless version of WebGroups can send update notifications to users when new files are published or existing ones updated and then provide a link to be used for more information. (206) 343-7661.
FieldCentrix
Wireless Internet-based software supplier FieldCentrix Inc. launched version 2.5 of its Enterprise software, offering enhanced contract management, productivity and customer service additions. The software’s contract profitability reporting allows analysis of projected vs. actual time spent on a maintenance call and can be used to adjust prices to optimize a contract’s profitability. Additionally, FX Interchange has been enhanced with version 2.5, reducing the time required to integrate FieldCentrix software to third-party software. (888) 552-0101.
PacketVideo
PacketVideo Corp. released its PVPlatform 1.0 wireless streaming video delivery system for handheld devices, providing encoding, transmission and decoding services supporting digital wireless telephony standards as well as next-generation wireless networks being developed. In support of the launch, PacketVideo is providing free promotional downloads for a limited time of its multimedia decoder, PVPlayer, from the company’s Web site. The site provides detailed instructions on how users can download the software onto their computers for transferring to their wireless handheld devices. PacketVideo said PVPlayer is currently operating on Compaq’s iPAQ, Casio’s Cassiopeia E115 and Hewlett-Packard’s Jordana 545 personal digital assistants and is designed to support multiple operating systems, including Microsoft’s Pocket PC Windows CE 3.0. The PVPlatform includes PVAuthor, an encoding product that prepares media for transmission over wireless networks; PVServer, which stores and distributes media to subscribers over wireless networks; and PVPlayer, the end piece of the suite that decodes and plays media for viewing on current and next-generation mobile information devices. (858) 731-5300.
Sevis Systems
Communications software company Sevis Systems Inc. introduced its Intelligent Communications Platform 1000, integrating Performance Technologies Inc.’s and Motorola Inc.’s embedded computing platforms with Sevis’ software. Under the supplier agreements, Sevis will combine its software with PTI’s CPC380 card T1/E1 adapter and the Motorola CPX8216 chassis to produce the ICP 1000 platform. Multiple Sevis applications leveraging Internet paradigms such as caching, firewalling and routing into the signaling environment will reside on the platform. Sevis said the ICP 1000 network is transparent and switch independent, allowing it do be deployed without the need to re-engineer the Signaling System 7 network. (877) 51-SEVIS.
Power supply
Power Conversion Products
Power Conversion Products L.L.C. released its G Series Global Rectifier Telecom DC power product. PCP said the G Series uses a digital interface between the controller and rectifier allowing customers to customize its alarm and monitoring requirements. It can be furnished with a front panel consisting of two light emitting diodes or digital metering and selector buttons. The G Series also features “hot swap” front-loading connection to the mounting shelf for plug-and-play capability. The backplane panel connections within the mounting shelf link the rectifiers via a local area control network to PCP’s Simple Controller User Interface allowing the user to control and monitor the rectifier either directly or by remote control. The rectifiers have greater than 90 percent efficiency and total harmonic distortion of less than 5 percent, with the High Current G Series rectifiers available in 6,000 amp and 10,000 amp ratings. (815) 459-9100.
Semiconductors
Intel
Intel Corp. introduced a new chip microarchitecture designed to benefit a variety of wireless Internet and networking infrastructure applications. Intel said the XScale microarchitecture has the flexibility to handle requirements of both ultra-low power and high perfor
mance in devices ranging offering low power operation ranging from one ten-thousandth of a watt to 1.6 watts, and performance at clock speeds approaching 1 GHz. To support development of applications for the XScale microarchitecture, Intel is also delivering Integrated Performance Primitives enabling software vendors, development tools vendors and original equipment manufacturers to develop new applications that can be ported to run on any Intel processor. (800) 628-8686.
Connect One
Embedded Internet chip, hardware and connectivity supplier Connect One Ltd. introduced its iChip Internet Controller, a peripheral chip designed to work in tandem with a device’s host processor to mediate the connection between the host central processing unit and the Internet via wireless GSM modems. Connect One said the chip eliminates the need for a major hardware redesign or a new operating system because the chip functions with any host processor and any operating system. The chip is targeted for a range of wireless implementations, including telemedicine, environmental monitoring, e-commerce, industrial controls and remote data collection over the Internet. (408) 986-9602.
