Continuous Computing, picoChip and Cavium Networks deliver first complete LTE femtocell design

Femtocells – small, low-cost cellular basestations designed for deployment by end-users – are increasingly being seen as key to delivering improved mobile communications services in a wide range of contexts, and are expected to play a crucial role in upcoming LTE networks. LTE femtocells will allow users to benefit from the best possible experience from day one, while also enabling operators to deploy their new networks more efficiently and cost effectively than previously feasible. By employing small cells, operators can build their LTE networks in line with demand, thereby matching investment with revenue while also reducing capital expenditure.

“It is only with femtocells that LTE can truly meet its potential. They are the key to providing the experience that users will expect at a price that operators can afford. We believe that LTE femtocells ultimately will carry the vast majority of indoor mobile data traffic while also providing vital improvements to outdoor coverage and capacity, in both major cities and remote areas,” said Nigel Toon, CEO and President, picoChip. “While there are numerous vendor demonstrations of a subset of the functions of an LTE femtocell, this reference design represents the world’s first integrated and fully-tested solution.”

“The demand for LTE femtocells is unquestionable. We are already seeing operators asking for small cell access points to start testing in the second half of this year. Femtocells represent the key to avoiding the difficulties surrounding the first 3G deployments where rollouts cost too much, took too long and did not meet user expectations,” said Mike Dagenais, President and CEO, Continuous Computing. “This LTE femtocell reference design is the culmination of a major three-way effort and represents highly sophisticated, state-of-the-art engineering and integration.”

“Conventional mobile network design is reaching its capacity limits at exactly the same time that user demand for data services is really starting to rocket. Femtocells are the only viable means of rendering mobile networks capable of meeting future demands,” said Syed Ali, President and CEO, Cavium Networks. “This complete LTE reference design allows equipment manufacturers to initiate trials quickly in order to iron out the challenges of LTE small cells. Customers can then take the system from trial to deployable product rapidly either by using a customer form factor or by leveraging the reference design’s infrastructure.”

The LTE femtocell reference design consists of a microTCA system including a chassis with a picoChip modem, mezzanine RF card and Layer 1 physical layer (PHY) software, together with Cavium Networks’ OCTEON(R) Plus multi-core MIPS64(R) processor. Continuous Computing provides Trillium(R) LTE Layer 2/3 protocols, the eNodeB reference application and a complete EPC Core Network Emulator (CNE). Continuous Computing’s Trillium LTE eNodeB protocols have been optimized on Cavium’s Simple Executive software environment to provide market-leading performance and reduced latency.

All three companies have extensive femtocell and LTE experience. picoChip provides the PHY solutions underlying the first wave of commercial 3G femtocell deployments and was also one of the first companies to show LTE in action back in 2008. Continuous Computing already has 13 LTE design wins, extending from the Radio Access Network to the EPC, as well as 20 femtocell customer wins. Finally, with a wide range of design wins in the 3G and 4G markets, the Cavium Networks OCTEON processor is becoming the mainstream solution ranging from Layer 2 to Layer 7 processing for base stations and the processor choice for packet core equipment.

The LTE femtocell reference design will be demonstrated at all three companies’ booths at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and is available immediately. For more information, please visit one of the web sites or MWC booths: Continuous Computing (Hall 1, Stand F4), picoChip (Hall 1, Stand D56), Cavium Networks (Hall 2, Stand C5).