Extricom Unveils Interference-Free WLAN
LAS VEGAS — Extricom unveiled its Interference-Free(TM) WLAN solution at the Networld Interop show. A combination of low-cost, high-bandwidth access points (APs) and a wireless switch, Extricom’s Interference-Free(TM) WLAN implementation offers several advantages over conventional, cell-planning WLAN solutions.
“First of all, it works a lot better,” said Gideon Rottem, Extricom CEO. “You have higher overall performance, capacity and coverage,” he explained. “And, second, it is much easier to deploy, because you need no site surveys, costly cell planning, and maintenance. It is virtually plug-and-play,” he added.
UltraThin APs
Extricom’s UltraThin APs contain no storage or software. They are identical and become fully operational as soon as they are connected to the wireless switch. Unlike conventional, cell-planning WLANs, they do not require precise positioning based on extensive site-survey and computer-generated position algorithms. “You put them wherever you need them,” Rottem stated, “to fill in coverage gaps or to add more capacity. You never have to worry about co-channel interference, edge effects, and performance degradation.”
Each AP contains up to four 802.11a/b/g radios, each establishing a high-data-rate, non-interfering “blanket” of coverage. Each is also powered through its Cat-5 cable from a centralized power supply connected to the wireless switch, using the IEEE 802.3af (Power over Ethernet) standard.
AP and Switch – Unique Combination of Benefits
The UltraThin(TM) APs are designed to work in conjunction with the Extricom Wireless Switch. Together, they provide dynamic, packet-by-packet diversity processing. That’s why it makes no difference how, or where the APs are placed. The combination always chooses the optimal AP based upon real-time conditions as each packet is sent. Users can be in motion and experience no degradation of voice quality or data performance.
Each user associates once with the network – not with each AP. When the switch changes APs, there is no re-association and, therefore, no latency. The net effect is zero-latency roaming, which is a major advantage for isochronous-data transfers, such as Voice-over-WLAN (VoWLAN) services.
Extricom’s patent-pending True Reuse(TM) technology achieves increased capacity on each channel, and additional channels multiply that advantage. Consequently, the Extricom Interference-Free architecture can handle nine times the VoWLAN capacity than conventional, cell-planning WLAN solutions. In addition, the architecture provides dynamic load balancing by moving packets among APs on multiple channels. It always seeks to provide optimum coverage, capacity and performance.
Built in quality-of-service (QoS) mechanisms add to the architecture’s suitability for real-time, mission-critical applications, such as VoWLAN. A recent trial in Yokohama, Japan demonstrated Extricom’s VoWLAN superiority by supporting simultaneous calls of users on three different floors while each user was in motion. Wire-line voice quality was maintained throughout the trial despite user mobility.
Extricom Ltd.