Dutch mesh networking specialist Hopling Technologies plans to supply Linux support for Fujitsu's WiMAX controllers and reference designs to device manufacturers this quarter. Hopling says it expects its Linux support to simplify the addition of innovative applications to Fujitsu's standards-based WiMAX platforms.

Hopling announced last September that it would work with Fujitsu Microelectronics America (FMA) and Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) on Linux BSPs (board support packages) for Fujitsu's WiMAX chip and reference designs. The chip and designs originally only supported Wind River's proprietary VxWorks embedded OS.

The new Linux BSPs support Fujitsu's MB87M3550 WiMAX SoC (system-on-chip), described as a “cost-effective, fully integrated MAC and PHY mixed-signal baseband processor” that complies with the IEEE's 802.16-2004 WiMAX standard, and supports licensed and unlicensed frequencies from 2GHz to 11GHz.

Simplified MB86M3550 block function diagram
(Click to enlarge)
The Hopling Linux BSP will be distributed directly by Fujitsu, as part of its MB87M3550 SoC Reference Kit. The kit includes an MB86M3550-based reference board (pictured at right), software, and an operating manual, Fujitsu says.

Manfred Mettendorff, senior marketing manager for FME, stated, “Fujitsu is the first company to address the growing need for embedding WiMAX baseband SoCs into our customers' Linux-based wireless equipment.”

Rudger van Brenk, director of research at Hopling, stated, “Hopling Technologies and Fujitsu have managed to develop a product that is state-of-the-art and future-proof for companies wishing to launch their own WiMAX product-line.”

Availability

Hopling's Linux BSP will be available through Fujitsu as part of its MB87M3550 SoC reference kit, starting this quarter. Also available are several case studies about the chip, designs, and Linux BSP.

---

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.