Sequans: Surfing on Wave 2

Sequans Communications today announced that the SQN1130 chip for mobile devices supporting WiMax is ready for customers. This is the third generation of WiMax chips from the company, and the first from them to support the 802.16e Wave 2 mobile WIMAX profile.

Wave 2 for 802.16e features some advanced radio features — including 2×2 MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) technology, handled in this case using a proprietary algorithm that Sequans developed in-house and plans to patent.

The company claims to have reduced power consumption by 20% from previous chips, using 280mW in active mode with a throughput of 30Mbps. It’s only 10mW when idle.

The chip is small enough that it’s designed not just for CPEs but also ExpressCards and PC Cards, as well as USB-based dongles.

Customers for the SQN1130 chip have been announced as well. Siemens’ Home and Office Communications Device division will use it in devices such as residential gateways, under the Gigaset brand. Taiwan’s Alpha Networks will do much the same, and in fact the company already has a PC Card with the chip inside — it’s what they’re using for display at the Sequans booth this week at the CTIA Wireless 2007 show in Orlando, Florida.