Jul 1, 2007 12:00 AM, By Glenn Bischoff

Fairfax, Va.-based Saraband Wireless announced it has been awarded a U.S. patent for a solution that improves the throughput and reach of non-line-of-site wireless broadband communications, by continuously monitoring channel functions and propagation path conditions, and then automatically making the proper adjustments.

The traditional method of checking channel status employs pilot tones embedded in data packets, which is a reactive approach compared with Saraband's proactive method that continuously sends swept frequency signals, known as “chirps,” that move up and down the frequency band to measure channel conditions. The measurements are then relayed to the transmittal circuit via a control channel. Based on these measurements, adjustments can be made as needed to the transmission data rate, modulation method, forward-error correction coding and frequency band.

Proactively determining channel inadequacies before the data arrives reduces the number of failures and retransmissions, and lets service providers utilizing Wi-Fi and WiMAX networks make more efficient use of their available capacity, said Saraband President Donald Arnstein. “The buzzing noise you hear [when accessing the Internet via a dial-up connection] is the modem figuring out what to do with the packet signal,” he said. With Saraband's solution, such calculations occur before the data is sent, “so the service provider gets a lot more use from its facilities, because they're not wasting so much time.”

In addition, service providers can use Saraband's solution to determine the amount of capacity a customer requires and to analyze whether its network needs to be reengineered as conditions change, Arnstein said.

“In a city, for instance, phase might shift in a certain area due to the construction of high-rise buildings. Our solution might tell you whether you need more antennas, or perhaps smart antennas,” he said.

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