FCC Approves First Software-Defined Radio (SDR)

FCC Approves First Software-Defined Radio (SDR)

Christian Harris

23 November 04


The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced its approval of the first software-defined radio (SDR) device allowed in the United States. The new equipment will allow users to share limited airspace, increase flexibility, and reduce interference concerns. In a move that may prove to be a radio technology revolution, the industry is now beset with pioneering work to find more creative and efficient use of airwaves in order to offer benefits to consumers.

Software-defined radio, sometimes shortened to software radio (SR), refers to wireless communication in which the transmitter modulation is generated or defined by a computer, and the receiver uses a computer to recover the signal intelligence. To select the desired modulation type, the proper programs must be run by microcomputers that control the transmitter and receiver.

However, the most significant asset of SDR is versatility. For instance, wireless systems employ protocols that vary from one service to another - even in the same type of service - whereas a single SDR set with an all-inclusive software repertoire can be used in any mode, anywhere in the world. Software defined radios can change the frequency range, modulation type or output power of a radio device without making changes to hardware components. This programmable capacity permits radios to be highly adaptable to changing needs, protocols and environments.

The ultimate goal of SDR is to provide a single radio transceiver capable of playing the roles of the cordless telephone, mobile phone, wireless fax, wireless e-mail system, pager, wireless videoconferencing unit, wireless Web browser, Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, and other functions, operable from any location.

The FCC’s approval gives the go-ahead to Vanu, a software development company, for a cellular base station transmitter. Vanu’s Radio GSM Base Station, which is based on a HP ProLiant server running Linux coupled with ADC Telecommunications’ Digivance radio subsystem, can support multiple cellular technologies and frequencies at the same time and can be modified in the future without any hardware changes. The technology has the potential to lower costs and provide new flexibility in wireless networks, thereby changing the entire cost structure over time. The first users will be military and public safety officials.

Fish & Richardson Wins Patent Infringement Jury Trial for Brooktrout, Inc.

Press Release Source: Brooktrout, Inc.

Fish & Richardson Wins Patent Infringement Jury Trial for Brooktrout, Inc.
Tuesday November 16, 8:00 am ET


MARSHALL, Tex., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A federal jury in Marshall, Texas has found in favor of Fish & Richardson's client, Brooktrout, Inc., in a patent infringement dispute over the inbound routing of faxes over computer networks.
The five man, five woman jury found that Eicon Networks, Inc. of Plano, Texas and Eicon Networks Corp. of Montreal, Canada infringed Brooktrout's patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 5,488,651 and 5,291,546), which protect a key technology provided by Brooktrout's TR114 and TR1034 intelligent fax boards that allows corporations to route faxes directly to e-mail based on an ordinary telephone number. The jury reached its verdict on November 12th after a 5-day trial heard by federal judge T. John Ward in the Eastern District of Texas.

"We are very pleased that the jury recognized what we've been saying since 2003: that Brooktrout's patents are valid and are being infringed by Eicon," says Robert Hillman, lead counsel for Brooktrout and a principal in Fish & Richardson's Boston office. "Patent trials are an important mechanism for validating the contributions made by inventors to the country's technology. The result here will allow Brooktrout to distinguish its TR Series products in the marketplace based on its patented inventions."

Brooktrout was also represented by Steven Katz, a principal in Fish & Richardson's Boston office and by Sam Baxter, a shareholder in the Marshall, Texas office of McKool Smith, P.C. Eicon was represented by Barbara Moore of Edwards and Angell.

About Fish & Richardson

Fish & Richardson is a national law firm with over 300 attorneys in eight offices serving clients in three core areas: intellectual property, litigation, and corporate law. The firm handles more patent litigation than any other law firm in the world. More information is available at http://www.fr.com.

About Brooktrout

Brooktrout, Inc., (Nasdaq: BRKT - News) headquartered in Needham, MA, delivers communications hardware and software products that enable applications for the New Network -- a Network born through the marriage of the telephone and data networks. Brooktrout, Inc.'s mission is to collaborate with its partners so they can bring innovative solutions to market quickly, increase business and expand into new markets. Brooktrout believes that a solid focus on customers, significant first-to-market products and key acquisitions are making it a partner of choice for today's hottest communications service and enterprise application providers. For more information, visit http://www.brooktrout.com/investor.

Contact:
Amy Blumenthal
Blumenthal & Associates
617-879-1511




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Source: Brooktrout, Inc.

Brooktrout fax boards may be purchased at SNAPS, one of the largest fax server integrators in the U.S.