Press Room
Xtendwave Awarded U.S. Department of Agriculture SBIR Grant
Date: 06.10.10
Company continues to gain support of government agencies looking for rural broadband technology solution; will carry out field t
DALLAS--(June 10, 2010)--Xtendwave, the technology company dedicated to changing the economics of delivering broadband signals over existing telecommunications networks today announced receipt of a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in order to carry out field testing of Xtendwave's patented Adaptive Filter Bank Modulation™ (AFBM™) technology.
The award comes as the USDA and the Commerce Department continue to seek technology solutions to the rural broadband challenge, wherein an estimated 15 million homes in the U.S. cannot receive broadband service today. Both departments have been administering the $7 billion Rural Broadband Initiative, and have been involved in the FCC’s latest National Broadband Plan. The challenge of connecting 15 million rural or unserved locations to the Internet requires that new technologies for existing copper networks be created to increase broadband service rate and reach.
Xtendwave’s solution will provide DSL modem chipsets, enabled by its patented Adaptive Filter Bank Modulation Technology™ (AFBM™), to DSL equipment providers whose customers are the world’s DSL service providers. The AFBM™ enabled DSL equipment resides at the ends of existing phone lines (on Line Cards and CPE modems), providing the extended reach needed in rural locations , without additional fiber optics, trenching, or repeaters.
The Phase 1 project will carry out field testing of Xtendwave’s technology, in collaboration with Network Communications Incorporated of Longview Texas, and establish proof-of-concept that population density will no longer be a determinant of access to broadband service. Network Communications is an established provider of rural telecommunications and represents the type of service provider for whom AFBM™ becomes the most viable and cost-effective solution to offering its rural customers DSL broadband service.
In addition, Xtendwave's technology will serve directly as an economic stimulus, helping to revive the now-stagnant world of telecommunications equipment and service providers, and help breathe new life into existing networks and systems. Many new jobs will be created in sales, service, support, and research around Xtendwave's technology, in response to both rural based U.S. demand and the significant demand for such technology worldwide.
“Let us first declare that rumors of the death of copper networks for broadband are greatly exaggerated. In fact, Xtendwave is leading the renaissance of copper network technology, and we continue to receive validation from the scientific and government organizations who recognize the market and societal needs for solutions like AFBM™. We are pleased that the USDA recognized the merit in our technology and we intend to demonstrate its effectiveness and applicability,” said Mort Aaronson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xtendwave. “This award brings us closer to the promise of broadband ubiquity by enabling a broadband signal to be transmitted to virtually every phone line in the U.S. with dial tone. In addition, with a large worldwide demand for AFBM™ solutions, we see an opportunity that will allow us to continue to add jobs and help to stimulate the US telecommunications sector.”
About Xtendwave
Xtendwave develops technology that improves broadband DSL service by increasing the speed, capacity and distance of signals traveling over existing copper phone lines. Xtendwave's technology enables service providers to far surpass the limits of their existing xDSL services, without the expense of adding new infrastructure. The company is based in Dallas, Texas and consists of former technology and business executives from Texas Instruments, MCI, KN Energy, Qwest, Cincinnati Bell, Marconi and Siemens. More Information is available at: http://www.xtendwave.com.
About Network Communications
Network Communications, based in Longview, Texas, and with over 20 years of telecom experience, is locally owned and operated and is able to provide a higher level of service to its customers by better understanding their needs. Customers deserve a local telecom service that’s staffed by trained knowledgeable people that care and one that speaks their language. Network Communications recognizes that customers want competitively priced products but at the same time need products that can add real benefits. More information at http://www.networkcommunications.com
Dallas-based Xtendwave Granted Patent for Technology Improving Broadband DSL Availability and Perfo
Date: 06.09.10
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xtendwave, a technology company dedicated to changing the economics of delivering broadband signals over existing telecommunications networks, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trade Office approved issuance of the company’s patent application on the topic "Multichannel Wavelet Codec."
Xtendwave provides semiconductor technology that improves broadband service by increasing the speed, capacity and distance of signals traveling over existing copper phone lines. Xtendwave’s technology enables service providers to expand service past the limits of their existing xDSL networks, using the same infrastructure. Xtendwave's technology will result in cost-effective delivery of broadband service, particularly in rural and remote locations with phone lines extending past 12,000 feet from a telecom central office. Xtendwave's development work is well aligned with the Federal Governments' objectives, under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) of expanding broadband access and adoption in communities across the U.S., which will increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits.
