Picochip has announced support for Iub network architectures to its recently-launched picoXcell PC333 HSPA+ device, and plans for an optimized dual-mode LTE/HSPA+ basestation.

Dual mode platform supporting both LTE and HSPA+ will allow operators to deploy “small cells” that are ready for the move to LTE.

“With the PC333 SoC and support for Iub, Picochip can address that desire. Moving to address the public access market is a logical next step for Picochip, and the femtocell ecosystem as a whole. Femtocells already outnumber conventional macrocells in the United States, meaning that Picochip’s baseband is very widely deployed, proven and trusted,” said Dimitris Mavrakis, Senior Analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media.

In bringing together its PC333 product for HSPA+ and its recently announced PC500 LTE platform, Picochip  now offers an optimized solution for designers of dual mode (LTE and HSPA+) ‘small cell’ basestations.

“It doesn’t matter if you describe them as femtocells, picocells or small cell basestations. What’s important is the fact that the Picochip product portfolio addresses all these different segments, from cost-sensitive residential chips already shipping in very high volumes, through to high-performance public access, all with our field-proven, robust PHY. Adding support for Iub and LTE is part of that, with a path to an integrated single chip dual-mode basestation,” said Rupert Baines, VP Marketing at Picochip.