VIERA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SkyCross, a global antenna designer and manufacturer, delivers a WiMAX solution enabling client devices to perform at a level that improves the capacity, data rates, and reliability of the entire WiMAX network. Many WiMAX network operators, who have invested billions to deliver the world’s first 4G infrastructure, are finding that iMAT® antennas from SkyCross are an essential ingredient to not only offer optimal performance but also to reduce build-out costs.

With a total of 475 WiMAX networks deployed in 140 countries in April 2009 according to the WiMAX Forum® and more than 50 million users expected in 2014 as predicted by Juniper Research¹, WiMAX has high growth potential, but its adoption hinges on meeting and exceeding WiMAX users’ expectations for a 4G network. First, they want fast data rates to download multimedia material. Second, users expect seamless connectivity and have little patience for poor coverage or lost connections. This fast seamless connection must be available on any mobile device, whether it’s a MID, USB dongle, smartphone, netbook, notebook, or other gadget.

The promise of higher data rates, increased network capacity, and better reliability for end users is made possible in part by the MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) component of the WIMAX specification. Mobile devices that support MIMO typically have multiple resonators, but space constraints and interference issues make this a difficult implementation challenge that can result in cumbersome, expensive solutions. Given that the antenna is the only structure in the mobile device that communicates directly with the wireless network, the MIMO challenge must be addressed skillfully and artfully to ensure that end user WiMAX experience is satisfying.

SkyCross iMAT antennas address the MIMO challenge by enabling a single antenna element to behave like multiple optimized antennas, which streamlines the integration process, enables sleeker designs, and lowers cost, when compared to non-iMAT antennas. The superior performance that iMAT delivers to small devices is proven by several independent tests. Intel conducted active field tests on the Sprint network in Hillsborough, Oregon, and found that devices with SkyCross iMAT antennas offer up to 2.5 times faster data rates, particularly in fringe areas, when compared to a conventional two-antenna approach. Beceem tested the maximum MIMO throughput of WIMAX modems using a variety of different antennas such as PCB and ceramic chip antennas. The tests concluded that the SkyCross iMAT antenna yielded the highest throughput on average.

“Requiring network devices to have an iMAT antenna from SkyCross is the simplest way for operators to boost the system performance without having to build more towers or implement other expensive techniques,” said Joe Gifford, Vice President at SkyCross. “A greater number of highly efficient network devices improves the overall network capacity, and SkyCross makes this possible. Many global WiMAX operators are catching on and insisting that their suppliers use iMAT antennas.”

iMAT initially appeared in the first USB dongle certified by the WiMAX Forum, and network operators have since realized its benefits in major WiMAX launches around the world. SkyCross has delivered antennas for the first client device offered on the Sprint XoHM network in Baltimore and the first Tecom USB dongle for the VMAX network in Taiwan. SkyCross iMAT antennas power the Samsung SWC-U200 USB dongle, which www.wimaxian.com² claims is “the best device to access Yota WiMAX in Russia.” SkyCross is also delivering iMAT antennas for several devices on the UQ Communications network in Japan and the Clearwire network in the United States.

About SkyCross

SkyCross (www.skycross.com) is a global designer and manufacturer of antenna solutions for the mobile phone, home entertainment, and computing industries. SkyCross provides unique high-performance antenna technology bundled with RF system-level expertise and responsive regional support from its full-service facilities in the USA, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan. This convenient approach empowers device manufacturers to develop winning consumer electronics products and deliver them to market faster and easier.

¹ Heng, Ek. “Growing momentum in adoption of WiMAX.” Telecommunications Online August 3, 2009. Accessed August 4, 2009 <http://www.telecomengine.com/newsglobe/article.asp?HH_ID=AR_5534>.

² “Samsung SWC-U200 is Available as Yota’s WIMAX USB Modem.” WiMAXian December 27, 2008. Accessed August 4, 2009 <http://www.wimaxian.com/2008/12/27/samsung-swc-u200-is-available-as-yotas-wimax-usb-modem/>.