SkyPilot Networks (http://www.skypilot.com), a leading provider of carrier-class broadband wireless equipment, today announced SyncMesh's8482; Client (http://www.skypilot.com/products/SyncMesh_Client.php), a downloadable firmware image that transforms Wi-Fi devices into WiMAX-like broadband wireless CPE. The first devices available with the SyncMesh Client firmware are Ubiquiti Networks's line of high-performance and low-cost 5 GHz products including the PowerStation, NanoStation, NanoStation loco, and Bullet.
SyncMesh Client enables service providers to leverage robust outdoor Wi-Fi devices and built carrier-class broadband wireless networks, said Brian Jenkins, vice president of marketing at
SkyPilot. Ubiquiti has shown significant cost-leadership with the PowerStation5 (http://www.ubnt.com/products/ps5.php) (US $169),
NanoStation5 (http://www.ubnt.com/products/ns5.php) (US $89), NanoStation5 loco (http://www.ubnt.com/products/loco.php) (US $69), and Bullet5 (http://www.ubnt.com/products/bullet.php) (US $59). With SyncMesh Client, we'sre leveraging these products to provide WiMAX-like networking at
extremely competitive price points.
The SyncMesh Client replaces the firmware on these 802.11a devices with SkyPilot'ss patented software, which converts the media access control (MAC) from an asynchronous, collision
avoidance protocol to a synchronous, scheduled protocol to provide greater spectral efficiency and tighter latency controls for applications like VoIP. Instead of using the carrier sense
multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), SyncMesh uses a WiMAX-like synchronous time division duplex (TDD) protocol to coordinate transmissions throughout an entire
point-to-multipoint network to maximize capacity.
SkyPilot has written a whitepaper entitled Why Synchronous for Wireless that articulates the differences between asynchronous and synchronous protocols in long-range outdoor broadband
wireless networks. It is available for free (http://www.skypilot.com/pdf/wp_WhySynchronousForWireless.pdf) from
SkyPilot.
The SyncMesh synchronous protocol provides functions found within WiMAX solutions as well as advances found in no other broadband wireless solutions, including:
> Dynamic and synchronized antenna pointing to increase link budget and reduce self-interference
> Contention-less data transmission through scheduled transmissions
> Time ranging function to compensate for speed-of-light propagation across long-range links
> Periodic time slot grants to increase efficiency
Once converted with the SyncMesh Client, these Wi-Fi devices function like traditional SkyConnectors and connect to a network of SkyGateways and SkyExtenders base stations to provide
last-mile Internet access services to residential and business subscribers.
SkyPilot'ss new broadband wireless CPE strategy gives me tremendous flexibility. Along with their proven mesh backhaul, SkyPilot now offers a lower cost for coverage expansion than their
competitors, said Danny Gilbert, vice president of operations at Unite Wireless in Weatherford, Texas. We now have a range of low-cost, high-capacity, and long-range broadband wireless
CPE to fit into a wide range of applications and installations. In addition, flashing these devices with the SyncMesh Client is an easy and cost-effective way to integrate all of our
SkyPilot base station equipment and network management systems with robust Ubiquiti devices.
SyncMesh Client software is available through SkyPilot'ss distributors at an MSRP of USD $99. For more information on SyncMesh Client, please contact SkyPilot at sales at skypilot dot
com.
About SkyPilot Networks:
SkyPilot Networks is a leading provider of carrier-class broadband wireless equipment that enables service providers, municipalities, and public safety agencies to rapidly deploy
cost-effective network services, including last-mile Internet access, voice over IP, Wi-Fi hotspots, video surveillance, and other wireless applications. The SkyPilot solution utilizes a
patented multi-hop point-to-multipoint architecture that synchronizes high-gain directional antennas to extend reach, mitigate interference, and maximize spectral efficiency. The result
is a highly scalable, reliable, and deterministic broadband wireless network that simplifies design, increases deployment flexibility, and dramatically reduces equipment and operating
costs. SkyPilot has proven scalability and reliability with over 40,000 units shipped to customers in over 50 countries. SkyPilot is a privately held company based in Santa Clara,
California.
For more information, contact pr at skypilot dot com.