Monday, January 26, 2009

Azimuth joins LTE group pushing its 4G mobile standard

By Mass High Tech staff

Acton-based wireless broadband test equipment maker Azimuth Systems Inc. says that it has been selected to join the Long Term Evolution/System Architecture Evolution Trial Initiative (LSTI), a global, collaborative technology trial initiative focused on advancing the Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, a proposal for the next generation of mobile broadband.

Azimuth brings wireless broadband and channel emulators to the LSTI, which will give participants an inside look into networks using the LTE standard. In the coming year, the LSTI will focus on proof of concept, interoperability and trials regarding LTE throughout 2009, with the first commercial deployments of the technology expected for 2010.

LTE is a fourth generation wireless broadband standard expected to provide speed and efficiency close to broadband networks over a wireless infrastructure.

Azimuth began as a maker of wi-fi testing gear in 2002, but over the past few years has moved into other radio frequency testing applications, including WiMAX and LTE. The company has raised more than $31 million in private funding, and counts Kodiak Venture Partners and North Bridge Venture Partners, both of Waltham, as primary backers.