This new patent covers enhanced methods for the modulation and encoding of DSL signals, and adaptively adjusting to channel conditions, resulting in improved performance of the company's AFBMTM (Adaptive Filter Bank ModulationTM) technology. The new issuance, in addition to Xtendwave's four issued patents, provides further patent protection for implementations of the company's technology. With the methods covered by the company's patent portfolio, telecom equipment using Xtendwave's chips will be able to cover twice the area with broadband service, compared to existing DSL standards, and based on distance of subscribers from a telecom central office.
“Patent approval is a major milestone in substantiating and bringing to market Xtendwave’s solution to dramatically improve broadband service delivery, particularly in unserved and underserved locations in the U.S.,” said Mort Aaronson, Chairman and CEO of Xtendwave. “Additionally, broadband providers and millions of subscribers worldwide will benefit from better broadband signals that travel further.”
Xtendwave's approved patents cover key aspects of Xtendwave's implementation of its AFBMTM technology, which employs wavelet-transform signal processing methods. In addition to the approved patents, Xtendwave has additional patents pending covering both the core technology and its application to various transmission media. Xtendwave will offer devices for incorporation into DSL line cards and CPE modems, as well as providing licensed IP to key customers.
The issuance of this patent expands Xtendwave’s portfolio of its existing approved patents pertaining to AFBM™ technology. “With these patents in place, Xtendwave is poised to achieve several goals with an upside for all industry participants,” said Dr. Dennis I. Robbins, Xtendwave's chief operating officer. “Xtendwave will help telecommunications companies compete into the future, help satisfy customer and regulator demand for broadband ubiquity, help equipment providers use and monetize spare DSLAM slots, and help equipment manufacturers develop relevant new products for the vast telecom market.”
Xtendwave is a Dallas, Texas based company with patented technologies that greatly increase data speed and greatly reduce distance limitations for data communications technologies. More can be found at: www.xtendwave.com
Xtendwave and SMU Win Prestigious National Science Foundation SBIR Grant
Date: 11.23.09
Xtendwave™ and SMU are Awarded a National Science Foundation SBIR Grant for Development of DSL Performance
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xtendwave, the technology company dedicated to changing the economics of delivering broadband signals over existing telecommunications networks, and Southern Methodist University (SMU) today announced receipt by Xtendwave of a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation in order to drive the development of Xtendwave's patented Adaptive Filter Bank Modulation (AFBM™) technology for commercial use. Southern Methodist University is a subcontractor to Xtendwave under the grant.
The SBIR grant will be used to bring to market semiconductor chips that will enable copper network transmission equipment to send DSL, T1, and other copper network transmission signals farther and faster than is possible with today’s copper network technologies.
Xtendwave's innovative technology provides for more efficient utilization of the ubiquitous copper wire landline infrastructure in order to expand broadband access to unserved locations and offer a significant increase in throughput and subscriber area coverage compared to existing solutions, without the expense of digging trenches or adding repeaters. Most importantly, this will allow consumers in rural and underserved areas, where the only form of broadband access may be a satellite link of extended latency and high subscription costs, to obtain low-cost broadband access at data-rates above the U.S. Government's broadband target of 1Mbps to American households and businesses.
This project enables improved accessibility of internet-based education and commerce in underserved areas and the enhanced capability to conduct business from residential and office locations in suburban and rural locations.
“We are excited that the National Science Foundation’s saw merit in our technology and awarded us this SBIR grant’ said Mort Aaronson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xtendwave. “This award brings us closer to the promise of broadband ubiquity by enabling a broadband signal to be transmitted to virtually every phone line in the US with dial tone. In addition, with a large worldwide demand for this breakthrough, we see an opportunity that will allow us to continue to add jobs and help to stimulate the US telecommunications sector.”
"Southern Methodist University is very pleased to participate in the R&D work enabled by this grant, and appreciates the National Science Foundation's support of our joint work with Xtendwave that will result in expanded broadband service to many Americans," said Dr. Dinesh Rajan, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Southern Methodist University’s Bobby Lyle School of Engineering, and a researcher on the SBIR project.
