HP Introduces Custom Network-timing Solution for Wireless Base Stations; Network-timing Solution Delivers Low-cost Performance and Reliability

Business Wire, June 17, 1996

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17,1996--To meet the needs of manufacturers building next-generation base stations for cellular, personal communication services (PCS) and paging companies, Hewlett-Packard Company today introduces an affordable custom-timing synchronization module for wireless networks. The new HP 58000 Series custom-timing module, based on breakthrough network timing and synchronization technology, helps eliminate blocked or dropped calls caused by poor timing and helps eliminate the bothersome static and cross talk that occur when two cellular callers overhear each other's conversation.

The new module is part of HP's line of affordable timing and synchronization solutions designed to enhance the reliability and accuracy of today's high-speed digital communication networks. (See related press release: "HP Unveils Low-cost Timing Solutions for Digital Communication Networks.")

The HP 58000 Series provides precise timing or frequency to help wireless service providers deliver quality service to subscribers on networks using code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA) or analog and paging technologies. The module is built on HP SmartClock technology, which adds intelligence to the base station's frequency-reference source and/or holdover clock. Combined with Global Positioning System (GPS) precise time and HP's highly reliable quartz oscillator, it achieves near-cesium quality at one-tenth the cost of cesium or near-rubidium quality at one-third its cost.

Since the 1960s, cesium and rubidium have been used as elements in atomic clocks to synchronize time. Cesium is the world's most accurate type of atomic clock, while the metallic element rubidium costs less but also is far less precise. HP is the worldwide leader in cesium-based atomic clocks.

Using HP SmartClock technology, HP has improved the reliability of the GPS timing system. When locked to a reference signal, HP SmartClock technology compares the frequency of the unit's oscillator to the reference signal and uses this information to adjust the oscillator's frequency to match the reference signal. HP SmartClock technology automatically switches a node's timing system to intelligent holdover mode if the reference signal is lost and also evaluates GPS information to eliminate incorrect signal data. This helps make wireless networks more reliable.

AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE SOLUTIONS

Leveraging its expertise in quartz technology and atomic-clock development, HP designed the 58000 Series as an affordable and reliable solution for cellular-network problems such as soft handoffs, which occur when a mobile call gets passed from one base station to another. HP designs modules that meet or exceed the performance of any standard. For example, HP can design modules that perform to within 1 microsecond when locked to GPS and plus or minus 7 microseconds when unlocked. This exceeds the performance required by the IS 95 specification. It also produces the precise timing needed to avoid dropped or blocked calls as network capacity and subscriber bases increase. Additionally, it helps eliminate the need to perform what can be time-consuming and costly base-station maintenance.

For paging networks, the accurate timing of the HP 58000 Series helps eliminate the risk of delays in transmission during peak hours despite increases in customer loads. By adding more accurate timing, paging network operators can use existing frequency bands and base stations to handle a higher number of pages and customers.

WORKING TOGETHER

Drawing on its decades of experience building the world's most reliable quartz oscillator and most accurate, commercially available cesium clocks, HP engineers work closely with the research and development teams of equipment manufacturers to meet their specific module requirements for space, power and configurations at a low cost. In addition, HP responds to customer requests for custom features such as integrating customized-switching schemes or adding special frequencies.

"Today, manufacturers are under intense pressure to quickly design and deliver turnkey, trouble-free base stations to wireless carriers," said J. Martin Neil, general manager of HP's Santa Clara Division. "By outsourcing their critical-timing subsystems to HP, manufacturers have access to our industry-leading time-and-frequency engineering team to help them create affordable and reliable solutions."

Base-station manufacturer Qualcomm Inc., developer of CDMA technology and one of HP's first high-volume customers, outsourced its timing subsystem to HP. Qualcomm says it believes outsourcing saved its engineers months of design time and helped them to get products to market more quickly.

"To take something as complex as a timing receiver and have somebody else take ownership of it was a huge advantage to us," said Bruce Judson, director of engineering for Qualcomm. "It allowed us to maximize our engineering resources for other critical tasks."