August 29, 2012
By Carolyn Mathas
Verizon Wireless pre-certified Altair Semiconductor’s FourGee 3100/6202 LTE chipset to run over Verizon’s 4G LTE network, representing the first time that Verizon certified an LTE chip vs. a device.
The Altair FourGee chipset is the core engine behind an LTE device. It supports both FDD and TDD variants using single software and implements a high performance MIMO receiver. The chip covers any LTE frequency band in the 700-2700 MHz range, and is based on an O²P™ Software Defined Radio (SDR) processor with performance that exceeds traditional DSP cores at a fraction of the power.
Verizon’s qualification process is designed to improve time to market and reduce costs associated with the introduction of M2M and 4G LTE devices. The certification allows companies to build sensors and such devices as tablets, M2M applications, and LTE products with the Altair chips, while avoiding a lengthy testing process. It also opens the door for Altair 4G LTE-based devices to be on the market by the end of the year.
Verizon operates the largest 4G LTE wireless network in more than 330 U.S. markets.