picoChip and Wintegra recently announced joint development of reference designs for a new generation of WiMAX base stations. These designs, based on standard components already on the market, provide a framework from which equipment manufacturers can implement a wide range of 802.16e compliant base station products. This dramatically reduces the time and cost for OEMs to develop systems, while still enabling complete flexibility and programmability.

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The solutions combine picoChip's picoArray family of massively parallel digital signal processors and industry-leading software for the WiMAX PHY with Wintegra's WinMax processor and software for a complete MAC solution. Coupled with Wintegra's existing WinPath family of access packet processors and software for transport and backhaul functionality, the joint reference designs offer unmatched flexibility for both radio interface access cards and network interface transport cards, with scalability to cover pico, micro and macro base station architectures.

A unique aspect of the joint design is that it is software defined: Both companies offer fully tested software and vendor-independent APIs that permit rapid integration of MAC, PHY and RF components, as well as additional system software. The picoChip / Wintegra design offers the same benefits of complete integration and interoperability testing, while retaining a programmable, scalable, open approach enabling OEMs to customize and differentiate their offerings.

The design initially will target the 802.16e standard, and will provide a flexible, scalable, software-based upgrade path as new requirements appear in this emerging market. Operators also will benefit from the scalability and flexibility of the Wintegra and picoChip architecture as it will allow them to undertake field software upgrades, avoiding the need for expensive hardware improvements or replacement programs.

The initial release of the joint reference design is targeted for completion in late 2005, with prototypes using the software-compatible WinPath-1 silicon and the PC102 being made available to customers in 1Q06. General sampling of the WinMax device is scheduled for spring 2006.