EAST BRUNSWICK, New Jersey – February 15, 2011 - Aricent, a global innovation, technology, and services company focused exclusively on communications, today announced the launch of its LTE eNodeB reference framework (eNBF), optimized for high-performance processors from Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. The reference software framework has been optimized on Freescale’s industry leading QorIQ™ platform of communications processors. This joint solution from Aricent and Freescale has been specifically designed to help Telecom Equipment Manufacturers (TEMs) deliver high-performance base stations of multiple form-factors, including femto, pico, and macro.

With more than 200 LTE deployments planned and over 25 LTE networks already in commercial service, there is a strong need for high-capacity, yet cost-effective, LTE base stations of all form factors. The Aricent-Freescale reference framework includes Layer 2 and Layer 3 software from Aricent, which is optimized on Freescale’s QorIQ P2020 processor and integrated with Layer 1 software on Freescale’s MSC8156 DSP platform. Additionally, the reference platform is also planned for availability on the recently announced QorIQ Qonverge™ platform from Freescale to support multiple configurations of femto, pico, micro, and macro networks. The reference framework supports both the Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) modes of operation on LTE.

"Today, TEMs need to rapidly innovate and deliver a future-proof portfolio of LTE base station products that support multiple protocols, performance requirements, and cell sizes," said Preet Virk, director, Networking Segment at Freescale. "Combining Freescale’s comprehensive portfolio of multi-mode processors with future-proof software components from Aricent can help TEMs optimize R&D efficiency and deliver an exceptional product portfolio based on a common, highly-scalable architecture."

"With several LTE rollouts and trials currently in progress, TEMs are seeing the need for a wider range of eNodeB equipment to address the unique requirements of global operators," explains Rakesh Vij, vice president at Aricent. "Aricent is excited to collaborate with Freescale to deliver its proven and compelling software framework on this new range of processors, which helps TEMs accelerate delivery of innovative base stations in this highly competitive and strategic LTE market."

The Aricent-Freescale reference software platform will be on display at the 2011 Mobile World Congress. Onsite technicians will showcase the performance of Aricent’s Layer 2 and Layer 3 software on hardware from Freescale. More details can be found at the Aricent booth (#F38 in Hall 1).