Aperto Networks, a start-up based in Milpitas, California, introduced a new carrier class point-to-point wireless bridge that could be used as an alternative to leased T1/E1 connections for providing Wi-Fi hotspot backhaul. Aperto’s PacketWave 600 Series Wireless Bridge, which complements its existing point-to-multipoint wireless system (see below), provides a dedicated air interface at a 20 Mbps data rate to locations as far as 30 miles (48 km) from the carrier’s wireless base station. The product uses adaptive coding and modulation, automatic packet re-transmissions, adaptive packet size and 20 non-overlapping channels in 125 MHz of spectrum. The new point-to-point system will be available in the 5.8 GHz frequency band (now shipping, with multiple antenna options), as well as the 3.5 and 2.5 GHz frequency bands (scheduled to ship starting in 1Q 2003). Pricing per link starts at $3695 in the 5.8 GHz frequency band.
http://www.apertonet.com
- In December 2002, Aperto Networks closed $22 million in Series C equity financing for its fixed, broadband wireless platforms. The company has raised $57 million to date. Aperto said the new funding would enable it to expand its deployments well beyond the base of 32 service providers in 22 countries accomplished within the past 12 months. The new funding round was led by Canaan Partners, with significant participation from existing investors Alliance Ventures, Innovacom, Tyco Ventures and Satwik Ventures.
- Aperto Networks offers point-to-multipoint PacketWave base stations, subscriber units, and associated radios and antennas in 2.5, 3.5, 5.3 and 5.8 GHz frequency bands. Aperto’s base station leverages advanced TDMA and bi-directional burst mode transmission to operate with adaptive TDD or FDD radios. The link technology dynamically adjusts up to ten PHY and MAC-layer parameters, including antennas with spatial and polarization diversity, modulation, power allocation, retransmission policy and frame size to optimize the wireless connection to each subscriber. Key features of Aperto’ PacketWave technology include efficient spectrum utilization through high frequency reuse; up to 20 Mbps burst rates over a 6 MHz channel; Line-of-sight, obstructed line-of-sight, and non line-of-sight coverage; interference mitigation and management for multi-cell networks; IP-based multiservice delivery with QoS; and dynamic per-subscriber link optimization.
- Aperto Networks is headed by Dr. Reza Ahy, who previously held executive and technical senior management positions with Harris Corporation, Varian Research Center and RadioLAN. The company’s technical team is led by Dr. Subir Varma, who previously was Director of Systems Architecture at Hybrid Networks, where he was responsible for its MMDS system.