Network management and planning
Phoenix DataComm
Phoenix DataComm Inc. rolled out its Intelligent Business System product and associated services, the first of several PDI products offering wireless remote monitoring and control solutions. The system uses a DataComm 1000 communications device that monitors, tracks and receives information such as temperature, humidity and operational status from sensors placed on stationary assets. The system collects and transmits the data through existing public communication networks to PDI’s network operations center where the information is immediately accessible by customers using a standard Internet browser. Customers are notified of events or alarms by pager, phone, fax or e-mail message and may control the asset by sending commands over the Internet. PDI said the system also generates custom reports presenting statistics related to the assets or processes being monitored. Sample business intelligence can then be generated from the collected data to include operating efficiency, number, frequency and type of unusual occurrences and time required to address and resolve critical events. (610) 676-9000.
Orillion
With the release of OVantage, a network inventory management system, Orillion Corp. claims to offer the industry’s first comprehensive solution to track all of a telecommunications network’s infrastructure of physical and logical components facilities, equipment, circuits, networks and services, and the interrelationship between them. Orillion said OVantage is designed to be integrated with other operations support systems on a carrier’s network architecture, and to simplify the related development of other integrated support functions, such as fault management, configuration management, network provisioning, customer care, billing, performance management and database auditing. (713) 880-2960.
Wireless Applications
Wireless Applications Corp. unveiled PowerSearch, a Web-based wireless structure search product offering terrain profiling and radio-frequency propagation analysis through the Internet. Designed specifically for the wireless industry, PowerSearch uses a proprietary interactive mapping interface design providing a visual search and analysis tool. Current data includes all Federal Communications Commission registered towers; all towers and structures submitted to the FCC; FAA approved structures; FCC approved microwave paths; and tower company/carrier collocate towers. Search queries can be conducted by location, name, number, user-defined ring, user-created polygon, zip codes, states and tower heights. The company said PowerSearch also offers online point-to-point terrain profiling to determine if a microwave path can be achieved between two sites. For more advanced users, a full design profile can be performed by entering frequency, tower heights, ground elevations, K factors and by selecting an antenna from manufacturers and types available within the database. Wireless Application plans to add a new microwave search and analysis feature to its PowerSearch tool later this year, allowing users to perform full microwave coordination and analysis for a microwave path. Customers who sign up for the basic PowerSearch Antenna Registration package before Nov. 1 will receive free service through Feb. 28, 2001. (425) 643-5000.
Test Equipment
Mercury Interactive
Mercury Interactive Corp. introduced a set of wireless performance management solutions designed to allow wireless device manufacturers, infrastructure companies, application developers and wireless Web developers to test their services before and after deployment. The LoadRunner testing software and ActiveTest hosted testing service support both WAP and i-mode technology. In September, Mercury will add this support to its Topaz performance monitoring software and ActiveWatch monitoring service, the company said. (800) 837-8911.
Handset accessories
Wavebusterusa.com
Wavebusterusa.com has begun selling the Wave Buster, which the company claims absorbs up to 70 percent of Electromagnetic Frequency waves from wireless phones. The adhesive-attached device uses an ultrafine ceramic composition designed to absorb and dissipate EMF waves, while having no adverse effect on reception or battery life. Wavebusterusa.com said Wave Buster is available from its Web site for $20, along with independent tests showing the effectiveness of the product. (305) 271-3444.
Accutech International
Accutech International Corp. released its Vocal-Vibe portable hands-free kit, designed to be worn around the back of a user’s neck. The kit’s sensors detect the vibrations of the vocal cords and convert them to voice without a microphone. Accutech said all background noise from any environment is filtered out. Accutech also introduced a wireless universal FM hands-free universal kit that works through the FM radio in a car, enabling the user to listen to calls and adjust the volume through the radio. After plugging the kit into the car’s cigarette lighter, the user tunes the FM radio to 88.5 and can hear the voice through the car speakers when making or receiving calls. The kit also allows the phone to act as a speaker phone. (800) 456-4224.
Antennas
Xertex Technologies
Xertex Technologies Inc. unveiled its omnidirectional Sphere Diversity 1900 antenna, providing 3 dBi gain and a maximum voltage standing wave ratio of 2.0 across the personal communications services band. Xertex said it also offers the Diversity antennas in bi-directional Terrace and directional Whisper models, enabling improved signal reception in areas where scattering and reflection can cause multipath problems. (303) 635-2000.
Mobile devices
Broadbeam
Broadbeam Corp. said it will deliver wireless development tools for the Palm VII wireless organizer, according to an agreement formed with Palm Inc. The solution is designed to extend enterprise applications to Palm VII devices using Broadbeam’s middleware platform. (609) 734-0300.
