xMAX passes FCC compliance test
An FCC-compliant laboratory has determined that xG Technology’s long-range xMAX system demonstrated in November meets the FCC’s Part 15 requirements, the Florida-based start-up announced yesterday.
The laboratory tested the xMAX system that broadcast a 3.67 Mb/s signal more than 18 miles using 35 milliwatts of power. Lab tests demonstrated that the xMAX signal meets Part 15.249 conducted-power and conducted-bandwidth requirements for operation within the ISM 900 MHz unlicensed band, according to an xG Technology press release.
“While these test results formally confirm what we already knew, it … is a very important step in our path to market,” xG Technology Chief Operating Officer Roger Branton said in a prepared statement. “Our equipment can transmit high data rates over long range at low power—a perfect solution for broadband deployment.”
xG Technology CEO Rick Mooers said the compliance tests are not required for xMAX product to be put on the market, but the company decided to have its technology tested to eliminate concerns from outsiders.
“It’s more so we can show potential partners, customers and investors that we’re compliant, so they don’t have to worry whether we’re compliant,” Mooers said.
Mooers said xMAX products will be ready for market by the end of June. In addition, Mooers announced that xG Technology has selected Credit Suisse as its strategic advisor.
Separately, in an internal short-range test, an xMAX unit transmitted full-motion video 100 feet using just 300 nanowatts—3 million times less power than a typical 802.11 WLAN network, according to xMAX principal inventor Joe Bobier.
“To put that in perspective, you can run something that only uses 300 nanowatts for 639 years on a watch battery,” Mooers said.