Qualcomm beefs up small cell portfolio

Chipmaker Qualcomm has strengthened its small cell portfolio by acquiring a firm that specialises in modem and system design for base stations and high-speed wireless backhaul infrastructure.

Israel-based DesignArt Networks offers system-on-chip (SoC) and software products that enable the design of indoor and outdoor small cell base stations and remote radio heads, which allow operators to expand the data capacity of their networks.

DesignArt’s technology also offers integrated line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight wireless backhaul to reduce the cost of outdoor small cell deployments.

Qualcomm said that the acquisition will enable its networking customers and operators to benefit from the efficient integration of small cell and wifi technologies with various wireless and fixed line backhaul options.

“Operators can significantly improve user experience across residential, enterprise and outdoor networks given the greater network efficiencies derived by implementing small cells and heterogeneous networks,” said Craig Barratt, president of Qualcomm Atheros.

He added that DesignArt and its products will both enhance and accelerate the firm’s initiatives to drive increased capacity and coverage in mobile networks.

Qualcomm’s existing portfolio includes small cell base station technologies and wifi, ethernet and passive optical networking (PON) connectivity solutions.