InterDigital and imec Target Small Cell Backhaul With Phased Array Technology Agreement

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS 2014 -- InterDigital, Inc. IDCC, a wireless research and development company, and nano-electronics research center imec, today announced an agreement to develop 60 GHz millimeter wave (mmW) radio and phased array technology for small cell backhaul and 5G wireless communications. The technology will enable easier deployments for small cell mobile backhaul resulting in lower cost solutions for high-speed data delivery.

Imec will work with InterDigital's 5G research team to develop a high gain, wideband radio and phased array antenna with fast electrical steering in azimuth and elevation. This fourth generation of imec's phased array antenna technology will be combined with InterDigital's directional mesh backhaul and 5G access link technologies on InterDigital's mmW Hotspot Demonstration Platform.  The platform is being designed for gigabit per second rates across small cell backhaul radio links.

Existing mmW solutions for backhaul are fixed point-to-point, resulting in costly installation expenses for installers to align links, and capital expenditures for additional radios for each connection.  InterDigital and imec will provide radio and phased array technologies to combine the high gain needed to close mmW links with the rapid beam steering that enables reliable and cost-effective mesh network small cell backhaul solutions.

"Phased array antennas are a cornerstone to mmW wireless evolution and we are very excited to be collaborating with imec's world-renowned research team. I'm confident that their mmW technology, and the expertise of their researchers, will be a great complement to InterDigital's 5G development projects," said Doug Castor, Principal Engineer, InterDigital Labs.

"Imec's R&D on 60GHz phased-array radios has resulted in small CMOS-based solutions with record low power consumption for 802.11ad/WiGiG. Our collaboration with InterDigital builds on our established technology track record and reflects the value of our expertise. Together, we aim at leveraging our expertise for outdoor backhaul solutions," stated Liesbet Van der Perre, program director, wireless communication at imec. "This collaboration is a reinforcement of our strategy to bring attractive implementations for 5G terminals and networks to the industry."

InterDigital and imec completed a successful millimeter wave backhaul feasibility study in 2013. The new agreement represents InterDigital's continuing collaboration in 5G with internationally recognized industry and university partners.

Imec is exhibiting at Mobile World Conference 2014 (MWC 2014) in Barcelona, Spain (February 24-28) – for more information, visit us in Hall 7 - Booth G071. InterDigital technology will be featured at InterDigital's pavilion in Hall 7 Stand 7A71.

This press release can be downloaded at http://www2.imec.be/be_en/press/imec-news/imec-interdigital-60GHz.html

About InterDigital^®

InterDigital develops technologies that are at the core of mobile devices, networks, and services worldwide. We solve many of the industry's most critical and complex technical challenges, inventing solutions for more efficient broadband networks and a richer multimedia experience years ahead of market deployment. InterDigital has licenses and strategic relationships with many of the world's leading wireless companies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on NASDAQ and is included in the S&P MidCap 400^® index.

InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.

For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com.

About imec

Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, India and Japan. Its staff of over 2,080 people includes more than 670 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2012, imec's revenue (P&L) totaled 320 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be. Stay up to date about what's happening at imec with the monthly imec magazine, available for tablets and smartphones (as an app for iOS and Android), or via the website www.imec.be/imecmagazine

Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a "stichting van openbaar nut"), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.) and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.) and imec India (Imec India Private Limited).