Dutch mesh networking specialist Hopling Technologies will develop and support Linux BSPs (board support packages) for Fujitsu's WiMAX SoCs and reference designs, the companies have announced. Hopling's BSPs and commercial support contracts will help network operators and product designers bring WiMAX products and services to market, according to the companies.

Fujitsu first shipped its WiMAX baseband chip in April of last year, along with a series of hardware/software reference designs, including:

• Subscriber stations (diagram)
• Subscriber station or base station for HDX FDD (half duplex frequency division duplexing) or TDD (time division duplexing) using external processor (diagram)
• Full duplex FDD using external processor (diagram)

However, Fujitsu's reference designs initially were based not on Linux, but on Wind River's proprietary VxWorks RTOS.

Now, Fujitsu says Hopling will use its “Linux software expertise” to create Linux BSPs for Fujitsu's WiMAX SoCs (system-on-chip processors) and reference designs. The BSPs will “accelerate deployment of Linux-based WiMAX solutions among equipment manufacturers,” according to the companies.

Availability of Linux BSPs will also make it easier for mobile network operators and carriers to integrate Fujitsu's WiMAX basestation designs with their Linux-based wireless network infrastructure, Fujitsu notes.

Additionally, Hopling will use Fujitsu's WiMAX SoCs in its own forthcoming HopMAX portfolio of base station systems, micro base stations, and high-end subscriber stations based on the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard.

Meanwhile, Fujitsu will refer its Linux-using WiMAX baseband SoC customers to Hopling for support, it says. Hopling will also serve as an ODM (original design manufacturer) for Linux-based devices from third-party brands.

George Wu, director of marketing at Fujitsu Microelectronics America, stated, “[This agreement] supports the expansion of our WiMAX SoCs into our customers' Linux-based hardware via our reference kits.”

Hopling CEO Frank Koopman added, “The collaboration will allow a smoother transition to Linux-based systems for all parties.”

WiMAX, or 802.16e, is a wireless technology that, like WiFi (802.11/a/b/g), uses unregulated radio frequency spectrum. Unlike WiFi, it does not require line of sight, and is not limited to a dozen or so clients per access point, thanks to the use of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to avoid data collisions.

WiMAX has been championed by Intel for use in MANs (metropolitan area networks), and in WANs (wide-area networks) for rural areas. Some analysts have suggested that in conjunction with VoIP (voice-over-IP), WiMAX could prove disruptive to wireless carriers. Other analysts suggest that carriers will adopt WiMAX for fixed-mobile convergence and other next-generation services.

Availability

Availability of Hopling's Linux BSPs was not announced. The company's HopMAX product line is scheduled for commercial availability in 2006.

Hopling and Fujitsu plan to work together in the future to support forthcoming WiMAX standards, such as mobile WiMAX for wireless broadband applications, they say.

 
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