About Xtendwave
Xtendwave develops technology that improves broadband DSL service by increasing the speed, capacity and distance of signals traveling over existing copper phone lines. Xtendwave's technology enables service providers to far surpass the limits of their existing xDSL services, without the expense of adding new infrastructure.
The company is based in Dallas, Texas and consists of former technology and business executives from Texas Instruments, MCI, KN Energy, Qwest, Cincinnati Bell, Marconi and Siemens. More Information is available at: www.xtendwave.com.
About Southern Methodist University (SMU)
A private university located in the heart of Dallas, SMU is building on the vision of its founders, who imagined a distinguished center for learning emerging from the spirit of the city. Today, nearly 11,000 students benefit from the national opportunities and international reach afforded by the quality of SMU’s seven degree-granting schools.
Xtendwave™ Announces Key Additions to Senior Management Team
Date: 10.29.09
Company Adds Veteran Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Technology Officer
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xtendwave, the technology company dedicated to changing the economics of delivering broadband signals over existing telecommunications networks, today announced that it has added Dr. Dennis I. Robbins, Ph.D., as its Chief Operating Officer, Ian Dix as its Chief Marketing Officer, and Dr. Oren Eliezer, Ph.D., as its Chief Technology Officer. The group joins Mort Aaronson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Marc Landry, Executive Vice President of Business Development as the leadership team that will help commercialize Xtendwave’s revolutionary patented technology, Adaptive Filter Bank Modulation (AFBM™).
The three executives have a wealth of business and technology experience as senior managers in large technology and Internet service provider companies. Each is expected to bring expertise to the disciplines needed to integrate AFBM™ into DSL equipment, cable TV equipment, and T1 equipment in order to dramatically improve the rate and reach of copper network services, such as DSL, coaxial cable TV, and T1 Internet access.
Dr. Dennis Robbins, Ph.D., has 32 years experience in the semiconductor and technology industries and held a variety of management and executive roles at Texas Instruments. As a Vice President of Texas Instruments, he managed the worldwide manufacturing operations for TI’s analog and mixed-signal products, supporting $4 billion in TI revenue, and earlier served as a business unit manager for a $400M/year business. More recently he has co-founded startups in the biomedical field and in technology commercialization, and serves on the boards of directors and advisory boards of numerous technology-related businesses. He has served for five years as an SBIR reviewer for the National Science Foundation.
Ian Dix, is a 20 year veteran of telecommunications, having served as the Chief Marketing Officer of SafeNet, Cincinnati Bell/Broadwing, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Management for Qwest, and as Senior Vice President of Marketing for LCI International. Mr. Dix also served for 10 years at MCI, where he held various junior executive positions in product marketing and management.
Dr. Oren Eliezer, Ph.D. has over 20 years of experience in the design and productization of digital communications systems and chips for telecom and wireless applications, both as a co-founder at Butterfly Communications, and at Texas Instruments, which acquired Butterfly in 1999. His experience also includes the development and deployment of telephony systems targeted at rural areas. He has authored/coauthored 30 journal/conference papers on communication system design and productization, given over 15 invited public tutorials, seminars and talks, and is author/coauthor of 29 patents and patents-pending.
“With our groundbreaking technology patented and with the continued confidence of our investors, Xtendwave now has the team that will lead us to success in commercializing AFBM™ technology and revolutionizing copper network services,” said Aaronson. “Dennis, Ian, and Oren have a wealth of senior leadership experience that will serve us well in working with our partners to deliver faster and farther DSL service, as well as open the new markets of T1 backhaul and cable TV rate and reach improvements. I look forward to working with them and their contributions to our continued success.”
About Xtendwave
Xtendwave provides semiconductor technology that improves broadband DSL service by increasing the speed, capacity and distance of signals traveling over existing copper phone lines. Xtendwave's technology enables service providers to far surpass the limits of their existing xDSL services without re-engineering, replacing or upgrading their existing network infrastructure. In addition, the company’s patented AFBM™ technology may be ported to other media, such as coaxial, and is expected to provide similar significant improvements in both rate and reach for those communication media.
The company is based in Dallas, Texas and consists of former technology and business executives Texas Instruments, MCI, KN Energy, Qwest, Cincinnati Bell, Marconi and Siemens. More Information is available at: www.xtendwave.com